Walter Kerr Theatre
The Walter Kerr Theatre, located at 219 West 48th Street, is one of Broadway’s most intimate and atmospheric venues. Known for its detailed architecture and rich acoustics, it has hosted celebrated productions like Angels in America, Spring Awakening, and The Crucible. Since 2019, it’s been home to Hadestown, whose warm lighting and immersive staging complement the theatre’s vintage charm beautifully. The Walter Kerr seating chart will help you find the best seats in the theater.
About Walter Kerr Theatre
- With a capacity of 975 seats, the Walter Kerr Theatre is one of the smaller Broadway venues. The seats are split across three sections: Orchestra, Mezzanine, and Balcony.
- The size of the theater makes it hard to find yourself in a bad seat. That said, the Orchestra and Mezzanine offer better experiences, while the balcony tends to be rather narrow and steep.
- The Orchestra's stagefront position allows for an immersive experience. Premium seats in rows D-H of the Center Orchestra are particularly favorable if you'd like to be whisked away by the magic of the stage. The Mezzanine and Blacony are elevated levels, and might offer better sight lines for certain shows.
- For Hadestown in particular, which has a unique set design wherein most of the show is performed stage center, the Center Mezzanine offers the best views. If you do find yourself selecting a side seat, opt for one in the Right Orchestra or Right Mezzanine, as these offer a better view of Hades' balcony and opening song than the Left.
- The front and corner seats in the Orchestra and Mezzanine have the best legroom.
- The Orchestra is wheelchair-accessible. The Mezzanine and Balcony are only accessible via steps. Restrooms are on the Mezzanine, while wheelchair-accessible restrooms are on the Orchestra level.
The Ritz opened in 1921 with John Drinkwater's gripping historical drama, Mary Stuart. The venue dabbled in short-lived plays for a while, before embracing the world of musical theater. Despite a rocky journey, The Ritz - later redubbed the CBS Theater No. 4 - held on, finally blossoming into the quaint Walter Kerr Theatre in 1989.
Throughout its existence, the venue has staged a variety of shows ranging from plays and musicals to special concerts, even having brief stints as an adult film cinema, a vaudeville theater, a broadcast studio, and a children's theater. Each era of the Walter Kerr Theatre saw its fair share of renovations and refurbishments. Despite all these ups and downs, changes, and redefinitions, the Walter Kerr remains a fixture on Broadway as one of its smaller, more intimate venues that retains an aura of old-world charm.
- The Walter Kerr was designed by Herbert J. Krapp, the visionary behind about half the theaters on Broadway. Krapp was notably proficient at making the most out of any space he was handed, and the Walter Kerr was no different.
- The theater was designed in an Italian Renaissance style. It featured gold leaf and Italian scrollwork, originally in shades of purple, vermillion, and gold. The facade was relatively simple, fashioned with patterned brick and no other ornamentation. Most assumed this choice was due to a lack of funds since the theater emerged after World War I. Modern refurbishments have altered the original theater, and its color scheme is now pink, mauve, and gray.
- The theater lobby features faux granite walls and a burgundy ceiling. The auditorium featured hallmarks of Krapp's handiwork, decorated in the Adam style, but with a limited seating capacity.
- The auditorium's proscenium arch is topped with a restored mural from an unknown designer featuring the Roman goddess Diana. More murals had been planned for the theater's interiors but were only installed in the '80s.
- The theater's interiors also feature Art Deco chandeliers, lights, and sconces from the '80s.
- Bluebeard's Eighth Wife (1921)
- Courage (1928)
- As You Like It (1937)
- The Piano Lesson (1987)
- I Hate Hamlet (1991)
- The Crucible (2016)
- Amélie (2017)
- Springsteen on Broadway (2017)
- Hadestown (2019)
Know before you go
- Address: 219 W 48th St, New York, NY 10036, United States
- Bus: The nearest bus stops to the Walter Kerr Theatre are 7th Avenue and West 50th Street, which services the M7, M20, and M104 lines, and the 8th Avenue and West 49th Street stop.
- Subway: The closest station to the theater is the 50th Street subway stop. The C, E, and 1 lines go through this station.
