Barrymore Theatre
Barrymore Theatre
4.5
About
The Ethel Barrymore Theatre is the only surviving theatre of the many Lee and J.J. Shubert built for performers who were affiliated with them. Ethel Barrymore was part of the renowned Barrymore acting dynasty, and her tremendous popularity in New York and London society established her as a household name in the US and England. She had achieved stardom under the management of producer Charles Frohman beginning in 1901. In 1928, the Shuberts offered to build her a theatre and commission a play for her to premiere in her namesake house. The Barrymore is the last theatre Lee and J.J. Shubert built. Designed by Herbert Krapp, its exterior was modeled on the design of public baths in Rome, with a two-story terra-cotta grillwork screen. The interior decor combines Elizabethan, Mediterranean, and Adamsesque styles. The most elaborate interior element is the boxes, which feature a sunburst pattern over a columned portico.
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The area
Address
Neighbourhood: Theater District
How to get there
- 49th St • 3 min walk
- 50th St • 4 min walk
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4.5
226 reviews
Excellent
126
Very good
68
Average
15
Poor
6
Terrible
11
FlightAvenger
394 contributions
Jan 2023 • Couples
Most theaters were built 30-50 years prior, with this as no exception. Be careful when purchasing. It is a tight squeeze so be mindful of WHERE you decide to sit, especially in the Upper Mezzanine level. Persons with physical challenges, including disabilities and persons of size will be best served on the main level. Thankfully, there were chairs placed for people to rest.
Bathrooms are on the lowest level though, which is very challenging for most crowds.
Have seen many plays here and love the location, as parking is right next door...for a hefty fee ($85). Staff is as stellar as the Productions they bring. Extremely congenial and efficient.
Bathrooms are on the lowest level though, which is very challenging for most crowds.
Have seen many plays here and love the location, as parking is right next door...for a hefty fee ($85). Staff is as stellar as the Productions they bring. Extremely congenial and efficient.
Written 25 January 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ethel J
1 contribution
Dec 2023 • Solo
I loved the show "Harmony" This story needed to be told. Hitler destroyed a lot of Careers. Bruce Sussman and Barry Manilow did a great job. The singing and dancing were also very good.
Written 15 December 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Millie N
49 contributions
Aug 2015 • Family
This play is phenomenal! The cast was fantastic and the effects and how the play was brought to life was just incredible! The theater is just off of time square and is very nice, we got tickets at the very back on the mezzanine level but could still see the stage perfectly. Definitely worth watching if you have time, even the cheaper tickets provide an amazing experience.
Written 1 August 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
K K
Vancouver, BC776 contributions
Oct 2014 • Friends
This stage adaptation of Mark Haddon's novel is a visually stimulating story told with a broad spectrum of effects that transform the theatre into an avante-garde expression of emotion combined with dialogue, narration &, dare I say it, performance art. The stage often appears as a metaphor for the mind of Christopher, the main character. The overall experience is an exercise in seamless interaction between the performers & stage effects.
I suggest sitting in the middle of the Ethel Barrymore Theatre balcony, as the seating is well-terraced and offers the "best" view of the performance and stage effects.
I suggest sitting in the middle of the Ethel Barrymore Theatre balcony, as the seating is well-terraced and offers the "best" view of the performance and stage effects.
Written 10 October 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Helen D
Valley Forge, PA100 contributions
May 2015 • Friends
We were able to get tickets to Curious Incident of the Dog in The Nighttime at a discount at the TKTS booth north of TImes Square. They were box seats on the left side of the theater. Seats C1 and C3. There are 3 sections of box seats with each section having 4 seats. Seat 1 and 3 are at the railing. 2 and 4 are elevated closer to the wall/curtain. If you are offered C1/C3 you should jump on them quickly. Totally unobstructed. Better than first row Mezzanine and DEFINITELY better than orchestra especially for Curious Incident. I wonder how much of the visuals of the stage floor and "below" stage are missed by orchestra seating. The show itself will, I predict, win the Tony for Best Play and Best Actor! You wait and see!
Written 26 May 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MGB724
New York City, NY48 contributions
Jun 2018 • Couples
We have visited this theater twice, once for the Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime and most recently for the Band's Visit. Both times we sat in Center Rear Mezzanine. This theater is very small and we enjoyed the view from our section and were able to see everything clearly.
Written 9 June 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jake23
New Jersey6,846 contributions
Mar 2016 • Couples
This The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nightime is a great show for Everyone. If you are an educator, however who teaches children with autism, this is a must see. The show presents an excellent depiction of the struggles, interests and successes that a child with autism may experience. Certain parts will bring a tear to your eyes while others will make you smile. A great show overall. We literally sat in the last row, but were able to see perfectly. This is NOT a musical, like most Broadway shows, but worth seeing nonetheless.
Written 12 March 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
brewerpride06
Janesville, WI221 contributions
Jul 2015 • Couples
Beautiful theater, comfortable seating in this wonderful venue. This isn't a huge theater but one that offers great views throughout. There are bathrooms and a bar in the basement that offer to-go cups (bar not the bathroom). Side note, Curious Incident is an amazing play!
Written 19 July 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
magdalene
Stellenbosch, South Africa12 contributions
The best play with the most amazing set design ever. The tempo of this play literally took my breath away. The actors are fabulously talented and energetic.
If you only have time for one show; this is the one you must see.
If you only have time for one show; this is the one you must see.
Written 18 May 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lolly’s Look
New York City, NY15,009 contributions
Feb 2019
This play has garnered many Tony awards, so I did want to se it before it closed. Sadly, it was not up to the hype. There is no intermission so the show Geis like it drags on. In fact it was very slow in many parts. The show is a musical but it was difficult to get connected to any of the songs and it’s not a Broadway musical that has you tapping your toes and humming show tunes as you exit the theater.
Written 16 February 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Does the Ethel Barrymore theater have an elevator for physically challenged theater-goers?
Written 5 November 2022
Fran196150
Staten Island, New York
How is the view from the box seats. And is one side better than the other
Written 27 May 2018
I prefer center orchestra. Box seats, whether right or left, obstructs views on that particular side of the stage. You get more legroom, but I'd give up the legroom in order to see the full stage.
Written 27 May 2018
Yes, this is not a large theater so line of sight is better than more modern places.
Written 9 June 2017
Hi - please advise if you have accommodation for a family of 5 (2 adults & 3 children) for 2 nights 29 - 31 Dec 2015. we will have a car - please advise if you have free parking
Thank you
Linda
South Africa
Written 13 October 2015
There aren't any free parking garages, but there is an Icon Parking garage next to the Barrymore Theatre at 257 West 47th Street.
Written 10 November 2015
We are ready to purchase tickets for the Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime but wish to find out more information about the view from the Front or Rear Mezzanine. Can you please advise us regarding the view from Rows D or E in the Front Mezzanine versus the the first 2 rows of the Rear Mezzanine? My wife is only 5 ft 2 and am concerned about her ability to see over others sitting in front of her. We plan to see the play on Friday November 27th, 2015 at 8 pm.
Written 17 June 2015
hello, we purchased tickets in left orchestra, row B. I have seen some reviews that state the first few rows of the theater are lower than the stage. Is this true?
Written 12 January 2015
I don't anticipate a problem. Enjoy the show. It's great.
Written 12 January 2015
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