Walter Kerr Theatre

The Walter Kerr Theatre occupies 219 West 48th Street in the heart of Manhattan's theater district. The venue displays a patterned brick exterior and arranges seating across three levels for a total of 945 seats.

The building opened in 1921 as the Ritz Theatre and served different functions over the decades, including radio broadcasts and film screenings. After a complete renovation in the late 1980s, it returned to live theater in 1990 under the name Walter Kerr.

Named after the Pulitzer Prize-winning critic Walter Kerr, the venue received its current title in 1990. The auditorium features warm colors and classical ornamentation typical of 1920s Broadway playhouses, creating an intimate setting for dramatic works.

The theater sits a short walk from Times Square, on one of the busiest streets in the theater district. Hearing devices are available, and a bar serves refreshments before curtain time and during breaks.

Architect Herbert J. Krapp designed the building in his signature style, which shaped many Broadway theaters of the 1920s. Murals inside add to the decoration and reinforce the classical character of the space.

Location: Manhattan

Inception: 1921

Architects: Herbert J. Krapp

Official opening: March 21, 1921

Capacity: 945

Address: 219 West 48th Street, New York, NY 10036

Website: http://walterkerrtheatre.com

GPS coordinates: 40.76056,-73.98556

Latest update: December 5, 2025 22:23