- Cars and cabs: Patrons may opt to drive to the theater, but are advised to expect traffic, especially during peak seasons and major events. Finding parking might be a little difficult, so a taxi might be a better option. For patrons who drive down, there are nearby garages that offer parking options to suit various needs.
- Parking: The nearest garages to the Walter Kerr Theatre are all within walking distance. These include Quik Park, LAZ Parking, iPark, and multiple Icon Parking lots. It is recommended patrons make prior bookings when possible to avoid reaching their show late.
- Recommended mode of transport: We recommend using the subway for a quick and cost-efficient way to reach the Walter Kerr Theatre.
- Restrooms: The main restrooms are located on the Mezzanine floor and are only accessible via steps. An accessible, single-stall, all-gender restroom is located on the Orchestra level.
- Accessible seating: Limited accessible seating is located in the Orchestra and can be reached without using steps. The rest of the theater's seating areas are not wheelchair-accessible and have no elevators or escalators, so patrons are advised to book these seats well in advance.
- Hearing and visual assistance: Hearing assistance services and devices are available upon request.
- Concessions: The bar serves a limited menu of snacks and drinks. Patrons may bring their concessions to their seats to enjoy during the show.
- Merchandise: Patrons can purchase some souvenirs at the theater's shop.
- Accessible entrance: The Walter Kerr Theatre's Orchestra can be accessed via a strep-free, street-level entrance.
- Level access: The Orchestra is adapted to accommodate different levels of mobility. The Mezzanine and Balcony can only be accessed via stairs.
- Escalators and elevators: The Walter Kerr does not have escalators or elevators. Levels, other than the Orchestra, can be accessed only via stairs which are equipped with handrails.
- Wheelchair-accessible seats: The Orchestra has limited wheelchair-accessible and companion seats. Aisle transfer and companion seats are also available.
- Accessible seating: Hearing and visual-accessible seating is also available in the Orchestra section, located in the Center of Row D.
- Accessible and adapted restrooms: The wheelchair-accessible, single-stall, all-gender restroom is on the Orchestra level. The remaining restrooms are on the Mezzanine and are not adapted for accessibility.
- Hearing assistance: Assistive listening headsets, on-demand closed caption devices and apps, translations, and more are available at the Walter Kerr Theatre. Patrons may collect their devices free of charge at the headset booth in the Orchestra lobby. Devices may also be pre-booked via Sound Associates.
- Arrive early: We recommend arriving at least 45 minutes before your show to avoid delays when entering. Latecomers may not be seated, at the discretion of theater staff. The theater bars close five minutes before show time, so be sure to give yourself long enough to grab your snacks and get to your seats.
- Dress code: There is no dress code for the Walter Kerr Theatre, but patrons often dress for the occasion. The theater is air-conditioned all year round, so patrons may consider bringing a sweater.
- Age restrictions: The Walter Kerr Theatre only allows patrons aged 4 and above entry.
- Baggage: There is no coat check at the Walter Kerr Theatre. Patrons may check some small to medium-sized baggage, depending on how much room the theater has available. Some large bags may also be checked, upon request.
- Food policy: No outside food or drink is permitted inside the Walter Kerr Theatre. Food and drink may be purchased from the theater's bar up to five minutes before shows start.
- Restrictions: Recording equipment, noisemaking devices, flashlights, pointers, weapons, and any other equipment or device that could disrupt the show or disturb fellow patrons are prohibited. Phones and other electronic devices that patrons bring with them must be kept silent during shows.
- Pets and service animals: The Walter Kerr Theatre is a small venue that has limited capacity. As such, it is more restrictive with its admission. Patrons who need to bring their service animal along are advised to contact the theater in advance and enquire about their current guidelines around admitting service animals.
The Walter Kerr Theatre is nested within the theater district and is surrounded by everything from dazzling New York lights to curious experiences and, of course, a variety of restaurants to suit every taste.
- Ellen’s Stardust Diner: This adorable '50s-themed-diner is the total package with an all-American menu and singing servers to make you feel like you stepped into a piece of old Hollywood.
- Directions
- Junior's Restaurant and Bakery: The name "New York Cheesecake" rings all around the world, so a trip to New York would be incomplete without biting into a piece in the heart of Broadway. Pair it with a drink from the bar, a delicious BBQ, and deli and diner fare.
