Ethel Barrymore Theatre

Opened in 1928

243 W. 47th Street
New York, NY

Monday - Saturday: 10am - 6pm
Sunday: 12pm - 6pm

Theater History

Ethel Barrymore Theatre History

The Ethel Barrymore Theatre is a historic gem in the heart of Broadway. It was the last theater built by the Shubert brothers, who named it after Ethel Barrymore, a legendary actress who was a household name in the United States and England. Let’s explore the incredible productions held at the Barrymore Theatre over the years, from the time it opened in 1928 all the way through today:

Ethel Barrymore’s Star Turns

Ethel Barrymore starred in the grand premiere of “The Kingdom of God,” the first ever show at the Barrymore in December 1928.
She followed with "The Love Duel" in 1929 and toured with both productions.
She returned to the theater to star in "Scarlet Sister Mary" in 1930 and in the revival of “The School for Scandal” in 1931.
Her last appearance at her theater was in 1940 in "An International Incident."

Early Success

The theater continued to shine with stars like Fred Astaire starring in Cole Porter’s "Gay Divorce" in 1932 and Afred Lunt and Lynne Fontanne in Noel Coward’s “Design for Living” in 1933 and “Point Valaine” in 1935.
Other notable productions included "Death Takes a Holiday" in 1929, "The Women" by Clare Booth Luce in 1936, "Pal Joey" by Rodgers and Hart in 1940, and "A Streetcar Named Desire" by Tennessee Williams in 1947 starring Jessica Tandy and Marlon Brando.

Star-Studded Talent

Stars continued to flock to the theater in the 1950s and beyond, with Jessica Tandy and Hume Cronyn in "The Fourposter" in 1951, Anthony Perkins receiving a Tony nomination for his performance in “Look Homeward, Angel” in 1957, and Sidney Poitier and Ruby Dee appearing in Lorraine Hansberry’s “A Raisin in the Sun” in 1959.
Lee Remick appeared in "Wait Until Dark" in 1966, and Robert Duvall starred in both "American Buffalo" in 1977 and August Wilson's "Joe Turner’s Come and Gone" in 1988.
Other prominent shows featured Maggie Smith in "Lettice & Lovage" in 1990, Madeline Kahn in "The Sisters Rosenzweig" in 1993, Kathleen Turner and Jude Law in "Indiscretions" in 1995, and Dame Judi Dench in "Amy’s View" in 1999.

Recent Times

The theater continued to thrive with productions like Tom Stoppard's "The Real Thing" and Charles Busch's comedy "The Tale of the Allergist’s Wife" in 2000 starring Linda Lavin.
Al Pacino, Marissa Tomei, Dianne Wiest, and David Strathairn starred in Oscar Wilde’s “Salome” in 2003.
A Tony Award-winning revival of Stephen Sondheim’s "Company" came to the stage in 2006
Recent productions include "Exit the King" starring Tony Award winner Geoffrey Rush and Susan Sarandon and David Mamet's "Race" in 2009.
In 2012, the Barrymore showcased the Tony Award-winning revival of "Death of a Salesman" with Philip Seymour Hoffman, followed by Tony Award-winning productions like "A Raisin in the Sun" and "The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time" in 2014, and "The Band's Visit" in 2017.
The Tony-award winning production of “The Inheritance” by Matthew Lopez played in the theater in 2019, and Samuel L. Jackson starred in August Wilson’s “The Piano Lesson” in 2022, with LaTanya Richardson Jackson directing.

FOR YOUR CONVENIENCE

Parking

Reserve a spot using SpotHero: https://spothero.com

Restrooms

Restrooms are located down two flights of steps (20 steps total).

Coat Check

Coat check is available.

Wi-Fi

Free Wi-Fi Available

Where is the stage door?

To your left as you exit the main 47th Street entrance.

NEAR THE THEATRE

Hotel Edison, 228 W. 47th Street. For other hotel recommendations, read our article on the Best Hotels Near Broadway!

CURRENT/UPCOMING SHOW

Our Town

Starring four-time Emmy Award® winner Jim Parsons, OUR TOWN returns to Broadway for the first time in over 20 years. Hailed by Edward Albee as “the greatest American play ever written,” Thornton Wilder‘s Pulitzer Prize-winning classic will shine in a momentous new production. Directed by Tony Award® winner Kenny Leon (Purlie Victorious: A Non-Confederate Romp Through the Cotton Patch, Topdog/Underdog, A Raisin in the Sun), this is an OUR TOWN for our time. In Wilder’s timeless tale of a small town, a stage manager narrates the daily lives of its locals, depicts a childhood friendship turn into marriage, and sets the stage for magnificent truths of what it means to be alive. Don’t miss this strictly limited engagement of an essential American classic. Begins September 17 at the Barrymore Theatre. OUR TOWN features a cast of 28 actors, including Jim Parsons (The Big Bang Theory, The Boys In The Band), Katie Holmes (All My Sons, Batman Begins), Zoey Deutch (Netflix’s The Politician), Ephraim Sykes (Ain’t Too Proud), Billy Eugene Jones (Purlie Victorious: A Non-Confederate Romp Through the Cotton Patch, Fat Ham), Richard Thomas (To Kill a Mockingbird, The Waltons), Michelle Wilson (Sweat), Julie Halston (Tootsie), and Donald Webber Jr. (Hamilton).

Get Tickets

SEATING

Best Seats in the House

The best views will be in the center orchestra and front mezzanine, but there are very few bad seats in this theater.

Number of Seats

The estimated capacity is 1,058 seats

Preview Seat View

AViewFromMySeat.com

ACCESSIBILITY

Is there wheelchair accessible seating available?

Wheelchair accessible seating is located in the orchestra section. No steps to designated seating location.

Is there a wheelchair accessible restroom available?

Yes, a wheelchair accessible (unisex) restroom is located on main level.

Are there assistive devices available?

Infrared assistive listening devices available for every performance; audio description and closed captioning devices will be available beginning four weeks after the show's opening night. Before this date, live-caption via CART using a hand-held device can be requested with two weeks advance notice. Contact Shuebrt Audience Services at 212-944-3700 or audienceservices@shubertorg.com for more information.

RULES & REGULATIONS

What is the Barrymore Theatre bag policy?

All bags are inspected by security prior to admission to the Barrymore Theatre. While small bags and purses are typically permitted, if you have any questions, we recommend you contact the theater directly at (212) 239-6200 as policies may change on a day-to-day basis. There is no outside food or drink permitted.

Does the Barrymore Theatre enforce a dress code?

No, not formally, though the Barrymore reserves the right to not admit ticket holders at their own discretion. If you have specific questions about dress code, we encourage you to contact the theater directly at (212) 239-6200. If you are seeking general advice about what to wear to a Broadway performance, make sure to check out our article on the topic.

When do the Barrymore Theater Doors Open?

Doors open 45 minutes prior to the scheduled show time on your ticket. The theater suggests arriving at least 15 minutes before the show to provide enough time to pass through security and to find your seats.

Does the theater have an age restriction?

Children under 4 are not permitted in the theater.

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