Address, opening, capacity of Walter Kerr Theatre
Basic information about the Walter Kerr Theatre in NYC
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Address: |
219 W 48th St, New York, NY 10036（
Map）
Located on 48th Street, between Broadway and 8th Avenue
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Opened: |
1921 |
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Capacity: |
947 seats |
Seating Chart of Walter Kerr Theatre
The Walter Kerr Theatre has a seating capacity of 947 seats, divided into three main sections: Orchestra (1st level), Mezzanine (2nd level), and Balcony (3rd level).
*Click to view larger image
Directions to Walter Kerr Theatre
The most common way to reach the Walter Kerr Theatre is by taking the New York City Subway (MTA).
The area around the theatre becomes very crowded close to showtime, so whether you arrive by subway or taxi, please allow extra time to reach the venue.
Nearest Subway Station:
Lines:
50 St station (about a 5 minute walk)
Line:
50 St station (about a 3 minute walk)
Lines:
49 St station (about a 5 minute walk)
Map, location of Walter Kerr Theatre
Here is the map of the Walter Kerr Theatre.
Best hotels near the Walter Kerr Theatre
Discover the best hotels near the Walter Kerr 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 Walter Kerr Theatre
Originally opened as the Ritz Theatre
The Walter Kerr Theatre opened in 1921 as the Ritz Theatre, a sister venue to the Ambassador Theatre, located in the heart of the Broadway Theater District.
It was developed by the renowned team of
The Shubert Organization and architect
Herbert J. Krapp. Since its founding in 1900, The Shubert Organization has owned more than 20 Broadway theatres and remains the largest and most influential theatre operator on Broadway.
Used as a CBS and ABC broadcast studio
Although it began as a Broadway playhouse, from 1943 to 1965 the Ritz Theatre was converted into a studio space for the major U.S. broadcast networks CBS and ABC, used for radio and television productions.
In the 1970s, the building was used as a movie theater before returning to live performance in 1983. The final show presented under the Ritz Theatre name was the 1989 production of “Chu Chem.”
Renamed the Walter Kerr Theatre
In 1980, Jujamcyn Theaters acquired the venue and invested about 20 million dollars in renovations. In 1990 it was renamed the Walter Kerr Theatre in honor of Walter Kerr, the esteemed theatre critic, playwright, and director.
Kerr won the Pulitzer Prize for Criticism in 1978 and was inducted into the American Theater Hall of Fame in 1983 for his lifelong contributions to Broadway.
Home to many Tony Award winning productions
The Walter Kerr Theatre has hosted numerous Tony Award winning productions.
Among its highlights,
“Angels in America: Millennium Approaches” won the Tony Award for Best Play in both 1993 and 1994. This was a remarkable achievement.
In 2010, the revival of
“A Little Night Music” was nominated for Best Revival of a Musical and Best Featured Actress in a Musical. Its star, Catherine Zeta Jones, went on to win the Tony Award for Best Leading Actress in a Musical.
Zeta Jones is also known for her Academy Award winning role as Velma Kelly in the 2002 film adaptation of the Broadway musical “Chicago,” which remains a long running hit at the Ambassador Theatre.
Architectural style of the Walter Kerr Theatre
Design by architect Herbert J. Krapp
The Walter Kerr Theatre was designed by architect
Herbert J. Krapp, who also created other Broadway landmarks such as the Shubert Theatre and the New Amsterdam Theatre. Krapp was one of the most prominent theatre architects of the early 20th century.
Although the Walter Kerr was built as one of Broadway’s smaller venues, Krapp’s expertise in maximizing space made the theatre both intimate and elegant. Its interior is adorned with gilded details and Italian style floral patterns in the
Neo-Renaissance style, giving the space a refined European atmosphere.
What is Neo-Renaissance architecture?
Neo Renaissance architecture, also called Renaissance Revival, reinterprets the style first popularized in Italy during the 15th to 17th centuries. Revived in the 19th century, it spread across Europe, the United States, and beyond. It is characterized by features such as symmetrical facades, rounded arches, and strong horizontal lines, combined with new regional influences.
Notable examples include the Vienna State Opera in Austria, the National Theatre in Prague, and the Texas State Capitol in the United States. In Japan, the Nakagyo Post Office in Kyoto, built in 1902, is a fine example of this architectural style.
Theatre owner: Jujamcyn Theaters
The third largest theatre operator on Broadway
The Walter Kerr Theatre is owned by
Jujamcyn Theaters, the third largest theatre operating company on Broadway. The organization owns five major theatres located in the Broadway Theater District.
Jujamcyn Theaters was founded in 1956 by
James H. Binger and his wife
Virginia M. Binger.
Originally a lawyer in Minneapolis, James H. Binger was recruited by his client, Honeywell, a manufacturer of control systems and automation equipment, to join the company’s leadership in New York. He became president in 1961 and chairman in 1965.
The opportunity to establish Jujamcyn Theaters came through Virginia’s father,
William L. McKnight, founder of the 3M Company. McKnight was selling off some of his theatre holdings in New York and Boston. After consulting with James, he sold the Boston theatres but retained the
St. James Theatre in New York. Later, McKnight transferred ownership of the St. James Theatre to his daughter and son in law, sparking the creation of Jujamcyn Theaters.
The name
Jujamcyn was created from the initials of the couple’s three children:
Judith, James, and Cynthia.
Today, Jujamcyn Theaters continues to be a key player in Broadway, producing and presenting numerous award winning shows across its venues.
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