Unspecified/General

The largest theatre on Broadway, the Gershwin seats close to 1,933 people and has the scale to match the spectacle of big modern musicals. It occupies the lower floors of a tower on West 51st Street and opened in 1972 as the Uris Theatre, part of a wave of construction that replaced older venues lost to redevelopment in the area. Its early years were mixed, but the house found its footing as a home for large-scale productions and concerts. In 1983 it was renamed in honour of the brothers George and Ira Gershwin, the composer and lyricist whose songs shaped American musical theatre, and the lobby holds a Theatre Hall of Fame whose walls carry the names of stage luminaries. The auditorium's sweeping, curved design and generous sightlines were built for grandeur rather than intimacy. Since 2003 the Gershwin has been occupied by Wicked, the blockbuster prequel to The Wizard of Oz, whose mechanical dragon looms over the proscenium and whose long run has made it one of the highest-grossing productions in Broadway history. The theatre's size and stage machinery make it well suited to such effects-heavy shows, and over the years it has also hosted the Tony Awards ceremony. For audiences the Gershwin offers a true big-house experience, with a vast orchestra and balcony and a foyer that fills with crowds before curtain. It sits a block from the heart of Times Square among the cluster of theatres along Seventh and Eighth Avenues, an easy walk from the transit hub and the district's restaurants. Tickets are sold through the resident production, and its sheer capacity often means better last-minute availability than the smaller houses nearby. The lobby's Theatre Hall of Fame, its walls inscribed with the names of Broadway's most celebrated figures, is worth a look before the lights dim. The house's sheer size has made it a frequent venue for the Tony Awards ceremony, and its deep stage and rigging accommodate the elaborate sets and flying effects of large productions. For all its scale, the curved design keeps sightlines generally good across the orchestra and the sweeping balcony above.

Type: Tourist Attraction

Address: 222 W 51st St, New York City, NY, United States

Capacity: 1933

Opening Date: 28/11/1972