Imperial Theatre: A Broadway Legacy at 249 West 45th Street, New York

The Imperial Theatre, located at 249 West 45th Street, New York, NY, stands as a monument to Broadway’s illustrious history. For nearly a century, this iconic venue has hosted some of the most celebrated and groundbreaking musicals and plays in American theatre. From classic operettas to contemporary hits, the Imperial Theatre on West 45th Street continues to be a premier destination for unforgettable theatrical experiences in New York City. Currently, anticipation is building for the arrival of SMASH, a new musical inspired by the popular TV series, promising to bring a fresh wave of energy to this historic stage.

The story of the Imperial Theatre is deeply intertwined with the Shubert brothers, visionaries who shaped the landscape of American theatre. Conceived as their fiftieth New York venue, the Imperial was envisioned as the quintessential home for musical theatre spectacles. This dream was realized from its inception and continues to resonate today. The theatre was built to replace the Shubert’s outdated Lyric Theatre, demonstrating their commitment to providing audiences with modern and grand theatrical settings. Opening its doors in 1923, the Imperial Theatre in New York quickly established itself as a cornerstone of the burgeoning Broadway scene.

Herbert Krapp, the prolific architect behind many Shubert theaters, designed the Imperial in his signature Adam style. This architectural aesthetic, characterized by elegance and refined detail, is evident throughout the theatre. The auditorium, rectangular in shape and intentionally wider than deep, fosters an intimate atmosphere, ensuring that most audience members feel connected to the performers on stage. The recessed ceiling and walls are adorned with ornamental panels, showcasing intricate motifs of florals and geometric patterns, adding to the overall grandeur and sophistication of the Imperial Theatre West 45th Street.

Throughout its storied existence, the Imperial Theatre New York has been graced by an unparalleled roster of theatrical triumphs. Its inaugural production in 1923, Mary Jane McKane, set the stage for a century of hits. The theatre quickly gained momentum with Rose-Marie (1924), which became the highest-grossing Broadway show of the 1920s. The Gershwin brothers, George and Ira, brought their magic to the Imperial with Oh, Kay! (1926), starring Gertrude Lawrence and featuring the timeless classic “Someone to Watch Over Me.” The 1930s witnessed further Gershwin successes with Of Thee I Sing (1933) and Let ‘Em Eat Cake (1933), alongside Moss Hart and Cole Porter’s Jubilee (1935), which premiered iconic songs like “Begin the Beguine” and “Just One of Those Things,” and Rodgers and Hart’s On Your Toes (1936). The Imperial also marked the Broadway debut of Mary Martin in Cole Porter’s Leave It to Me (1938), where she sang “My Heart Belongs to Daddy” alongside a young Gene Kelly in the chorus.

The 1940s saw Irving Berlin dominate the Imperial Theatre Broadway stage with four hits: Louisiana Purchase (1940), Miss Liberty (1949), Annie Get Your Gun (1946), and Call Me Madam (1950). Cole Porter continued his successful run at the Imperial with Let’s Face It (1941) and Silk Stockings (1955). Frank Loesser’s The Most Happy Fella (1956) ushered in a new era of hits, followed by Carnival (1960), Oliver! (1963), and the groundbreaking Fiddler on the Roof (1964), starring Zero Mostel. Fiddler on the Roof became a landmark production at the Imperial Theatre West 45th Street, becoming the longest-running musical of its time on Broadway. Following Fiddler‘s transfer to the Majestic Theatre, the Imperial welcomed John Kander and Fred Ebb’s masterpieces, Cabaret (1967) and Zorba (1968).

The 1970s brought Bob Fosse’s acclaimed production of Stephen Schwartz’s Pippin (1972), starring Ben Vereen, and Neil Simon’s back-to-back hits, Chapter Two (1977) and They’re Playing Our Song (1979). Michael Bennett’s Dreamgirls (1981) continued the tradition of spectacular productions, followed by Shubert-produced musicals Chess (1988) and Jerome Robbins’ Broadway (1989). In 1990, Les Misérables moved to the Imperial, completing its remarkable 6,680-performance run at this venue. The 21st century has seen the Imperial Theatre in New York host Australian star Hugh Jackman in The Boy From Oz (2003), the award-winning Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (2005), Tracy Letts’ August: Osage County (2007), the Tony Award-winning Billy Elliot (2008), Nice Work if You Can Get It (2012) starring Matthew Broderick and Kelli O’Hara, a revival of Les Miserables (2014), and Josh Groban’s Broadway debut in The Great Comet of 1812 (2016). This rich history solidifies the Imperial Theatre on West 45th Street as a vital part of Broadway’s enduring legacy.

The Imperial Theatre at 249 West 45th Street is committed to accessibility for all patrons. The theatre is wheelchair accessible from the sidewalk, with no steps at the entrance to the Orchestra level. For patrons with hearing impairments, infrared assistive listening devices are available for every performance. Additionally, audio description, captioning devices, and downloadable audio description and captioning for personal mobile devices are provided free of charge, typically starting four weeks after a show’s opening. A Shubert Audience Services representative is available at every performance to assist with accessibility devices and inquiries. Wheelchair accessible restrooms are located on the main level.

For those interested in the technical specifications of this historic venue, the Imperial Theatre New York boasts a seating capacity of 1457, distributed across the Orchestra, Front Mezzanine, Rear Mezzanine, and Boxes. The stage features a proscenium opening of 39′ 7″ and a proscenium height of 25′ 0″, providing a grand canvas for theatrical productions.

As the Imperial Theatre, located at West 45th Street in New York, prepares to welcome SMASH, it continues its tradition of hosting groundbreaking and memorable theatrical experiences. Its rich history, stunning architecture, and commitment to accessibility make it a must-visit destination for anyone seeking the magic of Broadway.

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