New York City is renowned for its diversity and culture, which includes these 6 historic New York Theatres. New York City Landmarks Commissioner Elliot Wilensky said that “These theaters are more than the history of New York City… They are of the significance of the Statue of Liberty or the Brooklyn Bridge.” Take a deeper look into these 6 historic New York City Theatres and see show-stopping productions like Bad Cinderella, Wicked, The Lion King and more.
Hudson Theatre
The Hudson Theatre is one of the oldest remaining Broadway spaces, with its construction taking place from 1902 to 1903. Henry B. Harris, a popular Broadway producer, oversaw the theatre’s construction, which boasted the largest lobby on Broadway at the time. Since its debut with Cousin Kate in Oct. 1903, the Hudson Theatre has put on many great productions including Death of a Salesman, Sunday in the Park with George, Alice in Wonderland and others.
In the mid-1980s, the Hudson Theatre underwent renovations and was converted into a conference center for a hotel. It wasn’t until 2015, that the Hudson theater was restored to its original purpose as a Broadway theatre. Renovations cost $7 million and the Hudson theater reopened again in 2017. A Doll’s House has its home at this infamous venue, starring award-winning actress Jessica Chastain.
Majestic Theatre
Constructed by the Chanin Brothers in 1927, the Majestic is one of three theatres in its complex which also includes the Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre and the John Golden Theatre. Able to seat up to 1,681 guests and with two levels, the Majestic is a theatre best suited for showing musical productions thanks to its large size. For the past 35 years, the Majestic Theatre has had the honor of hosting the longest-running Broadway production, The Phantom of the Opera, whose final curtain call comes on April 16. The Majestic Theatre has presented many notable performances in its history such as The Music Man, Anyone Can Whistle and The Wiz.
Beacon Theatre
Beacon Theatre has been a prominent venue in New York since it was built in 1929. Originally designed as a movie palace, Beacon Theatre can seat up to 2,894 guests across its three levels. It wouldn’t be until 1976 that this theater was transformed into the performing arts center that it is today. In 1979 Beacon theater was designated as an NYC landmark by the NYC Landmarks Preservation Committee.
Beacon Theatre has hosted many concerts, film screenings, and award ceremonies among other events. Some prominent entertainers that have performed here include the Rolling Stones, Bonnie Raitt, and Coldplay. This theater has also served as a stage for live comedy specials by popular acts like Trevor Noah and Jerry Seinfeld.
Lyceum Theatre
Lyceum Theatre is another venue that has stood the test of time on Broadway. Opening in 1903, the Lyceum is the oldest running theater in Broadway history. While having a seating capacity of 922, the theatre has undergone several renovations in the 1980s as well as the early 2000s. Between 2003 and 2005, Lyceum Theatre had a one-million-dollar revamp to include accessible access and to fix the roof and street facade. For a full schedule and seating map, visit the Lyceum Theatre venue guide.
Its longest-running show was Born Yesterday , which premiered in 1946 and had more than 1,600 performances. Other prominent productions include several works of Shakespeare like Macbeth and The Merchant of Venice , along with the comedy The Play That Goes Wrong. The Shubert Organization’s Lyceum page documents the theatre’s continuous operation since its 1903 opening and notes its landmark interior and facade designations, supporting its status as Broadway’s longest continuously operating legitimate theatre. Read the Lyceum history on the Shubert site.
Gershwin Theatre
Originally known as the Uris Theatre in 1972, the venue’s name was changed to honor the composer Geroge Gershwin during the 1983 Tony Awards. The Gershwin also houses the Theatre Hall of Fame, which was established in 1970 to honor lifetime achievements in theater and the performing arts. With 1,933 seats, the Gershwin Theatre has showcased amazing plays, ballets and concerts with greats like Ella Fitzgerald, Bing Crosby, and Frank Sinatra. Explore upcoming performances and buy seats on TicketSmarter’s Gershwin Theatre page.
Needing a more complex set for Andrew Lloyd Weber’s Starlight Express the theatre was renovated in 1993. Wicked opened in 2003 and over the years the Gershwin theater has had productions like Fiddler on the Roof , Oklahoma! , and Sweeney Todd grace the stage. Big houses like the Gershwin are engineered to accommodate spectacle musicals with sophisticated fly systems and digital sound, giving you a powerful visual and acoustic experience. The Gershwin’s seating of roughly 1,900–1,933 explains why it is the natural home for large-scale spectacles such as Wicked, as noted on the venue’s official information page. See venue details on the Gershwin site.
Stephen Sondheim Theatre
First known as the Henry Miller Theatre, this venue was constructed in 1918, with the building’s facade built by its namesake, Henry Miller, the same year. Stephen Sondheim Theatre underwent several changes in its history, including serving as an adult entertainment theater and nightclub from the 1970s to the 1990s. The theatre itself reopened as a Broadway venue in 1998 for the revival of Cabaret.
