Inside the TheatreStep Inside Broadway’s Shubert TheatreInside the Theatre, the photo feature series that documents Broadway’s historic playhouses, continues with the Shubert Theatre.
By
Hannah Vine, Marc J. Franklin
October 18, 2017
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 Broadway's currently-operating houses.
Producing team Lee and J.J. Shubert opened the Shubert Theatre, named for their late brother Sam, in 1913. Its rear pathway, intended as a fire exit and private loading zone, became known as Shubert Alley, a legendary Broadway thoroughfare and gathering place. The Shubert made history from 1975 to 1990 with A Chorus Line, whose 6,137-performance run became the longest-running Broadway show of the time.
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Step Inside Broadway’s Shubert Theatre
Step Inside Broadway’s Shubert Theatre
Inside the Theatre, the photo feature series that documents Broadway’s historic playhouses, continues with the Shubert Theatre.
20 PHOTOS
Sam S. Shubert Theatre
Located in the heart of the theatre district on West 44th Street between Broadway and 8th Avenue, the Shubert Theatre opened in 1913 in tribute to the late Sam S. Shubert.
Designed by Henry B. Harris, the theatre featured a Venetian renaissance style with a spacious 1,400 seat auditorium.
Marc J. Franklin
Rather than opening with a Shubert operetta or musical, the theatre debuted with a production of Hamlet starring eminent British actor Johnston Forbes-Robertson.
Following a series of unsuccessful musicals, the Shubert’s first musical success was Alone at Last in 1915, a Franz Lehar show starring John Charles Thomas.
Since then, the theatre has gone on to be the home of many long running hits including Matilda, Memphis, Gypsy, A Chorus Line, and more.
Sam S. Shubert Theatre auditorium
Sam S. Shubert Theatre auditorium
Sam S. Shubert Theatre auditorium
Sam S. Shubert Theatre auditorium
Sam S. Shubert Theatre auditorium
Sam S. Shubert Theatre auditorium
Sam S. Shubert Theatre auditorium
Sam S. Shubert Theatre auditorium
In addition to its gorgeous interior, the theatre was enhanced by an alleyway that once separated it from the Hotel Astor and served as a private thoroughfare for the Shuberts. But because it also provided a shortcut to Forty-fifth Street for Broadway crowds, the passage later became famous as Shubert Alley.
The Sam S. Shubert Theatre is now the home to the Tony Award-winning hit revival of Hello, Dolly!
Currently, the Broadway revival of Hello, Dolly!, starring Bette Midler in her Tony-winning Broadway return, plays at the theatre.
The production, which opened April 2017, won four 2017 Tony Awards: Best Revival, Actress in a Leading Role (Midler), Actor in a Featured Role (Gavin Creel), and Costume Design (Santo Loquasto).
