2. Ethel Barrymore Theatre
The Ethel Barrymore Theatre was opened on December 20, 1928 at 243 West 47th Street. Constructed by the Shuberts and designed by Krapp, the theater opened with The Kingdom of God, a play selected by its namesake actress. Barrymore was often regarded as “The First Lady of the American Theatre” for her six-decade career, as well as her support for the Actors’ Equity Association and her close relationship with figures such as Winston Churchill.
The theater is the last of the Shubert theaters remaining that was built for performers affiliated with them. Barrymore starred in a number of productions in the next dozen years, including The School for Scandal. Other notable shows at the theater have included The Band’s Visit, which grossed $1,564,646 over nine performances in just one week in December 2017. The hit musical Waitress , currently playing, grossed $197,878 in ticket sales on Friday, September 3, 2021, which broke the theater’s all-time record. The theater, which in the past has put on productions of plays including A Raisin in the Sun and Betrayal, will also put on Paradise Square in 2022. Get tickets to Waitress!