American Airlines Theatre

Best Seats In The House

• Seats: 740

Parking for American Airlines Theatre

The closest parking garages for American Airlines Theatre are located at:

ICON Advance Parking

249-253 W 43rd Street
New York, NY 10019

212-221-8902

QUIK Park Theater Lot

223 W 46 Street
New York, NY 10019

212-997-1636

The closest parking is not always the best as it often takes longer to park and retrieve your vehicle as fellow theatre goers have the same idea. A better choice of parking may be the second choice or further away by a couple of Avenues.

Additional Notes

Landlord: Roundabout Theatre Company

Official Ticketer: Roundabout

Elevator: Yes

Escalator: Yes

Disabled Access Notes:

Elevators are available to all levels of the theatre and there are no steps leading in to the theatre. Wheelchair accessible seating can be found in both the Orchestra and Mezzanine sections.

American Airlines Theatre History

Prior to it being know as "The Todd Haimes Theatre", this venue was known as the "American Airlines Theatre" and originally known as as "The Selwyn Theatre". At the time of construction it was named for the producer brothers Arch and Edgar Selwyn who built it in 1918. The theatre was designed in the Italian Renaissance style, with a brick-and-terracotta facade.

Theatre Name History:

• 1918: Selwyn Theatre
• 2000 American Airlines Theatre
• 2024 Todd Haimes Theatre

Theatre Is Owned By New York City and New York State

The theatre is owned by the city and state governments of New York and leased to New 42nd Street. It has 740 seats across two levels and is operated by Roundabout Theatre Company. Since 2000, the theater has been named for American Airlines (AA), which bought the theater's naming rights.

Theatre Became a Movie House in 1934

The theatre was originally designed by George Keister, the Selwyn was especially popular for revues, but like many Broadway theaters, it struggled during the Great Depression and, by 1934, the theater had become a movie house.

1950's Saw Short Plays Before The Film Was Shown

There was a period in the '50s when each film was preceded by a short play, but this flirtation with live drama was brief and the Selwyn continued as a "grind house" for several decades, showing double features of second run and B movies. This was the lowest ebb of the theatre.

1990's 42nd Street Project

In the 1990s, the New 42nd Street Group headed a tremendous project that brought several historic Broadway theaters back to legitimacy, including the Selwyn. The non-profit Roundabout Theatre Company, which was being turned out of its space at the Criterion Center on 45th Street, leased the space and named it the American Airlines Theatre in honor of the company that was to help it fund the renovation of its new home.

The Controversial Name Change in 2000

The theatre name change to "The American Airlines Theatre" in 2000 was controversial because it was the first time a Broadway theatre had taken on a "brand" name to promote something that had nothing to do with theatre. Although American Airlines financed the significant repairs that were needed at the theatre, it raised eyebrows as the theatre is actually owned by the city and state government, who did not get a seat at the renaming table.

Renamed in November 2023 to The Todd Haimes Theatre

Todd Haimes joined NYC’s Roundabout Theatre Company in 1983 and became a driving force in the organization until 2023 when he died from cancer. The organization decided to rename the theatre in his honor in late 2023 to celebrate his life's passion for the theatre and specifically for the work he did for The Roundabout Theatre Group.

American Airlines Theatre Design

The shiny new modern-looking edifice of the American Airlines Theatre, which is pretty but somewhat sterile, conceals a gorgeous theater that has all the beauty of the original with a brand new sheen.

This is because in 1998 the old Selwyn Theatre was brought back to glorious life by a team of skilled craftsmen and artisans who restored the original theater's murals and ornamental plaster work while also improving its sightlines and acoustics.

The decidedly un-Broadway-like name of the theater, plus other concessions, like the "F.M. Kirby Box Office," hint at the fact that the restoration was done at a hefty price. But one look at the result, and you'll probably agree that it's worth these nods to crass commercialism -- the American Airlines is one stunning theater.