Booth Theatre

The Booth Theatre is a theater building in Midtown Manhattan, located on West 45th Street and marked by its light brick facade with three arches. Inside, seating is arranged across two levels, with the orchestra occupying the larger portion of the available seats and the balcony positioned above.

The theater opened on October 16, 1913, with a production of Arnold Bennett's play The Great Adventure, which ran for 52 performances. Seventy years later, in 1987, the building officially received landmark status for Manhattan.

The name honors Edwin Booth, a well-known actor of the nineteenth century, whose legacy continues through performances held inside the house today. Visitors often notice the classical arches on the facade, which give the building a distinctive character and set it apart from other theaters along the street.

The entrance sits at 222 West 45th Street between Seventh and Eighth Avenue, with the nearest subway stops only a few minutes' walk away. Visitors choosing upper balcony rows should expect steeper steps than those found in the orchestra section.

The outer walls still display sgraffito decorations, a rare design form now almost vanished from New York. This craft technique gives the building an Italian touch reminiscent of Renaissance architecture.

Location: Manhattan

Inception: October 16, 1913

Architects: Henry Beaumont Herts

Official opening: October 16, 1913

Capacity: 766

Address: 222 West 45th Street

Website: http://shubertorganization.com/theatres/booth.asp

GPS coordinates: 40.75839,-73.98708

Latest update: December 20, 2025 02:59