Gershwin Theatre Information
Gershwin Theatre is easily one of Broadway’s jewels when it comes to live performance venues.
Even when it opened in the 1970s, it was always considered one of the larger stages on Broadway with a present capacity of 1,933 guests. This is the largest on Broadway and almost 200 more than the second-biggest Broadway theater. This makes it an ideal location for large-scale musical productions or any production featuring an ensemble cast. This includes the smash-hit Wicked, which has called the theatre home since 2003.
Not every Broadway theater is built for large-scale productions and huge audiences. The Gershwin is. No chandeliers, no old-world glamour… Just a massive stage, an open design, and nearly 2,000 seats waiting to be filled in the theater hall. It’s one of the biggest theaters on Broadway, and it makes that space count.
Everything here is designed for large musical productions. The result? A space that can accommodate towering sets that wouldn’t fit anywhere else.
The name comes from George and Ira Gershwin, the duo behind Porgy and Bess performed at Radio City Music Hall and Rhapsody in Blue. Their music changed Broadway history, so it makes sense that a theater built for musical giants carries their name.
The lobby isn’t just a place to wait for the show to start. It houses the American Theatre Hall of Fame, where the names of legendary performers line the four-story-high walls in gold lettering.
Location
Address: 222 W 51st St, New York, NY 10019, United States
The theater hall is located on the second floor of the Paramount Plaza office building, right in the heart of the Theater District.
It’s a short walk from Times Square (about five minutes) and the 42nd St-Times Square subway station. Look for the Paramount Plaza sign, head inside, and take the escalator up to the theater lobby, where you’ll also find the American Theatre Hall of Fame.
Venue Basics
The building features a modernist Art Nouveau style that was made possible by the vision of set designer Ralph Alswang. From the moment you step inside, you’ll be treated to splendor from the sweeping rotunda which was designed to display Broadway’s own Theater Hall of Fame. And the stage is a massive 80 foot by 65 foot proscenium arch.
Theatre History
The venue originally opened as the Uris Theater on November 28, 1972. The venue spent two years as a concert hall featuring legendary shows by Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald, and Bing Crosby to name a few. But things started changing with a 1976 hosting of Porgy and Bess which steered the venue towards a new age of large musical productions. This tradition even continues to this day and may be why the Tony Awards has hosted several of their ceremonies at The Gershwin.
These days, the venue exists much as it always has. With theatergoers coming and going to see the latest musicals and productions at the Gershwin. This includes Wicked which set a new box office record for the venue and was, at one time, the highest one-week box office gross income earned by any show throughout all of Broadway history.
Most Broadway theaters lean into nostalgia with gilded balconies, velvet seats, and glittering chandeliers. The Gershwin doesn’t. It was built in 1972 as part of the Paramount Plaza complex and designed for function over form.
Architect Ralph Alswang envisioned a space that felt open and modern. A theater that could handle Broadway’s most ambitious productions without sacrificing audience comfort. Wide aisles, stadium-style seating, and a massive stage set it apart from the older, more intimate playhouses nearby.
Fun fact for urban planning enthusiasts – The Gershwin was one of the first theaters constructed under New York’s Special Theater District amendment of 1967, a policy designed to protect and promote performing arts spaces in the city’s ever-changing skyline.
Originally named the Uris Theater, it was renamed in 1983 to honor George and Ira Gershwin, the brothers who helped shape American musical theater. George’s compositions – like Rhapsody in Blue and An American in Paris – merged jazz with classical influences. His works were also recorded by legends like Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald, and Bing Crosby. Ira was a talented songwriter whose lyrics brought warmth and wit to Broadway.
The Gershwin has staged its share of blockbusters over the decades… Oklahoma!, Miss Saigon, Show Boat, and Starlight Express, which set a new box office record in 1987. Singers like Frank Sinatra, Bing Crosby, and Ella Fitzgerald have also made concert appearances at the Gershwin. But Wicked made it a true icon. Since 2003, the theater and the musical have been inseparable.
What Is It Like At The Show
But what is it like to watch a show at the Gershwin?
