4. Ambassador Theatre
The Krapp-designed Ambassador Theatre at 219 West 49th Street is a smaller venue that fits 1,114. The interior is actually situated diagonally on its site to fit the maximum number of seats possible, which is not visible from the rather standard exterior. The theater opened on February 11, 1921 with a performance of the musical The Rose Girl.
The property was sold in 1935, and for two decades it served as both a movie theater and a television studio for NBC and the DuMont Television Network. It was repurchased by the Shuberts, who then converted it back into a theater, kicking off with a stage adaptation of The Diary of Anne Frank. Notable productions in the landmarked space included Godspell in 1977, Dreamgirls revival in 1987, and Bring in ‘da Noise, Bring in ‘da Funk in 1996. Since 2003, the theater has housed Chicago, which reopened on September 14.