Helen Hayes Theatre, Broadway theater in Midtown Manhattan, United States
The Helen Hayes Theatre is a playhouse in the heart of Midtown Manhattan with a red brick facade and limestone trim. The auditorium rises across two levels and displays plaster ornaments and relief details around the proscenium frame.
The building opened in 1912 as The Little Theatre with 299 seats, designed by producer Winthrop Ames for intimate performances. Over the decades it underwent several renovations and name changes before Second Stage Theater acquired it in 2015 and carried out a major restoration.
The playhouse presents works by modern American writers and draws audiences looking for fresh voices in contemporary drama. It honors actress Helen Hayes, known as the First Lady of American Theater, whose career shaped performance traditions across the country.
The playhouse offers wheelchair access through ramps in the lower lobby and elevators on all floors. Hearing assistance is available through a LOOP system operating during performances.
At 597 seats, this venue is the smallest on Broadway and allows an unusually close connection between audience and stage. The compact size has always shaped the choice of productions, favoring experimental works with small casts.
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