Stage 42 in New York – History, Seating Chart & Tickets

An Off-Broadway theater located on 42nd Street, where audiences can enjoy a large stage from an up-close perspective.

Address, opening, capacity
Seating chart
Directions to the theater
Map, location
Hotels near the thater
History
As the Off-broadway theater
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Address, opening, capacity of Stage 42

Basic Information about the Stage 42 in NYC

Address:	422 W 42nd St, New York, NY 10036（ Map ） Located on 42 Street, between 8th Avenue and 9th Avenue
Opened:	2002
Capacity:	499 seats

Seating Chart of Stage 42

The Stage 42 has a seating capacity of 499 seats.

*Click to view larger image

Directions to Stage 42

Access to Stage 42 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, 42 St – Times Square / Port Authority Stationstation (About a 10-minute walk)

The 42st – Times Square / Port Authority station is a large station complex, so plan to arrive early to avoid rushing.

Map, location of Stage 42

Here is the map of the Stage 42.

Best hotels near the Stage 42

Discover the best hotels near the Stage 42. 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 Stage 42

New York’s first purpose-built Off-Broadway theater

Built in 2002, Stage 42 has a modern design unlike older Broadway theaters

Stage 42 was built in 2002 as part of a new residential tower by the Shubert Organization, New York’s largest theater owner.

Originally opened as the Little Shubert Theatre, it was the first purpose-built Off-Broadway theater in New York. Off-Broadway theaters are defined as having 100 to 499 seats, and with its maximum capacity of 499, Stage 42 stands alongside New World Stages as one of the most prominent Off-Broadway venues operated by the Shubert Organization.

Learn more about the Shubert Organization >>

Part of the 42nd Street redevelopment project

Stage 42 rising along 42nd Street, one of New York’s most visited areas

The Little Shubert Theatre was built between 9th and 10th Avenues on 42nd Street, an area once notorious for crime. Today, 42nd Street is one of New York’s busiest corridors, home to Times Square, Grand Central Terminal, and the city’s largest bus terminal.

Until the late 1980s, Times Square was considered one of the most dangerous parts of Manhattan. In the 1990s, Mayor Rudy Giuliani and the nonprofit New 42nd Street launched a major initiative called “The Redevelopment of 42nd Street,” which restored seven theaters between 7th and 8th Avenues and helped revitalize the area.

Riding the wave of this initiative, the Shubert Organization – already Broadway’s largest theater owner – built the Little Shubert Theatre as New York’s first purpose-built Off-Broadway venue. It was also the first new theater built by the Shuberts since the Barrymore Theatre opened in 1928, a gap of nearly 74 years.

Learn more about Mayor Rudy Giuliani >>

The formation of Theatre Row

The cluster of Off-Broadway theaters on 42nd Street known as Theatre Row

Following the opening of the Little Shubert, numerous Off-Broadway theaters were built between 9th and 11th Avenues on 42nd Street. Today, this stretch is home to 12 theaters and is collectively known as Theatre Row.

Unlike large-scale Broadway blockbusters such as Aladdin or The Phantom of the Opera, Off-Broadway offers more intimate venues with affordable ticket prices, attracting theatergoers from around the world. The Little Shubert Theatre was renamed Stage 42 in 2015 and continues to serve as a vital cultural venue, bringing energy to the neighborhood and supporting its revitalization.

Learn more about Theatre Row >>

Features as an Off-Broadway theater

A small venue with a stage as large as Broadway houses

Though the entrance is modest, Stage 42 has one of the largest Off-Broadway stages inside

Stage 42 is notable for its wide stage and excellent sightlines. Its orchestra pit is as large as those found in many Broadway houses.

Broadway theaters often seat around 1,000 people, which can create obstructed views or distant perspectives from upper balconies. Stage 42, with fewer than 500 seats but a Broadway-sized stage, ensures that every seat offers a clear view from edge to edge.

The theater was designed by architect Hugh Hardy, known for his work on performing arts spaces and cultural landmarks. His other projects include the restoration of Radio City Music Hall, the New Amsterdam Theatre, Theatre for a New Audience, and several venues along Theatre Row.