Al Hirschfeld Theatre Information
About The Al Hirschfeld Theatre
The Al Hirschfeld Theatre is located at 302 West 45th Street. It’s between 8th Avenue and 9th Avenue, right in the heart of midtown Manhattan, NYC. You’ll find it close to Times Square — just south of Central Park.
Originally known as the Martin Beck Theatre after the vaudeville promoter, the venue opened in 1924. It was purchased by the current operator, Jujamcyn Theaters, in 1965 and renamed after caricaturist Al Hirschfeld in 2003.
The venue hosts some of Broadway’s most popular shows. It has enjoyed a run of Moulin Rouge! since 2019 — with a short break during the Covid-19 pandemic — and continues to show the iconic musical into 2024.
The Al Hirschfeld Theatre seating is spread across two levels, with space for 1,424 guests. Over the years, it has hosted some of the finest performers and productions, including:
- Christina Applegate in Sweet Charity
- Richard Gere in Bent
- Daniel Radcliffe in How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying
- Elizabeth Taylor in The Little Foxes.
Architecture & Design
Al Hirschfeld Theatre was designed by noted architect G. Albert Lansburgh and built by vaudeville promoter Martin Beck, who managed it until his death in 1940, and was originally named the Martin Beck Theatre. A grandiose building, this stunning performing arts facility was designed to be the most opulent theatre of its day, making it the perfect choice for those who who to immerse themselves in the authentic Broadway experience, and has dressing rooms for 200 actors! A gallery was also installed in the mezzanine which features 22 reproductions of the artist’s drawings.
Theatre history
The Al Hirschfeld Theatre has a long and fascinating history. It began as the Martin Beck Theatre in 1924, with architect G. Albert Lansburgh designing and constructing its legendary Moorish/Byzantine exterior.
The theater opened with a production of Madame Pompadour. It immediately became one of the most active and popular Broadway theaters, including hosting legendary figures like George Bernard Shaw,
The original owner, Martin Beck, died in 1940. His wife, Louise Heims Beck, took on theater management before the venue was sold to Jujamcyn Theaters in the 1960s. After changing hands, it continued to host leading productions until facing challenges in the 1970s. Purchased in 1965 from the Beck Family, it is one of five theatres owned and operated by Jujamcyn Theatres.
The early part of the decade saw several short, relatively unsuccessful runs. This changed in 1977, when Dracula, played by Frank Langella, proved a massive hit with critics and fans. It ran for almost 1,000 performances over the following years, re-cementing the venue’s reputation as one of Broadway’s finest theaters.
The building was designated as a New York City landmark in 1987. The following 1990s saw more popular, long-running productions, including Guys and Dolls and The Sound of Music, adding further to the venue’s growing legacy.
In 2003, the theater was renamed in honor of caricaturist Al Hirschfeld. The theatre was renamed in June in honor of illustrator Al Hirschfeld, as Hirschfeld approached his 100th birthday, with a celebration and tribute to Hirschfeld, which featured performers such as Carol Channing, Matthew Broderick, Barbara Cook, playwright Arthur Miller, and many other figures drawn by Hirschfeld during their careers. The 21st century has seen further successes and challenges, with the production of Kinky Boots running for a massive 2,507 shows between 2013 and 2019 before the venue began to host Moulin Rouge!
In early 2023, investment company Ambassador Theatre Group bought a sizable stake in the venue. While Jujamcyn Theaters continues to run operations, it is now a minority owner.
Past Broadway Shows
Some of the most famous and successful productions in the theater’s history include:
1924: Madame Pompadour
1959: Sweet Bird of Youth
1960: Bye Bye Birdie
1966: A Delicate Balance
1968: Man of La Mancha
1977: Dracula
1981: The Little Foxes
2002: Man of La Mancha
2003: Wonderful Town
2005: Sweet Charity
2011: How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying
2013: Kinky Boots
2019: Moulin Rouge!