Bonus: The Booth Theatre, 1913
The Booth Theatre was designed as a back-to-back pair with the Shubert Theatre. Though the two have completely different interiors, the Broadway theaters share a Venetian Renaissance facade. The venue was built from scratch in 1913. The first show to open at the Booth Theatre was a 1915 production of “Our American Cousin.” The theater’s 783-seat auditorium is considered small for Broadway theaters. The intent was to provide an intimate setting for dramatic and comedic plays.
The theater was named in honor of the 19th-century actor Edwin Booth, brother of Abraham Lincoln’s assassin John Wilkes Booth. Currently showing at the Booth Theatre is “ Gary: A Sequel to Titus Andronicus,” starring Nathan Lane. Other notable premieres at the Booth Theatre include “You Can’t Take It With You” (1936), “Once on This Island” (1990), “Next to Normal” (2009) and “Hand to God” (2015).
The Shubert Theatre, 1913
The Shubert Organization obtained this building in 1911 and architect William Albert Swasey redesigned the building as a theater alongside the Booth Theatre. The building was named after Sam S. Shubert, American producer and second oldest of the Shubert family. The building design features a Venetian-inspired facade, furnished with sgraffito ornament. The Shubert and Booth are connected by a private road, Shubert Alley, which is connected to the Times Square Theater.
The first show to open at the Shubert Theatre was a 1913 production of Shakespeare’s “Hamlet.” The top floor of the building houses the offices of the Shubert Organization. The theater’s auditorium was restored in 1996 and has been designated a New York City landmark. The Shubert Theatre has been a recurring venue for the Tonys, though in recent years the event has taken place in Radio City Music Hall. The venue was also featured in the 1950 Academy Award-winning film “All About Eve.” Currently playing at the Shubert Theatre is “To Kill a Mockingbird”.
Gritty Old Times Square Tour
Next, check out 15 of NYC’s Lost and Demolished Grand Theatres
This article was written by Patricia Whyte