Music Box Theatre, Broadway theatre in Manhattan, United States
The Music Box Theatre is a theatre building in the Manhattan neighborhood of New York City, featuring Art Nouveau decor and gilded details throughout the interior. The facade displays terracotta elements and large arched windows, while the auditorium spans three levels with balconies and box seats.
Irving Berlin and Sam Harris founded the theatre as a venue for Berlin's own musical productions, opening it in September 1921. The building changed ownership several times and underwent renovation in the 1980s to restore its original character.
The name refers to a mechanical music box that Irving Berlin chose as a symbol for his musical revues. Visitors today notice the frequent use for smaller cast productions, which suits the compact size of the auditorium.
The entrance is located on 45th Street between Eighth Avenue and Broadway, a short walk from most Midtown hotels. Performances typically occur in the evening, with visitors advised to arrive at least thirty minutes before showtime.
Berlin composed many of his famous songs in an office directly above the auditorium, which was connected to the lobby by a spiral staircase during the early years. This workspace still exists today as part of the backstage areas, though it is no longer open to the public.
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