Walter Kerr Theatre New York
Walter Kerr Theatre Tickets
About the Walter Kerr Theatre
The Walter Kerr Theatre first opened in 1921 as the Ritz Theatre, part of the Shubert Brothers’ impressive portfolio of Broadway venues. After a varied history including time spent as a radio station, the venue was renamed after theater critic Walter Kerr in 1990. It has since become known for its impressive programming which has seen four Pulitzer Prize-winning plays - and a multitude of Tony Award-winning plays - grace the stage.
Eminent theater designer Herbert J. Krapp conceived the Walter Kerr Theatre’s Italian Renaissance-inspired décor, which includes gold leaf and rich-colored accents around the Boxes and lighting fixtures. The venue is quite small, lending itself well to an intimate ambiance for plays rather than large musicals. After time as a TV and radio studio for the likes of NBC and ABC, the theater reopened in 1970 and was eventually restored to its former glory by Jujamcyn in the 1980s.
As the Ritz, the theater welcomed productions including Mary Stuart (1921) and the Federal Theatre Project’s work. However, it is best known for housing work by great playwrights including August Wilson’s Pittsburgh Cycle and Tony Kushner’s award-winning Angels in America. More recent productions include The Seagull (2008) with Kristen Scott-Thomas, The Crucible (2016) with Ben Whishaw and Sophie Okonedo, and Bruce Springsteen’s Broadway residency (2017-18).
Know Before You Go
• Children under four are not admitted into the theater
• Merchandise is available at the booth on Orchestra level
• No coat check, but staff may be able to take large bags upon request
• Bars stop serving five minutes before performances start
Map and Address
219 W 48th St, New York, NY 10036
