Inside the TheatreStep Inside Broadway’s New Amsterdam TheatreInside the Theatre, the photo feature series that documents Broadway’s historic playhouses, continues with the New Amsterdam.
Playbill’s new 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 currently operating Broadway houses.
The New Amsterdam Theatre, with its unique Art Nouveau architecture, was erected in 1903 at 214 W. 42nd Street. Most notably, Florenz Ziegfeld began presenting his legendary Follies productions there in 1913. The New Amsterdam became a New York City landmark in 1982, but the theatre’s interior was in poor condition due to the building’s damaged roof. Following a complete restoration by the Walt Disney Company, the theatre stands today as a designated New York City landmark.
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Step Inside Broadway’s New Amsterdam Theatre
Step Inside Broadway’s New Amsterdam Theatre
Inside the Theatre, the photo feature series that documents Broadway’s historic playhouses, continues with the New Amsterdam.
29 PHOTOS
Located in the heart of Times Square on 42nd Street, the New Amsterdam Theatre was built 1902-1903 by Marcus Klaw and Abraham Lincoln Erlanger.
New Amsterdam Theatre entrance lobby and the famed “Faberge Eggs” chandlers.
New Amsterdam Theatre lobby
Photo of the 1927 Ziegfeld Follies
Built with a lush Art Nouveau aesthetic, the 11-story building was designed by architects Henry Herts and Hugh Tallant, featuring two theatres as well as an elaborate lobby, staircase, murals, and more, earning the nickname “the House Beautiful”
The theatre opened October 26, 1903 with a lavish staging of Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream starring Nat C. Goodwin and William Farnum, featuring the music of Felix Mendelssohn.
Although A Midsummer Night’s Dream was a moderate success, the New Amsterdam Theatre’s first real hit arrived on October 21, 1907 with Franz Lehar’s beloved operetta The Merry Widow.
In 1913, Floren Ziegfeld began producing his annual Ziegfeld Follies revues at the theatre, showcasing comedians, singers, songwriters, and more. The famed producer would continue producing his famous shows at the theatre until 1936.
Iconic boxes each named after a flower: Carnation, Poppy, Heliotrope, Peony, Buttercup, and Tulip.
In 1993, as part of the 42nd Street Development Projection, the Walt Disney Company purchased the theatre and completed an unprecedented renovation and overhaul of the landmark building.
The official reopening of the New Amsterdam Theatre was on April 2, 1997 with a limited engagement of a concert version King David followed by the world premiere of the Disney film Hercules.
New Amsterdam Theatre auditorium
Even the lighting scones have a backstory. This lovely lady was found sealed behind an old wall with her original lightbulbs still intact.
New Amsterdam Theatre auditorium
The stage version of The Lion King first opened at the New Amsterdam Theatre November 13, 1997 before moving to the Minskoff Theatre in 2006.
New Amsterdam Theatre auditorium
Following The Lion King, Disney’s Mary Poppins opened at the New Amsterdam Theatre October 14, 2006, where it played 2,619 performances before closing in 2013.
The grand promenade emulating a bower of trees. The gold is actually aluminum leaf shellacked seven times.
New Amsterdam Theatre auditorium
New Amsterdam Theatre auditorium
New Amsterdam Theatre auditorium
New Amsterdam Theatre auditorium
New Amsterdam Theatre lounge
New Amsterdam Theatre lounge
New Amsterdam Theatre lounge
Winged victory hovers above the New Amsterdam Room. Prior to the restoration this glorious sculpture house a family of pigeons.
The New Amsterdam Theatre is presently the home of the Disney’s Aladdin, which opened on March 20, 2014.
Disney’s Aladdin currently plays the New Amsterdam Theatre. Based on the 1992 animated film, Aladdin tells the story of a street-smart commoner who longs to marry Jasmine, the princess of his dreams. With the help of a magic genie, his dreams may just be attainable—but at what price?
Allegiance and Wicked star Telly Leung currently stars in the title role on Broadway, alongside a cast that includes Major Attaway as Genie, Courtney Reed as Jasmine, and Jonathan Freeman as Jafar.
The Tony-nominated musical features music by Alan Menken, who won an Oscar for the original film score, lyrics by Howard Ashman and Tim Rice, and the book and additional lyrics by Chad Beguelin.
