Inside the Theatre, the photo feature series that documents Broadway’s historic playhouses, continues with the Walter Kerr Theatre.
Playbill’s photo series Inside the Theatre captures the dazzling architecture and unseen details of the world’s most famous theatres, taking you inside all 41 of the Broadway houses.
The Walter Kerr Theatre opened as the Ritz in 1921, designed by Herbert J. Krapp for the Shuberts. Following decades of use as a broadcast studio and cinema, Jujamcyn Theatres purchased and restored the venue to legitimate use as the Walter Kerr, named for the New York theatre critic.
Flip through photos of the theatre below:
Step Inside Broadway’s Walter Kerr Theatre
Step Inside Broadway’s Walter Kerr Theatre
Inside the Theatre, the photo feature series that documents Broadway’s historic playhouses, continues with the Walter Kerr Theatre.
17 PHOTOS
First named The Ritz, the Walter Kerr Theatre was built by the Shuberts as the sister to the Ambassador Theatre in 1921.
Designed by architect Herbert J. Krapp, the theatre was created in an Italian Renaissance style, with its interiors adorned with gold leaf and Italian scrollwork.
Marc J. Franklin
On March 21, 1921, the theatre opened with Clare Eames in John Drinkwater’s Mary Stuart, ushering in a flourishing decade as the home of many distinguished plays and players.
Marc J. Franklin
Walter Kerr Theatre auditorium
Marc J. Franklin
In 1939 the Ritz became the CBS Theatre No. 4, from which live radio shows were broadcast. It briefly returned to legitimacy from the end of 1942 but by the end of 1943, it resumed use as a radio and TV studio.
Marc J. Franklin
It was not until December 1970 that the Ritz returned to legitimacy. It would later transition to Jujamcyn’s ownership in 1983.
Marc J. Franklin
Walter Kerr Theatre auditorium
Marc J. Franklin
Walter Kerr Theatre auditorium
Marc J. Franklin
In 1990, the theatre was rechristened as the Walter Kerr in honor of the Pulitzer Prize-winning drama critic for The New York Times and the Herald Tribune.
Marc J. Franklin
In addition, 1990 Jujamcyn spent $1.5 million to restore the Ritz to its original splendor, recreating its classical feeling of the 1920s. The theatre restored ceiling decorations and murals and designed Art Deco-type sconces, chandeliers, balcony, and ceiling lights to achieve illumination without jarring glare. The theatre also acquired one of the most colorful marquees on Broadway, framing the tenant’s title with a rainbow of hundreds of tiny lightbulbs.
Marc J. Franklin
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Currently playing at the theatre is Springsteen on Broadway, which earned music icon Bruce Springsteen a 2018 Special Tony Award. The show opened October 12, 2017, and the extended engagement will play its final show December 15.
While audiences wait for Company to resume performances, revisit the Jacobs Theatre and get a closer look at the details you might miss before the show—plus a deep dive into the theatre's history.
While theatres remain dark, revisit some of your favorites with Inside the Theatre, and get a closer look at the details you might miss before the show—plus a deep dive into the theatre's history.
While theatres remain dark, revisit some of your favorites with Inside the Theatre, and get a closer look at the details you might miss before the show—plus a deep dive into the theatre's history.
While theatres remain dark, revisit some of your favorites with Inside the Theatre, and get a closer look at the details you might miss before the show.
While theatres remain dark, revisit some of your favorites with Inside the Theatre, and get a closer look at the details you might miss before the show.
While theatres remain dark, revisit some of your favorites with Inside the Theatre, and get a closer look at the details you might miss before the show.
