Playbill’s photo series Inside the Theatre captures the dazzling architecture and unseen details of the world’s most famous theatres, taking you inside all 41 of the Broadway houses.
Producer and playwright George Howells Broadhurst opened the theatre, designed by Herbert J. Krapp, on September 27, 1917. Broadhurst opened the venue in partnership with the Shubert brothers, and the theatre remains under the ownership of the Shubert Organization.
Flip through photos of the theatre below:
Named after Anglo-American playwright George H. Broadhurst, the Broadhurst Theatre opened in 1917 in partnership with the Shubert brothers.
Designed by theatre architect Herbert J. Krapp as his first independent work, the theatre was created with a 1,155 seating capacity (later augmented to 1,186) as well as a wide auditorium that offer unobstructed views of the stage.
The theatre opened on September 27, 1917 with Broadway debut of George Bernard Shaw’s Misalliance, starring Macyln Arbuckle.
A year later, the theatre had its first hit, Ladies First, a musical about a suffragette who runs for mayor against her boyfriend.
The theatre was one of the few theatre that faced continued success during the great depression, with the theatre hosting works by George S. Kaufman, Rodgers and Hart, and more.
In addition, the venue flourished with productions from the Group Theatre, known for company members and legendary acting pioneers Lee Strasberg, Stella Adler, and more.
Throughout its history, the theatre has been the home to many iconic musicals including the Tony Award-winning Broadway debut of Cabaret, Grease, Kiss of the Spider Woman, and more.
The theatre also so iconic performances from actors in plays such as Ian McKellen in Amadeus, Dustin Hoffman in Death of a Salesman, Patrick Stewart in The Tempest, and more.
Broadhurst Theatre auditorium
Broadhurst Theatre auditorium
Broadhurst Theatre auditorium
Broadhurst Theatre lobby
Broadhurst Theatre lobby
The Broadhurst Theatre is currently home to Anastasia, which opened on Broadway April 24, 2017.
