Broadway Theatre: Home to Broadway’s Biggest Blockbusters

The Great Gatsby

Highlights

Immerse yourself in a modern musical adaptation of a classic novel.

Catch performances featuring acclaimed actors Jeremy Jordan and Eva Noblezada.

Enjoy choreography by Dominique Kelley and a jazz-pop original score.

Directed by Marc Bruni, the show offers a dazzling stage production.

See a Broadway hit praised by The New York Times as enchanting and spectacular.

The Broadway Theatre is located at 1681 Broadway at West 53rd Street in Midtown Manhattan and is one of the larger Broadway venues, with a seating capacity of around 1,700. It opened in 1924 as the Colony Theatre and was originally used as a movie palace and vaudeville venue. The theatre was designed by Eugene De Rosa and is now operated by the Shubert Organization. Over the years, it has hosted major Broadway productions, including long-running musicals like Les Misérables and Miss Saigon, and more recently The Great Gatsby.

The Broadway Theatre – General Information

Location: The venue is situated at 1681 Broadway, directly on the corner of West 53rd Street in the northern hub of Midtown Manhattan’s Theater District. It is highly distinct for being one of only a select few playhouses physically located on the street named Broadway.

Seating Capacity: The massive auditorium has a standard capacity of 1,763 seats. This expansive seating layout is distributed across three main tiers: a vast ground-floor Orchestra level and an elevated balcony space divided cleanly into a Front Mezzanine and a Rear Mezzanine section.

Cinematic Architecture & Design: Masterfully designed by architect Eugene De Rosa, the theater originally opened on Christmas Day in 1924 as B.S. Moss’s Colony Theatre. Because it was originally built as a luxury vaudeville house and motion picture palace, the auditorium is unusually wide and shallow. This layout provides panoramic sightlines and extra physical space that perfectly accommodates heavy musical set designs.

Historical Milestones: The venue holds a sacred spot in pop-culture history as the birthplace of Mickey Mouse; Walt Disney’s groundbreaking synchronized-sound cartoon Steamboat Willie premiered on its screen in 1928. It also hosted the historic world premiere of Disney’s stereophonic masterpiece Fantasia in 1939.

Current Resident Production: The Broadway Theatre is the proud, extravagant home to the high-energy, multi-million dollar musical adaptation of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s classic, The Great Gatsby.

Seating Charts and Viewing Experience

The Broadway Theatre is spread across three main seating levels: the Orchestra, Front Mezzanine, and Rear Mezzanine. For the best overall experience, seats in the center of the Orchestra—particularly mid rows—offer a strong balance between proximity and a full view of the stage. Because the auditorium is wider than most Broadway houses, seats on the far sides can have more angled views, so central sections are usually the most desirable.

For a broader perspective, the front rows of the Front Mezzanine are a popular option. This elevated position provides a clear, panoramic view, making it ideal for large-scale productions and detailed staging. If you’re looking for more affordable tickets, the Rear Mezzanine offers the lowest price points. Although higher up, the steep seating design helps maintain clear sightlines, making it a good value choice.

Facilities and More at the Broadway Theatre

Facilities
Accessibility Features
Souvenir Store

The Broadway Theatre offers a range of standard amenities to make your visit comfortable. There are multiple bars located in the main lobby and on the Mezzanine levels, serving snacks, drinks, wine, beer, and cocktails that can typically be taken into the auditorium. Water fountains are available throughout the venue. However, the theatre generally does not offer a public coat check, so it’s best to avoid bringing large bags or heavy outerwear.

The theatre provides step-free entry from the street into the lobby and Orchestra level. As a historic venue, it does not have public elevators or escalators, so wheelchair and companion seating is located on the Orchestra floor. Accessible restrooms are also available there, along with assistive listening devices and captioning support through guest services or mobile apps.

A merchandise stand in the lobby sells official items for the current production, The Great Gatsby. Guests can find apparel, programs, posters, and souvenirs, with the shop typically open before the show, during intermission, and after the performance.

FAQs

Where is The Broadway Theatre located?

The theater is located at 1681 Broadway, sitting directly on the corner of West 53rd Street. It is highly famous for being one of only three playhouses physically located on the actual street named Broadway.

What Broadway show is currently playing at the theater?

The venue is the proud, extravagant home to the high-energy, multi-million dollar musical adaptation of F. Scott Fitzgerald's classic tale, The Great Gatsby.

How long is a performance of The Great Gatsby?

The standard running time for the production is 2 hours and 30 minutes, which includes one 15-minute intermission.

Is The Broadway Theatre equipped with public elevators or escalators?

No. Because it strictly preserves its grand, historic 1924 architectural framework, the building contains no public elevators or escalators. The upper Front and Rear Mezzanine tiers must be accessed strictly using the venue's staircases.

Are there accessible restrooms on-site?

Yes, a dedicated, single-stall wheelchair-accessible all-gender restroom is handily positioned right on the main lobby floor. Standard public restrooms are situated on the lower level and the upper Mezzanine floors.

Does the theater provide a coat check?

No. To maximize lobby traffic flow during high-capacity crowds, this theater does not provide a public coat check or cloakroom service. Patrons are strongly advised to avoid bringing large luggage, shopping bags, or oversized personal items.