Being in a state of disrepair, the theatre was renovated in 2000 with new seating and an AC system. In 2010, the Henry Miller Theatre became the Stephen Sondheim Theatre, celebrating the composer’s 80th birthday. With a seating capacity of 1,055, the Stephen Sondheim Theatre has put on Broadway shows for Urinetown and the Olivier Award-winning musical, & Juliet. For tickets and venue details, see the Stephen Sondheim Theatre venue page.
Why these theatres matter to NYC history
- Many of these houses date to the early 1900s, a period often called Broadway’s Golden Age for theatre construction.
- Restoration is ongoing and collaborative, sometimes involving hundreds of artisans to revive murals, plasterwork, and prosceniums.
- Landmark protections influence what can be changed inside, preserving cultural heritage while allowing modern upgrades like elevators, accessible seating, and enhanced backstage areas.
- Venue size affects programming: intimate rooms favor plays, while large auditoriums host musicals with big sets and fuller sound.
Accessibility and modern upgrades
Historic Broadway theatres balance preservation with comfort. Many offer wheelchair spaces, transfer seats, ramps, and ADA-compliant entrances. Select performances feature assistive listening, open captioning, or audio description. Backstage, renovations have modernized loading docks, dressing rooms, rehearsal areas, and rigging to handle today’s complex sets. For accessible performance info across the district, check Theatre Development Fund’s citywide resources—their Accessibility Programs and TheatreAccess.NYC list wheelchair locations, assistive listening, open captioning, audio description, ASL-interpreted and autism-friendly performances across Broadway—then secure your seats on TicketSmarter. See TDF’s Accessibility Services for details.
See an iconic production in a landmark theatre
Theatres like the New Amsterdam have also seen major turnarounds. Restored in the 1990s and reopened with a groundbreaking production, The Lion King tickets remain one of the most popular searches on TicketSmarter thanks to its acclaimed puppetry and visual design that engages the entire auditorium.
Get New York Theatre Tickets
Catch a spectacular theatre production live before it sells out when you get Broadway tickets from TicketSmarter today. If you’re not sure what to see in the Big Apple, check out our top 10 picks of 2023 Broadway debuts. You can also browse the full Broadway shows hub to compare dates, venues, and prices in one place. If you’re visiting NYC, our HotelPlanner has exclusive TicketSmarter travel deals.
FAQs
Which historic Broadway theatres in New York City are must-see for theatre history fans?
The Hudson, Lyceum, and Stephen Sondheim theatres showcase early 20th century Broadway architecture and restoration stories. Large modern houses like the Gershwin Theatre highlight how NYC venues evolved to host blockbuster musicals. You can compare schedules and buy tickets across these houses on TicketSmarter.
What unique architectural features or restorations stand out at these venues?
Look for grand lobbies, ornate prosceniums, and mural work at older houses like the Lyceum. The Hudson’s revival required extensive interior restoration, while larger venues integrate contemporary systems for lighting, sound, and rigging. TicketSmarter venue pages such as the Millennium Hudson Theatre and Lyceum Theatre include photos and seating details.
How do seating capacities compare among major historic theatres?
Capacities vary widely. The Lyceum holds about 922, the Stephen Sondheim about 1,055, the Gershwin seats approximately 1,933, and the Beacon seats about 2,894 for concerts. Larger rooms are chosen for big musicals, while smaller houses suit plays with intimate staging. Use TicketSmarter’s venue maps to pick seats that match your viewing preference.
Which historic Broadway venues hosted long-running classics and notable premieres?
The Majestic was home to The Phantom of the Opera for decades. The Gershwin has hosted Wicked since 2003. The New Amsterdam’s restoration set the stage for The Lion King, a landmark production praised for its design innovation. Find current runs on TicketSmarter’s Broadway hub.
Why are certain NYC theatres designated landmarks and how does that affect preservation?
Landmark status recognizes architectural and cultural significance and sets guardrails for alterations. It helps preserve interiors while allowing necessary upgrades for safety, accessibility, and production technology. TicketSmarter highlights landmark venues like the Beacon Theatre so you can plan a history-rich visit.
How do historic theatres accommodate modern productions with complex sets and staging?
Renovations often expand backstage areas, add elevators and improved loading, and install advanced fly systems, computerized lighting, and digital sound. Large houses like the Gershwin Theatre are designed to support high-tech, large-scale musicals. TicketSmarter seat maps help you select views that showcase these production elements.
Where can I find tickets and travel deals for shows at classic NYC theatre landmarks?
Browse shows, compare prices, and buy with TicketSmarter, then use our HotelPlanner for NYC travel deals. Start with the Broadway shows hub or go straight to venue pages like the Stephen Sondheim Theatre.
Author: TicketSmarter Editorial Team
Updated: December 17, 2025
