August Wilson Theatre

Address

245 W 52nd St
New York, NY 10019

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Public Transport

By Subway:
The closest subway lines are the 1, C and E at 50th Street.
By Bus:
Four buses stop near the August Wilson Theatre, please take the M7, M20, M50, or M104

Accessibility

Box Office

Outer lobby of theater at street level. Counter 47".
Parking

A valet parking garage is located on 52nd Street between Broadway & 8th Avenue.
Curb Ramps

North west corner of 52nd Street & Broadway; North East corner of 52nd Street & 8th Avenue
Restroom

Womens and Mens: Accessible restroom on orchestra level near stair lift. Unisex: Door 32.5". Clear space 21" x 24"
Seating

Seats 1275. Wheelchair locations in orchestra can be reached by stair-lift. Balcony can be reached only by stairs. 8 steps down from sidewalk to entrance of theatre, 25 steps up to Orchestra level. 22 steps to Mezzanine, 19 steps up to remainder of Mezzanine, 2 steps per row. Entrance to Mezzanine behind row E.
Elevator/Escalator

There are no elevators or escalators at this theatre. A stair lift is provided for accessible entrance to the orchestra from the street level.
Telephone

Located in the box office lobby: Coin slot is 54" high. Cord is 32" long. Volume controls are available.
Entrance

Three sets double doors in series: 1st set (each 26") to outer lobby; down three steps through 2nd set (each 30"). Alternate entrance: Stair lift provides direct access from 52nd Street. Enter at doors at ground level, left of main entrance (4th set of double doors under the marquee). Lift immediately inside door. Goes directly to orchestra level. Upon arrival at theater, please contact manager or uniformed custodian on duty in theater box office lobby for assistance.
Water Fountain

The water fountain is located in lower lobby, one flight down from the orchestra (8 steps down from street level). For patrons unable to use the stairs, water will be available at the concession stand.
Assisted Listening System

Reservations are not necessary. Drivers license or ID with printed address required as a deposit. Please call: (212) 582-7678 to reserve in advance.
Wheelchair Info

Theatre is not completely wheelchair accessible. There is a stair lift that provides access from the entrance on 52nd street to the Orchestra level. Wheelchair seating is in the Orchestra only.
Translation

Translations are available in Japanese, Portuguese, Spanish and German. Reservations are required. To reserve translations and for more information, visit BroadwayTranslations or call (212) 582-7678.
Folding Armrests

Seats with folding armrests plus companion seat available for purchase online, in person, or over the phone

Theater Description

Designed by architects C. Howard Crane and Kenneth Franzheim and constructed by the Theatre Guild, it opened as the Guild Theatre in 1925 with a revival of George Bernard Shaw's Caesar and Cleopatra.

In 1943, the building was leased to WOR-Mutual Radio as a studio. The American National Theater and Academy purchased it in 1950 and renamed it the ANTA Theatre. In 1981, the theatre was purchased by Jujamcyn Theaters and named the Virginia Theatre for owner and Jujamcyn Board member Virginia McKnight Binger.

After her husband James H. Binger's death in 2004, producer and president of Jujamcyn Rocco Landesman announced that he planned to buy Jujamcyn. He told the New York Times he had a long-standing understanding with Binger that he would buy the corporation's five playhouses. The theatres had an estimated net asset value of $30 million.

On October 16, 2005, fourteen days after American playwright August Wilson's death, the theatre was renamed in his honor.

Watch a video about the August Wilson Theatre at spotlightonbroadway.com