Helen Hayes Theatre

In 1912, producer Winthrop Ames built the littlest theater on Broadway and called it, appropriately, the Little Theatre.

At first the theatre had a mere 299 seats, the idea being to have a space to present more experimental works. Ames had limited success in doing this, and financial troubles forced him to add more seats and eventually to begin leasing the theater to other producers.

In the 1940s and '50s, the Little Theatre stopped presenting legit shows altogether and spent several years as The New York Times Hall and and then later as a TV studio.

1963 Began As A Broadway Theatre Again

It once again became a part of the Great White Way in 1963, spent a brief year as the Winthrop Ames Theatre in 1964 while housing The Subject Was Roses, and then reverted back to being the Little Theatre once more.

1983 Restoration And Renaming

In 1983, after receiving a thorough restoration, it finally became the Helen Hayes Theatre. Hayes, the beloved actress whose stage career spanned much of the 20th century, is often called "the First Lady of the American Theatre." These days, her theater is spoken of with as much fondness as the lady herself by aficionados who appreciate having this rare intimate space on Broadway.

In the quaint but dingy little lobby is a lovely plaque that reads "Dedicated to Helen Hayes, who has given life to the theatre."

Notable Productions At This Theatre

A couple of the greatest playwrights of the early 20th century had shows at the Helen Hayes Theatre (technically it was called the Little Theatre back then).

George Bernard Shaw's The Philanderer and Eugene O'Neill's first full-length play, Beyond the Horizon, both played here. Later notable plays and musicals included Gemini, Torch Song Trilogy, The Nerd, Romance/Romance, Artist Descending a Staircase, The Last Night of Ballyhoo, and Dirty Blonde.

In the last several years, the Helen Hayes has hosted some excellent one-person shows, such as Lynn Redgrave's Shakespeare For My Father, Rob Becker's Defending the Caveman, Say Goodnight, Gracie starring Frank Gorshin, and Golda's Balcony starring Tovah Feldshuh.

Although the awning above the entrance says "Helen Hayes Theatre", the building itself still bears the imprint of "The Little Theatre," providing both a reminder and a description of this cozy house.

The theater is the smallest on Broadway, and its intimate design lends well to small plays. The theater has a neo-Colonial design, with an exterior of red brick and white shutters that could probably use a paint job.