As you can guess, with the fame the venue has earned over the past 50+ years, it’s very common to see packed and sold-out shows, especially with the current showings of Wicked. This means that there’s an energy and joy in the air that is unmatched by many other venues, even on Broadway. The audiences are there to have a great time and there’s a certain cheer and charm to the vibe that keeps audiences coming back for second, third, and sometimes even fourth showings of major hit productions.
But that’s not all, because the staff has been trained to keep guests feeling like they are VIPs. Everyone is warm and friendly and willing to lend a hand where needed. Whether that means directing you to the many services and amenities at the theater or simply lending a hand with any unexpected circumstance. You can trust that you’ll be treated well at The Gershwin.
Then once the show starts, the magic truly begins. The stage, lighting, and sound is tuned for the perfect experience so that you can sit and enjoy the style and grace of one of the most important Broadway stages. No matter where your seat is, you’ll feel like the show you’re watching is the best of the season.
Now Showing Wicked
Wicked has packed the Gershwin (formerly the Uris Theatre) night after night for over two decades. It landed on Broadway in 2003 and never looked back. The musical flipped The Wizard of Oz on its head, making Elphaba – the sharp, green-skinned outcast – the heart of the story. From the first curtain rise, it was unstoppable and went on to win multiple Tony Awards and gain worldwide fame.
With Stephen Schwartz’s soaring score, stunning visuals, and a story that rewrites everything you thought you knew about good, evil, and witches, Wicked became a Broadway phenomenon.
Wicked didn’t just succeed for its first show. It smashed Broadway history and broke box office records. Billions of dollars in global ticket sales. Three Tony Awards. A Grammy-winning cast album. And a lineup of stars who’ve made their mark, from Idina Menzel to Kristin Chenoweth.
Up there with Tony Awards luminaries The Lion King and The Phantom of the Opera, it’s one of the only Broadway musicals to have grossed more than $1 billion on Broadway – a new box office record.
The magic has spread across the globe, with Wicked seen by almost 65 million people worldwide thanks to productions in London’s West End, Australia, Japan, Germany, and beyond. The show has also toured the United States and Canada, visiting more than 30 cities and breaking more box office records.
Of course, no write-up of Wicked is complete without mentioning the movie. Starring Ariana Grande as Glinda, it overtook Mamma Mia! to become the top-grossing, Broadway musical-inspired film in history.
Some New York musicals fade. Wicked only seems to get bigger.
Box office information
The Gershwin Theatre box office is open Monday-Saturday from 10am-8pm to buy tickets. On Sundays, it’s open from 12pm-7pm.
Wicked information
Seeing Wicked in New York? Here’s everything you need to know:
Show runtime
The performance lasts 2 hours and 45 minutes, including a 15-minute intermission.
Cast replacements and refund policy
The cast of Wicked is nothing short of iconic. That said, like all Broadway productions, cast members may change due to scheduling, illness, or other circumstances. Refunds or exchanges are not provided. Rest assured, no matter who takes the stage, you can expect a magical performance.
Merchandise
The Gershwin Theatre in New York has an official merchandise stand where you can pick up souvenirs from your Broadway experience. From show-themed apparel to collectibles, there’s something for every fan.
If you’re seeing Wicked in New York, expect special edition merchandise tied to the production, including items inspired by the witches, Elphaba and Glinda. High-demand stock sells out fast, so if you see something you love, grab it before it’s gone!
Past productions at the Gershwin
Before Wicked took over and won multiple Tony Awards, the Gershwin hosted its share of Broadway legends. Oklahoma! made history here in 1979 (when the venue was called the Uris Theater) with a Tony-winning revival. Miss Saigon brought its epic love story to the stage in the ‘90s. The King and I and Show Boat both had acclaimed revivals, proving the theater’s reputation for grand, sweeping productions.
For more information on the Gershwin Theatre, please see the specific pages below.
Parking Information:
Arriving by car? Read about parking options on the Gershwin Theatre parking information page.
Ticket Policy:
For information on ticket guarantee and other ticket related questions, view the Gershwin Theatre tickets page.
Seating Information:
For information on accessible seating and to view the Gershwin Theatre seating chart page.