Ethel Barrymore Theatre: Built for Broadway Royalty

The Ethel Barrymore Theatre is one of New York's premier venues for live entertainment. Located at 243 W 47th Street, New York, NY 10036, this broadway theater has a capacity of 1,058 and has been a fixture of the city's cultural landscape since 1928.

History of Ethel Barrymore Theatre

The Ethel Barrymore Theatre opened on December 20, 1928, with the production The Kingdom of God. Designed by Herbert J. Krapp, the theater was built specifically for and named after Ethel Barrymore, the reigning queen of the American stage and matriarch of the Barrymore acting dynasty. It is the only surviving theater built by the Shuberts specifically for a single performer.

The exterior is modeled on Roman public baths, featuring a striking two-story terra-cotta grillwork screen. Inside, the auditorium blends Elizabethan, Mediterranean, and Adamsesque design elements into one of Broadway's most elegant interiors.

The theater's production history is remarkable. A Streetcar Named Desire premiered here in 1947 with Marlon Brando and Jessica Tandy. A Raisin in the Sun, starring Sidney Poitier, opened in 1959. Other notable productions include Gay Divorce with Fred Astaire (1932), Pal Joey with Gene Kelly (1940), and The Women (1936). The Tony-winning revival of Company played here in 2006.

What's On at Ethel Barrymore Theatre

The Ethel Barrymore Theatre hosts a mix of new plays and musicals on Broadway.

• Othello Tickets (Plays)

• Harmony (Musicals)

• Joe Turner's Come and Gone (Plays)

Browse all plays in New York on tickadoo.

Seating and Accessibility

The theater seats 1,058 across two levels: Orchestra and Mezzanine. Center Orchestra seats offer the best experience. The Mezzanine is relatively close to the stage, making it a strong value option.

Wheelchair-accessible seating is available in the Orchestra. Assistive listening devices and accessible restrooms are available. An elevator provides access to the Mezzanine level.