Designed by Henry Beaumont Herts, The Longacre Theatre is named after Longacre Square (now Times Square). It was made by manager H.H. Frazee (infamous for selling Babe Ruth to the Yankees as the then Boston Red Sox owner) and officially opened with the William Hurlbut-Frances Whitehouse comedy Are You a Crook on 1st May 1913. After Frazee plunged into financial hardship, the theater changed hands many times before being sold in 1919 to Astor Theatre Incorporated, a subsidiary of Shubert. The building has served as a studio for radio and television during the 1940s and 1950s.
The Longacre, named for Longacre Square (now Times Square), was built by producer/manager H.H. Frazee (also known as the owner of the Boston Red Sox, who sold Babe Ruth to the Yankees). After Frazee fell into financial difficulties, the theatre changed hands many times before being sold to Astor Theatre Incorporated, a Shubert subsidiary, in 1919. WOR leased it from 1943 to 1953 as a radio and television playhouse.
If you’re looking to catch the show, our Longacre Theatre guide is here to help you find the best seats.
Venue Details
Address: 220 W 48th St, New York, NY 10036
Opened: 1913
Seating Capacity: 1041
Orchestra: 489
Mezzanine : 304
Balcony: 248
Seating Chart
Check out the Longacre Theatre Seating Chart here.
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Practical Information
Section Accessibility
Orchestra: The Longacre Theatre Orchestra is entirely step-free for all patrons. There are three designated wheelchair spaces in K20, M102 and N116, with up to three companion seats adjacent to each.
Mezzanine:There are four transfer seats in the Mezzanine, in E1, E2, G1 and G2. Each seat also has a companion space available next to it.
The elevator at the Longacre Theatre does not serve the Mezzanine, which is located up two flights of stairs from the Orchestra.
Balcony:There are two transfer seats in the Balcony, in F1 and F2. Both seats have a companion space available next to them.
The elevator at the Longacre Theatre serves the wheelchair accessible restroom and bar in the Balcony, which is located up four flights of stairs from the Orchestra.
Available Facilities
Restroom: Wheelchair accessible (unisex) restroom located on the Orchestra level.
Wheelchair Access:No steps into theater. Theater is not completely wheelchair accessible.
Water Fountain: Water fountain available in the restrooms.
Elevator: This theater does not have elevators or escalators.
Handy Tips
- The bathroom is located on the orchestra level. If you are sitting somewhere other than the orchestra level, you head to the bathroom as early as possible during the intermission..
- The food stall sells products at an inflated rate. Get your eating and drinking done before you enter the theater.
- Get tickets for the first rows of the orchestra and mezzanine level or the corner seats if you need extra legroom.
- The theater is known to have too many stairs. Buy tickets only for the accessible seats if you have a mobility issue.
Getting To Longacre Theatre
The Longacre Theatre is located at 220 West 48th Street, right next to Times Square and the buzzing hub of New York’s Broadway scene. There are plenty of hotels, bars and restaurants nearby, as well as many of the city’s famous attractions such as the Museum of Modern Art on West 53rd Street.
It’s simple to get to the Longacre Theatre using New York’s subway system. The closest subway station is 49th Street, which is served by the N, Q, R and W lines. Once off the train it’s a two-minute walk north on Broadway, and a left turn onto West 48th Street.
A number of bus services stop along West 49th Street and 7th Avenue, and West 49th Street and 8th Avenue. Catching the M50, M20 or M104 to either destination leaves a short walk of under five minutes to the Longacre Theatre.
Restaurants Near Longacre Theatre
You can make your Broadway experience extra special with our hand-picked selection of the best restaurants near Longacre Theatre. If you’re looking for an in-depth guide for food options in the Theatre District, we have got you covered. Looking for a quick bite before or after your Broadway show? Here our some of our favorite restaurants around the Longacre Theatre:
- Chipotle Mexican Grill: Fast-food chain offering Mexican fare, including design-your-own burritos, tacos & bowls.
- The Mean Fiddler: Boisterous Irish sports bar with DJs at night & a menu of American & Irish pub grub.
- Hurley’s Restaurant & Bar: Revolving American bar & grill on the 48th floor of the Marriott Marquis with Times Square views.
- Times Square Diner & Grill: American diner fare & a full bar offered in a stylish, modern atmosphere with loft-height ceilings.
- Pongsri Thai Restaurant: Branch of long-running Thai mini-chain (since 1972), serving traditional specialties.
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FAQs:
109
1913
220 W 48th St, New York, NY 10036, United States
The Longacre Theatre seating chart comprises 1,077 seats across three levels, with the largest number in the Orchestra. The Orchestra splits into Left, Right and Center, with views best in the middle, a few rows back.
