Named after the iconic St. James Theatre in London, the St. James Theatre on Broadway is located at 246 West 44th Street. The theatre was built in 1927 by Abraham L. Erlanger, a founding member of the Theatrical Syndicate. Architect firm Warren and Wetmore, who had previously worked on the Grand Central Terminal, designed the theatre. The St. James Theatre features a simple brick facade with large iron loggia masking the fire escapes.
The first production in the theatre was Merry Malones which opened in September 1927. The Shuberts took over the theatre in 1941 who had to sell it to William L. McKnight in 1957 after losing an antitrust case. The theatre has hosted many iconic productions since it opened, including Oklahoma!, The King and I, Hello, Dolly!, The Secret Garden, Desire Under the Elms, Bring It On, Something Rotten, Present Laughter. Currently, the theatre is hosting Frozen, based on the Disney animated movie of the same name.
If you’re looking to catch the show, our St. James Theatre guide is here to help you find the best seats.
Venue Details
Address: 246 W 44th St, New York, NY 10036, United States
Opened: 1927
Seating Capacity: 1716
Orchestra: 732
Mezzanine:658
Balcony: 326
Seating Chart
Check out the St. James Theatre Seating Chart here.
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Practical Information
Section Accessibility
Orchestra: The St. James Theatre Orchestra is entirely step-free for all patrons from the entrance and lobby, and all designated wheelchair seating is located in this section.
Mezzanine: Mezzanine seating is located up one flight of stairs from the Orchestra (29 steps), with a further 22 steps across the section. This is usually presented as two steps up or down to each row. All staircases have handrails.
Balcony: The Balcony is on the third level of the St. James Theatre, up 77 steps. Once in the section, there are a further two steps up or down to each row. All stairs have handrails. Around four transfer seats are placed across rows F and H in the Balcony – including H17 and F30 - with companion seats available in adjacent spots.
Available Facilities
Restroom: A wheelchair accessible restroom is available on the main level. Additional restrooms available on the Mezzanine and Balcony levels.
Accessible Seating: Slight curb ramps outside of the theater. Wheelchair seating available in the Orchestra section.
Water Fountain:Located down one flight of stairs in the lower lobby.
Assistive Listening System:Assistive listening, handheld captions, and prerecorded audio devices available on all theater levels, free of charge. Photo ID is required.
Handy Tips
- The St. James Theatre is not equipped with lifts. You’ll have to climb up a lot of stairs to get to your seat, particularly if you’re seated in the balcony level.
- The staff at St. James Theatre is very accommodating and arrangements can be made if you have special requests or are physically disabled and require assistance.
- The queue for the washroom is generally far too long during the intermission, which means you might spend the first few moments of the second act waiting in line.
- Assistive listening, handheld captions, and prerecorded audio devices available on all theater levels, free of charge.
- If you’re afraid of heights, we would recommend skipping the balcony section altogether. The section is at a great height and the slight downward inclination is bound to make things worse.
Getting To St. James Theatre
Like most Broadway theatres, the St. James is also quite close to Times Square, which means getting there is actually quite easy. The theater is located at 246 West, 44th Street and there are multiple ways to get here.
If you want to avoid the hassles of parking, you can take the subway to 42ns Street in any of the following trains, A, C, E or 1, 2, 3, 9, 7, N, R, and S. If you would rather bring your own vehicle, there are plenty of parking spots available, but we forewarned, they’re not cheap.
The following buses stop close to the theatre: Q32, QM15, and QM5
Restaurants Near St. James Theatre
You can make your Broadway experience extra special with our hand-picked selection of the best restaurants near St. James Theatre 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 St. James Theatre:
- Barilla Restaurants Radio City: Fine Italian fare with a delectable selection of pastas in a modern, rustic setting.
- Kellari Taverna: Featuring an enviable wine collection, authentic Greek cuisine, and a bright, bistro-setting, Kellari is a theatre district classic.
- The View Restaurant & Lounge: Located on the 48th floor of the Marriott Marquis, this revolving American restaurant overlooks the stunning Times Square.
- Sardi’s: This continental diner is decorated with caricatures of showbiz celebrities, making it a hit with locals and tourists alike.
- Aureole: A posh, contemporary restaurant serving fine New American fare with a twist.
FAQs:
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Erlanger's Theatre opened on September 26, 1927, with the musical The Merry Malones. Erlanger died in 1930, and the theater then passed to Lodewick Vroom in 1932; Vroom renamed it after St James's Theatre in London.
246 W 44th St, New York, NY 10036, United States
St. James Theatre has a seating capacity of 1,710.
