Nederlander Theatre

Best Seats In The House

• Seats: 1232

Parking for Nederlander Theatre

The closest parking garages for Nederlander Theatre are located at:

One Parking 1411

136 W 40th Street
New York, NY 10019

212-221-9827

ICON Global Parking

143-145 W 40th Street
New York, NY 10019

212-221-9485

The closest parking is not always the best as it often takes longer to park and retrieve your vehicle as fellow theatre goers have the same idea. A better choice of parking may be the second choice or further away by a couple of Avenues.

Additional Notes

Landlord: The Nederlander Organization

Official Ticketer: Ticketmaster

Elevator: No

Escalator: No

Nederlander Theatre History

The Nederlander Theatre, originally known as the National Theatre, was designed by architect W.H. McElfatrick and constructed by theater impresario David Belasco. It opened its doors on September 1, 1921. The theater was designed in the Beaux-Arts style and featured ornate decorations and a grand interior.

Construction and Opening:

Situated on 41st Street, the Nederlander Theatre marks the southern-most point of the Times Square theater district. As a sign at the front of the building attests, its full name is the David Nederlander Theatre, named in 1980 for the founder of the Nederlander Organization by his sons who currently run it. Originally called the National when it first opened on September 1, 1921, the theater has had many good years under that name.

Early Years:

In its early years, the National Theatre hosted a variety of productions, including plays, musicals, and revues. One of its notable early productions was "Dulcy," a comedy written by George S. Kaufman and Marc Connelly, which had a successful run in the 1920s.

Billy Rose Theatre

After spending a couple decades as the Billy Rose Theatre -- during which time early works by groundbreaking playwrights Edward Albee, Harold Pinter, and Tom Stoppard were performed here -- it closed for a year in 1978. The theater was then purchased by the Nederlanders and Cooney-Marsh and refurbished. It was dubbed the Trafalgar at first, but only briefly, before receiving its current name, the Nederlander Theatre.

Various Theatre Names Over The Years

This theatre has had five name changes over the years, setting the record as the most name-changed theatre on Broadway

1. National Theatre: This Broadway theatre opened as the National Theatre in 1921.
2. Billy Rose's National Theatre: In the 1952, the theatre was briefly renamed after the famous Broadway impresario Billy Rose.
3. National Theatre: As a scandal engulfed Billy Rose, the theatre was renamed back to the National Theatre in 1972.
4. Trafalgar Theatre: In early 1980, the theatre was purchased by the Nederlander Organization and was renamed to the Trafalgar Theatre. This new name only lasted six months.
5. Nederlander Theatre: In late 1980, the theatre ultimately became the Nederlander Theatre in honor of the Nederlander family, who have been influential in the Broadway theater industry and who now owned the theatre.

Renaming to The Nederlander Theatre:

During its brief time as the Trafalgar Theatre, two prominent shows played there: Whose Life Is It Anyway? and Betrayal.

In 1980, when the National Theatre was renamed the Nederlander Theatre in honor of the Nederlander family, who were prominent figures in the Broadway theatre industry, the public were only lukewarm about the name change. The Nederlander family had been involved in theater management and production for several generations.

Renovations and Changes:

Over the years, the Nederlander Theatre underwent various renovations and updates to modernize its facilities and maintain its historic charm. The theater has a seating capacity of around 1,200, providing an intimate setting for Broadway performances.

Notable Productions:

The Nederlander Theatre has been home to many successful and memorable Broadway productions. Some notable shows that have graced its stage include "Rent," "Movin' Out," "Newsies," and "War Paint," among others. These productions have contributed to the theater's reputation as a venue for top-quality performances.

Legacy:

The Nederlander Theatre, like many other historic Broadway theaters, has played a crucial role in shaping the cultural landscape of New York City and the broader theater community. Its distinctive architecture and rich history make it a cherished part of Broadway's heritage.

Notable Productions

As the National, the theater hosted a mix of musicals and straight plays that included The Cat and the Canary, The Trial of Mary Dugan, Grand Hotel, Noel Coward's Tonight at 8:30, The Little Foxes starring Tallulah Bankhead, Alan Jay Lerner and Frederick Loewe's What's Up? and The Day Before Spring, Call Me Mister, Judith Anderson and John Gielgud in Medea, Lend an Ear, Camino Real, Inherit the Wind, and Once More with Feeling. After being named the Billy Rose, the theater presented such plays as Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?, Tiny Alice, Old Times, and Jumpers.

During its brief time as the Trafalgar, there was Whose Life Is It Anyway? and Betrayal. Since being named the Nederlander Theatre, offerings have included Lena Horne: The Lady and Her Music, 84 Charing Cross Road, Wind in the Willows, Rent, and Million Dollar Quartet.

Other Famous Shows That Played At This Theatre

Works by distinguished playwrights like Lillian Hellman, Sean O'Casey, Clifford Odets, and Tennessee Williams appeared here. The celebrated songwriting team Lerner & Loewe (who would go on to create the classics My Fair Lady and Camelot) made their Broadway debut at the National Theatre with What's Up?

Orson Welles and John Houseman's Mercury Theatre company brought productions of Julius Caesar and The Shoemaker's Holiday, which featured stars like Joseph Cotten, Vincent Price, and Welles himself, to this theater.

Nederlander Theatre Design

On street block South of the flashy 42nd Street, the Nederlander is the lone theater on 41st street and can often be easy to overlook. For years, the theater was run down and not very exciting - with poor seating, bad audio, a bland brick exterior and a prominent fire escape at the front of the building.

The Nederlander Theatre was ideal for scrappy upstart musicals and the theatre famously found its perfect match in Rent way back in 1995.

The bohemian musical remained its tenant from 1995 to 2008 and the following Rent's departure, the Nederlander finally got a much-needed renovation, but still struggles to this day find another long-term tenant that will pay for its next round of renovations.