- Directions
- ICHIRAN Ramen NY Times Square: A specialty ramen restaurant that is particularly known for its tonkotsu ramen in pork bone broth.
- Directions
- Havana Central Times Square: Cuban fare, live music, flowing cocktails, and a retro-Havana setting - it doesn't get much better than that.
- Directions
- Carmine's: NYC’s legendary family-style Italian restaurant that offers gigantic portions of pizza, among other classics, just like the meals grandma would serve you. Minus the bar menu, of course.
- Directions to Carmine's
Frequently asked questions about Walter Kerr Theatre
The venue is over 100 years old. Originally the Ritz, it was renamed in honor of Walter Kerr in 1989;
The theater was constructed in 1921 in a record time of sixty-six days.
The theater is named for the American writer and theater critic, Walter Francis Kerr. Kerr was a respected voice in the industry but was most notable for being notoriously hard to impress. His harshness may have turned some off, yet it also pointed to a level of authenticity in his work. After all, one of the victims of Kerr's critique, Stephen Sondheim, was described by the very same critic as being "both musically and lyrically, the most sophisticated composer now working for the Broadway theater." Kerr and his wife, Jean, also wrote the Tony Award-winning musical Goldilocks (1958), further establishing him as an important and influential name in Broadway.
219 W 48th St, New York, NY 10036, United States.
The theater is accessible via car, taxi, subway, and bus with the nearest stops all located within walking distance.
The theater is owned and operated by the Jujamcyn Theaters.
The theater has a capacity of 975, making it one of the smaller Broadway theater venues.
Patrons aged 4 and above are permitted entry into the theater. Children under 4 are not allowed out of respect to the other patrons.
The theater has designated wheelchair-accessible and companion seats and a single-stall, all-gender restroom on the Orchestra level. It has step-free access. There are also hearing and visual-accessible seats in the Orchestra and the theater offers assistive listening devices for free. The other levels are not accessible, as the theater has no elevators or escalators. The stairs to reach these areas are all equipped with handrails.
The theater has staged a variety of productions in its time. Its earlier shows were largely short-lived plays. It branched out into musical and theatrical performances, and over time, has staged a variety of plays and musicals to varying levels of success. These include Bluebeard's Eighth Wife, Courage, As You Like It, The Piano Lesson, I Hate Hamlet, The Crucible, Amélie, and most recently, Hadestown.
Hadestown opened at the Walter Kerr Theatre in 2019. Before that, the musical played off-Broadway at the New York Theatre Workshop. It also played in Canada and London in the run-up to its official Broadway debut.
The best views in the house are in the Center Orchestra and Center Mezzanine. The front and center seats of the Mezzanine offer particularly fantastic views of Hadestown. Seats at the ends of the rows have restricted sight lines but offer more legroom. If you opt for a row-end seat, choose one on the right, since this will give you a better view of shows with unique set designs like Hadestown than the left.
There is no dress code for the Walter Kerr Theatre. Patrons are encouraged to dress comfortably but are also welcome to dress up if they wish to. The theater is kept cool all year round, so patrons are encouraged to bring a sweater.
Ticket prices vary based on the show's date, timing, season, and more. Even though the Walter Kerr Theatre is on the smaller side, seat prices can vary quite a bit between sections. Tickets for Hadestown currently start at $86.50.
The theater's bar serves refreshments and snacks up to five minutes before the shows start. Patrons may bring their concessions to their seats to enjoy during the show.
There isn't a better place for dining options than the theater district. When in New York, it would be a shame to miss out on all-American restaurants like Ellen’s Stardust Diner and Junior's Restaurant and Bakery. For cuisine-based restaurants, try places like ICHIRAN Ramen NY Times Square, Havana Central Times Square, or Carmine's.
The Broadway scene is teeming with history and culture, not to mention architectural marvels. A simple walk around the area is already an entire sightseeing tour. You'll run into the bustle of Times Square, the beauty of Madame Tussaud's Wax Museum, Broadway museums and memorials, iconic buildings like Rockefeller, and much more. But don't forget to step into some of the lanes and enjoy the obscure haunts, including tiny niche bookstores and hole-in-the-wall eateries.
