description Gershwin Theatre Overview
The Gershwin Theatre is a Broadway theater located at 222 West 51st Street in New York City. Opened in 1972 as the Uris Theatre, it was renamed in 1983 for composer George Gershwin and lyricist Ira Gershwin. With approximately 1,933 seats, it is the largest theater on Broadway. Operated by the Nederlander Organization, it has been the long-running home of the musical 'Wicked' since 2003.
help Gershwin Theatre FAQ
What is the largest theater on Broadway?
The Gershwin Theatre, with approximately 1,933 seats, is the largest theater on Broadway. Located at 222 West 51st Street, it has held this distinction since it opened in 1972, originally under the name Uris Theatre before being renamed for George and Ira Gershwin in 1983.
What shows have played at the Gershwin Theatre?
The Gershwin has been the long-running home of the musical Wicked since 2003, which has become one of the highest-grossing shows in Broadway history. Other notable productions that played there include the original Broadway run of Sweeney Todd (1979) and Starlight Express (1987).
When did the Gershwin Theatre open?
The theater opened in 1972 as the Uris Theatre, named after the building's developer, the Uris Building Corporation. It was renamed the Gershwin Theatre in 1983 to honor composer George Gershwin (1898–1937) and his brother, lyricist Ira Gershwin, and the venue now also houses the American Theatre Hall of Fame.
Why is the Gershwin Theatre named after George and Ira Gershwin?
The theater was renamed in 1983 to honor the contributions of composer George Gershwin and his brother, lyricist Ira Gershwin, to American musical theater. The Gershwin brothers wrote landmark works including Porgy and Bess and numerous Broadway shows, and the renaming coincided with a broader effort to commemorate their legacy on the Broadway stage.
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