Gershwin Theatre Seating Chart
The Gershwin Theatre is a Broadway house at 222 West 51st Street in New York, on the second floor of the Paramount Plaza office building. Run by the Nederlander Organization, it opened on November 28, 1972 as the Uris Theatre and was renamed for George and Ira Gershwin in 1983. Wikipedia calls it Broadway's largest theater, with about 1,933 seats. It has been the home of Wicked since October 2003, and its lobby holds the American Theater Hall of Fame.
Quick answer
The Gershwin Theatre has about 1,933 seats, the figure the Broadway League gives, which makes it Broadway's largest theater; Playbill lists 1,926. About 1,300 seats are in the orchestra and about 600 in the mezzanine.
- The mezzanine splits into Front (rows A to E), Mid (F and G) and Rear (H to M).
- Wicked has played here since October 2003.
- Wheelchair seats are in the rear orchestra and the mezzanine, both reached by the lobby elevator.
- Children under 5 aren't admitted to Wicked.
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Sections at Gershwin Theatre
The Gershwin Theatre has two seating levels, a large orchestra and a mezzanine split into front, mid and rear zones. The row ranges below come from the official Wicked FAQ and published descriptions of the theater; the official seat map couldn't be checked.
- Orchestra — the main level, about 1,300 seats, including double-lettered rows BB and CC
- Front Mezzanine — rows A to E of the upper level
- Mid Mezzanine — rows F and G
- Rear Mezzanine — rows H to M
Best seats at Gershwin Theatre
The Wicked team generally places its premium seats in the first twenty rows of the center orchestra and the first two rows of the center mezzanine. A low safety bar runs in front of the front mezzanine, so the first row there may not suit children or shorter guests. The mezzanine has shaped side walls rather than box seats, and Wikipedia notes rows are spaced 36 inches apart.
Tips before you go
Enter through the arcade between 50th and 51st Streets and ride the escalators up to the lobby on the second floor. Expect metal detectors at the door, and every bag is inspected; luggage, shopping bags and other large packages aren't allowed if they won't fit at your seat. For Wicked, the show recommends ages 8 and up, and children under 5 aren't admitted. Bars are on the front orchestra and mezzanine levels.
How to read the Gershwin Theatre seating chart
The orchestra is the main level, and it includes double-lettered rows such as BB and CC. Upstairs, the mezzanine runs from row A to row M: Front Mezzanine is rows A to E, Mid Mezzanine rows F and G, and Rear Mezzanine rows H to M.
The theater sits on the second floor of an office building, so every guest goes up from the street. The bars are on the front orchestra and mezzanine levels.
Wheelchair and companion seats are at the rear of the orchestra, on the third floor, and in the mezzanine, on the fourth. The main orchestra level isn't reachable by elevator; the rear orchestra is, via the lobby elevator for guests with disabilities. An induction loop serves guests with telecoils. Seats BB 1 to 3, BB 2 to 4, CC 1 to 3 and CC 2 to 4 are held for low-vision, deaf or hard-of-hearing guests.
Building a seating chart for an event at Gershwin Theatre
The Gershwin is a working Broadway house, home to Wicked since 2003, and we found no public rental listing with event capacities. Its lobby holds the American Theater Hall of Fame, and designer Ralph Alswang described the 1972 interior as Art Nouveau.
Hosting a private event at Gershwin Theatre?
Sketch your Gershwin Theatre event in minutes — rounds for dinner service, rows for the presentation, a head table where it belongs. Up to 500 seats per layout, finished as a print-ready PDF the New York event team can work from.
Open the seating chart generatorFrequently asked questions
- How many seats are in the Gershwin Theatre?
- The Gershwin Theatre has about 1,933 seats, the figure the Broadway League gives, which makes it Broadway's largest theater; Playbill lists 1,926. About 1,300 seats are in the orchestra and about 600 in the mezzanine.
- What are the best seats at Gershwin Theatre?
- The Wicked team generally places its premium seats in the first twenty rows of the center orchestra and the first two rows of the center mezzanine. A low safety bar runs in front of the front mezzanine, so the first row there may not suit children or shorter guests. The mezzanine has shaped side walls rather than box seats, and Wikipedia notes rows are spaced 36 inches apart.
- What sections does Gershwin Theatre have?
- Main sections include: Orchestra — the main level, about 1,300 seats, including double-lettered rows BB and CC; Front Mezzanine — rows A to E of the upper level; Mid Mezzanine — rows F and G. Full breakdown in the sections list above.
- Where is Gershwin Theatre located?
- The Gershwin Theatre is at 222 West 51st Street, New York, between Broadway and 8th Avenue. Enter through the arcade between 50th and 51st Streets and take the escalators up to the second-floor lobby.
- How do I plan a private event at Gershwin Theatre?
- For a theater party before or after Wicked, book your dinner nearby. Then put your Gershwin group at the right tables with our free seating planner.