Ambassador Theatre
| Ambassador Theatre 219 West 49th Street New York, NY 10019 Click Here For More Info On The Theatre |
Location
The Ambassador Theatre is located on the north side of 49th Street, between Broadway and Eighth Avenue. It is number 7 on The Broadway Map.
Parking
See our discount parking guide for parking near this theater
Background
The Ambassador Theatre opened in 1921 and has retained its name since that time, though records seem to indicate that for a very brief period following a 1980 renovation it was called the "New Ambassador Theatre". The house was built by the Shuberts, but that famous family of theater owners sold the Ambassador in 1935. From that point, the theater had many rocky years, notably a period in the late '30s and a lengthy stretch from the mid-'40s to mid-'50s when it ceased being a legitimate space. During that time, it was used for everything but drama, being utilized as a movie house and as a studio for radio and television broadcasts. But in 1956, the Shubert Organization bought the Ambassador Theatre back and refurbished it. Over the years such Broadway luminaries as Ethel Waters, Danny Kaye, and Rex Harrison have performed on this stage, and it was here that Kristin Chenoweth became a star in a revival of You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown.
Design
Herbert Krapp, Broadway's busiest architect, built the Ambassador Theatre on a diagonal, making room for a theater where there really was none. Unfortunately, though, the wide stage that he designed makes for inferior sight lines on the extreme sides of the orchestra. With approximately 1,100 seats, the Ambassador is a flexible space, adaptable for both plays and musicals. The theater has handsome wood doors, and a very attractive and intriguing fascade of light brown patterned brick.
Directions:
By Subway, take the C/E to 50th Street, walk south on Eight Avenue and then turn left onto 49th Street. Or take either the 1 train to 50th Street, walk south on Broadway and then make a right onto 49th Street. Or take the N/R to 49th Street and walk west.
Best Seats
Poor sight lines exist for orchestra seats 13 through 30 and poor acoustics exist for rows J through P. The mezzanine is a good bet, especially rows A through C and seats 100 through 128.
Previous Shows
The Ambassador Theatre has hosted memorable shows like Blossom Time, The Lion in Winter, You Know I Can't Hear You When the Water's Running, We Bombed in New Haven, Celebration, Ain't Supposed to Die a Natural Death, Miss Margarida's Way, Eubie!, Leader of the Pack, and Arthur Miller's The Ride Down Mt. Morgan. Many of the Ambassador Theatre's most well-known productions have been transfers, such as Street Scene, School for Brides, The Diary of Anne Frank, The Tenth Man, Stop the World - I Want to Get Off, Godspell, Dancin', the tap dance sensation Bring in 'da Noise, Bring in 'da Funk and Suzan Lori-Parks's play Topdog/Underdog (both originally at the Public Theater), and, most recently, the mega-hit revival of Chicago.
Seating Chart:
