Playbill’s 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.
The St. James Theatre opened in 1927 as Erlanger's Theatre, named for booking agent Abraham Erlanger, and was renamed the St. James in 1932, after the London theatre of the same name. In 2001, the production of The Producers set box office records in the theatre for single-day sales and went on to win an unprecedented 12 Tony Awards.
Currently playing at the theatre is Disney’s musical Frozen, starring Patti Murin and Caissie Levy as Anna and Elsa respectively, which opened on Broadway March 22.
Flip through photos of the theatre below:
St. James Theatre auditorium
Built in 1927, The St. James Theatre originally opened as Erlanger’s Theatre, named after Broadway booking Abraham Erlanger who built it.
According to The New York Times, it cost $1.5 million to build, featuring a Georgian interior design, "the color scheme coral and antique gold.”
With an ample capacity of 1,600 seats, Erlanger’s Theatre was aimed primarily at the production of musicals and when it opened on September 26, 1927, the opening attraction was George M. Cohan’s musical The Merry Malones.
Marc J. Franklin
From May 1931 until March 1932, the theatre was taken over by the Civic Light Opera Company, which presented a successful repertory of Gilbert and Sullivan operettas and other musical entertainments.
St. James Theatre auditorium
The dark period followed, during which it was decided to rename the theatre the St. James, inspired by the St. James Theatre in London.
The theatre reopened on December 7, 1932 with a production of Walk A Little Faster, starring London’s favorite revue comedienne, Beatrice Lillie.
St. James Theatre auditorium
St. James Theatre auditorium
Throughout its history, The St. James theatre ushered in the Broadway debuts of iconic shows including Oklahoma!, The King and I, and Hello, Dolly!
In addition, it has been the home to performances from legendary actors including Carol Burnett and Chita Rivera.
St. James Theatre auditorium
St. James Theatre auditorium
St. James Theatre auditorium
St. James Theatre auditorium
St. James Theatre auditorium
St. James Theatre auditorium
St. James Theatre auditorium
The St. James Theatre is currently the home to Frozen, which opened March 22, 2018.
