Neil Simon Theatre in New York – History, Seating Chart & Tickets

A Broadway theatre designated as a New York City landmark. Its elegant British-style decor is especially striking.

Address, opening, capacity
Seating chart
Directions to the theater
Map, location
Hotels near the thater
History
Architectural style
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Address, opening, capacity of Neil Simon Theatre

Basic Information about the Neil Simon Theatre in NYC

Address:	250 W 52nd St, New York, NY 10019（ Map ） Located on 52 Street, between Broadway and 8th Avenue
Opened:	1927
Capacity:	1,428 seats

Seating Chart of Neil Simon Theatre

The Neil Simon Theatre has a seating capacity of 1,428 seats, divided into two main sections: Orchestra (1st level) and Mezzanine (2nd level).

*Click to view larger image

Seating Chart of Neil Simon Theatre in NYC

Directions to Neil Simon Theatre

Access to Neil Simon Theatre are most commonly by taking the New York City Subway (MTA).

The area around the theatre becomes very crowded close to showtime, so whether you are arriving by subway or taxi, please allow extra time to reach the venue.

Nearest Subway Station:

Lines, 7 Avestation (About a 5-minute walk)

Lines, 50 Ststation (About a 5-minute walk)

Map, location of Neil Simon Theatre

Here is the map of the Neil Simon Theatre.

Best hotels near the Neil Simon Theatre

Discover the best hotels near the Neil Simon Theatre. Stay within walking distance of Broadway and enjoy easy access to shows, restaurants, and attractions.

The list of recommended hotels near the theater:

History of the Neil Simon Theatre

Former name Alvin Theatre: derived from the founders’ initials

Alex Aarons (left) and Vinton Freedley (right)

The Neil Simon Theatre was established in 1927 by theatre producers Alex Aarons and Vinton Freedley. The theatre’s original name was the Alvin Theatre, taken from the first letters of ALex Aarons and Vinton Freedley.

The Alvin Theatre was built facing the Guild Theatre (today the August Wilson Theatre). This prompted Brooks Atkinson, the famed critic for The New York Times, to remark, “Constructing the Alvin Theatre directly in front of the Guild Theatre is truly provocative,” drawing public attention at the time.

Impact of the Great Depression and conversion into a CBS radio studio

The Neil Simon Theatre opened in 1927 with the musical Funny Face, which was an instant hit. In 1930, Broadway’s “Queen” Ethel Merman made her Broadway debut here in Girl Crazy, and the theatre quickly became a lively hub.

However, soon after, the Great Depression struck Broadway’s entertainment industry, and the theatre was not spared. Aarons and Freedley struggled to keep operations afloat and eventually leased the venue to CBS, which converted it into a radio recording and broadcast studio. In 1947, journalist Herman Bernstein purchased the theatre and resumed staging musicals, but no major hits emerged during his ownership.

Acquisition and renaming by the Nederlander Organization

In 1977, the Nederlander Organization, one of Broadway’s leading theatre operators, acquired the Alvin Theatre. That same year, on April 21, the theatre hosted the original Broadway production of Annie. The show became a historic hit, earning 11 Tony Award nominations and winning 7, including Best Musical, Best Score, and Best Book of a Musical.

In 1983, after the opening of Neil Simon’s play Brighton Beach Memoirs, the Nederlanders chose to honor Simon’s outstanding contributions to Broadway by renaming the venue the Neil Simon Theatre on June 29 of that year.

Learn more about the Nederlander Organization >>

Revival productions dominate from the 2000s onward

On August 15, 2002, the Neil Simon Theatre launched the musical Hairspray, which went on to win the Tony Award for Best Musical. It surpassed Annie’s record as the theatre’s longest-running show, achieving 2,642 performances. In 2003, it received 13 Tony nominations and won 8, including Best Musical, Best Book, Best Score, and Best Direction.

After Hairspray closed on January 4, 2009, plans were made to stage a revival of Ragtime, which had earned 13 Tony nominations and 4 wins in its original run. The theatre was closed for ten months of preparation, but when the revival opened on November 15, it failed to draw audiences and closed after only 65 performances, marking one of the theatre’s biggest disappointments.

In April 2011, the theatre opened the musical Catch Me If You Can, based on the life of con artist Frank Abagnale. His exploits included check fraud, impersonations as a pilot, doctor, and lawyer, and several daring escapes, including fleeing custody on a runway at JFK Airport.

Abagnale’s autobiography inspired the 2002 film, which was later adapted into a Broadway musical. At the 65th Tony Awards, Norbert Leo Butz won Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Musical for his role as the FBI agent, and the show received four nominations overall. Despite these honors, the production closed after just five months in September 2011.

Architectural style of the Neil Simon Theatre

Herbert J. Krapp’s Adam-style interior design

Design inspired by 18th-century English architecture

The Neil Simon Theatre (originally the Alvin Theatre) was designed by renowned architect Herbert J. Krapp. Inspired by 18th-century English architecture, the exterior features red brick accented with ivory-colored terra cotta, creating an elegant yet understated impression.

The interior showcases Krapp’s signature use of the Adam style, established by the Scottish Adam brothers in the late 18th century. With classical motifs, red and gold accents, and a unified decorative scheme, the design exudes sophistication. The theatre houses 1,428 seats across orchestra, mezzanine, and balcony levels, and originally included office space for Aarons and Freedley on the upper floors.

Learn more about Herbert J. Krapp >>

Box seats decorated in Adam style with gold accents

Landmark designation by the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission

In 1985, the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission designated three Broadway theatres built in the 1920s as official landmarks, including the Alvin Theatre (now the Neil Simon Theatre).

As the nation’s largest preservation authority, the Commission is made up of 11 members who vote to determine designations. Buildings are recognized if they are architecturally significant or hold historic and cultural importance. The status protects not only the physical structures but also their accumulated histories.

The Alvin Theatre was praised for both its cultural and architectural value and was granted landmark status for both its interior and exterior.