Manhattan is the birthplace of the U.S. theater industry. It’s home to world-renowned Broadway theaters, which seat 500 or more. You’ll also find Off-Broadway theaters (100 to 499 seats) and Off-Off-Broadway venues (under 100 seats). These, along with other performance spaces in the borough, vie for audiences’ attention daily, offering exciting, insightful, and unforgettable productions. More on manhattan-trend.com.
Metropolitan Opera House
The world-famous Metropolitan Opera House is located at Lincoln Center on Broadway, a complex of 12 buildings designed for various public cultural and educational events. It’s the only permanent opera house in the United States. The chorus, orchestra, and auxiliary ensembles are permanent, while soloists and conductors are invited for seasons or specific performances. Since 1910, operas have been performed in their original languages.
The Metropolitan Opera House opened at Lincoln Center in 1966. Before that, it was housed in an opera building on Broadway designed by architect J. Cleaveland Cady. A fire in 1892 severely damaged the old building, which was later demolished. The new venue’s auditorium seats 3,900 people. In addition to the main stage, there are three auxiliary stages. The lobby walls are adorned with monumental murals by Marc Chagall. These murals were sold to a private individual for $20 million, on the condition that they remain in place, making the sale more like a form of financial aid.
Richard Rodgers Theatre
This stunning venue, seating around 1,400, is the quintessential Broadway theater. Opened in 1925, it was named after the legendary composer Richard Rodgers, whose shows defined Broadway for over three decades. This theater is considered the home of hit musicals like Anything Goes, Guys and Dolls, Damn Yankees, How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, and The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, among others.
Both the building’s facade and interior are New York City landmarks. The facade is split into two sections. The eastern part is in the Neo-Renaissance style, using white brick and terracotta, while the western part is faced with brown brick. The auditorium features Neo-Renaissance details, steeply raked orchestra-level seating, a large balcony, and a shallow domed ceiling. There are also two tiers of boxes near the front of the auditorium. The theater houses a gallery with memorabilia showcasing Richard Rodgers’ legendary career. The composer wrote music for over 900 songs and 40 Broadway musicals. He also composed for numerous films and television shows.
Vivian Beaumont Theater
This is the only Broadway theater located outside the Theater District. Opened in 1965, it was named after actress and philanthropist Vivian Beaumont Allen. She donated $3 million for the venue’s construction.
The theater shares its building with the New York Public Library for the Performing Arts. The main facade, made of glass and steel, overlooks the Lincoln Center plaza. The main auditorium seats approximately 1,080 on two levels, arranged in a steep semicircle. The Vivian Beaumont Theater differs from traditional Broadway houses with its flexible stage, which can be extended with a thrust stage. Interestingly, from 1973 to 1977, it hosted Joseph Papp’s New York Shakespeare Festival.
Music Box Theatre
Both the facade and interior of this Broadway theater, opened in 1921, are New York City landmarks. The space was specifically built for composer Irving Berlin to showcase his work. He wrote over 900 songs, 19 musicals, and scores for 18 films. The venue seats 1,025 on two levels. The limestone structure boasts stunning Palladian-style architecture. The theater’s name, “Music Box,” reflects its exquisite appearance. Unlike most Broadway theaters, the Music Box Theatre resembles a country manor.
Many of the Music Box Theatre’s early productions were hits. Since the 1940s, it has primarily staged dramas. In the 1950s, the theater featured several plays by renowned American playwright William Inge, whose works often feature solitary protagonists.
Studio 54
Located on the site of a former nightclub, the Broadway theater Studio 54 is home to the non-profit Roundabout Theatre Company. The use of any photo or video recording devices inside the theater is strictly prohibited by law. So, remember to turn off all electronic devices before stepping inside Studio 54.
The iconic nightclub that occupied the space before the theater was notorious for its legendary parties, strict door policy, rampant promiscuity, and excessive drug use. During its short existence (1977–1986), the club attracted many famous personalities. A velvet rope separated the crowds hoping to get in from the chosen few allowed entry. The club became famous not only for its wild parties and atmosphere of total permissiveness but also for its theatrical presentations. Both staff and guests were expected to wear fashionable costumes, and everyone present was considered a performer of sorts.
Regulars at Studio 54 included actress and activist Bianca Jagger, fashion designer Roy Halston Frowick, and actress and singer Liza Minnelli. Artist Andy Warhol, writer Truman Capote, designers Tom Ford and Calvin Klein, director Woody Allen, singer Freddie Mercury, actor and singer Frank Sinatra, and many other stars and influential politicians also frequented the club. The club offered a sanctuary for people of diverse backgrounds, sexual orientations, and gender identities. They could gather freely without fear of judgment.
In 1986, the venue began hosting rock concerts until it closed completely in the late 1980s. The space remained vacant until 1998, when the Roundabout Theatre Company moved in.
Lyric Theatre
Located in the heart of Times Square, the Lyric Theatre is one of New York’s most beloved venues. Its architectural grandeur and dazzling lights make it instantly recognizable among Broadway theaters. The Lyric Theatre’s history dates back to 1997 when it opened as the Ford Center for the Performing Arts. Built on the foundations of two early 20th-century theaters, the venue showcases the same historical splendor as its predecessors. Most of this Broadway theater’s hits are musicals.
Apollo Theater
This versatile theater is a showcase for Black American performers. Seating approximately 1,500 on three levels, the theater boasts Neoclassical architectural elements. Its facade and interior are New York City landmarks and are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
The Apollo Theater opened its doors in 1913 and initially catered only to white audiences. In 1934, Sidney Cohen purchased the theater, and it became a venue for Black performers. The theater presents musical, dance, comedy, and other performances, as well as film screenings, show tapings, and performance-related events like speeches, debates, and tributes. Every week, it hosts Amateur Night at the Apollo, a show where the audience judges the quality of newcomer performances.
