Show Finder
Gershwin Theatre
Website:
broadwaydirect.com
Address
222 West 51st Street
New York City, NY 10019
Public Transport
Accessibility
-
Box Office
Lobby is wheelchair accessible. Counter is 49.5" high -
Curb Ramps
NE corner of 51st St & 8th Ave; NW corner of 51st St & BroadwayGarage driveway -
Restroom
Women's: second floor. No steps. Doors in series (each 31"). Stall door 30.5". Commode 19.5". Men's: second floor. No steps. Door 31". Stall door 31". Commode 18". Urinal 24" -
Elevator/Escalator
There are both elevators and escalators at this theatre which go to every floor. -
Entrance
Enter through the arcade between 50th and 51st Streets. Double doors (each 33") or revolving doors into lobby. -
Visual Assistance
Vision seats in the front of the orchestra for purchase in person or on the phone. -
Water Fountain
Rear orchestra and front mezzanine. Spout 42". -
Assisted Listening System
Headsets for sound augmentation are available at the theatre, free of charge. A photo identification is required as a deposit. Copper Induction Loop also available. -
Wheelchair Info
Wheelchair seating is available in the rear orchestra section and in the mezzanine, accessible by elevator. -
Folding Armrests
There are 12 folding armrest seats in the orchestra (requires steps), 4 folding armrest seats in the mezzanine that require no steps, and 4 folding armrest seats in the mezzanine that require steps.
Theater Description
The theatre is named after composer George Gershwin and lyricist Ira Gershwin. It has the highest seating capacity of any Broadway theatre, with 1,933 seats.Designed in an Art Nouveau style by set designer Ralph Alswang, it is situated on the lower levels of a towering office complex built at an estimated cost of $12.5 million on the site of the historical Capitol Theatre. It opened as the Uris Theatre on November 28, 1972 (named for the building developer Uris Brothers) with the musical Via Galactica starring Raul Julia. It proved to be an inauspicious start for the venue, with the first show to lose a million dollars closing after only seven performances. From 1974-76 it served as a concert hall for limited engagements by a number of legendary pop music and jazz performers.
The American Theatre Hall of Fame is located in the lobby.
On June 5, 1983, during the Tony Awards ceremony, the theatre was rechristened to honor the Gershwins.
