Show Finder
Lyric Theatre
Website:
www.lyricbroadway.com
Address
213 West 42nd Street
New York City, NY 10036
Public Transport
Accessibility
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Box Office
The box office has two locations, one on 42nd Street and one on 43rd Street. Both are on street level and feature one counter that is at an accessible height. -
Curb Ramps
There are curb ramps available at the corner of 42nd Street and 7th Avenue as well as 42nd Street and 8th Avenue. -
Restroom
There is one accessible restroom in the house left entrance vestibule. Additional accessible restrooms are located on the dress circle level. -
Elevator/Escalator
An elevator is available on the 42nd Street side of the venue that can be used to access the dress circle level. -
Entrance
There are entrances to the Lyric Theatre on 42nd and 43rd Street, with a preferred accessible entrance on 42nd Street. Entrance to the building is at street level. -
Visual Assistance
Vision seats are available for purchase please dial 212-556-4700 and follow the prompts for Accessibility information. -
Folding Armrests
Transferable seats are available in select orchestra and dress circle locations. These seats can be arranged by dialing 212-556-4700 and following the prompts for Accessibility information. -
Water Fountain
None -
Wheelchair Info
Patrons requiring wheelchair accessible seats can purchase tickets online at HarryPotterBroadway.com or by calling 855-551-9777.
Theater Description
The theatre was built in 1996-98 on the site of the former Apollo and Lyric Theatres. The Lyric was built in 1903 and hosted such notable shows as Cole Porter's Fifty Million Frenchmen until it was converted to a movie theatre in 1934. The Apollo, constructed in 1920 by the Selwyn Brothers to a design by Eugene De Rosa, housed the Gershwin musical Strike Up the Band and George White's Scandals, among other works, but was also turned into a film venue by the early 1930s. A brief return to use as a legitimate theatre in the late 1970s proved unsuccessful, and the venue ended its existence as a nightclub.By the early 1990s, after being neglected and falling into serious disrepair, both theatres were condemned. They were among the 42nd Street theatres repossessed by the City and State of New York in 1990, and fell under the protection of the New 42nd Street organization in 1992.
In 1996, the theatres were leased by Livent and demolished. However, certain major architectural elements and structures were protected under landmark status; these were carefully removed from the buildings, stored, and incorporated into the new theatre. Today, patrons visiting the theatre sit under the dome from the Lyric and proscenium arch from the Apollo, and pass through the ornate Lyric facades on 43rd and 42nd Streets.
The theatre opened as the Ford Center for the Performing Arts on January 26, 1998 with a musical version of E.L. Doctorow's Ragtime. In 2005, the venue was completely renovated and renamed the Hilton for the US premiere of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.
After the closing of Young Frankenstein on January 4, 2009, the theatre was vacant throughout 2009. Spider-Man was the next production to officially open. It opened on June 14, 2011 following seven months of preview performances.
