Broadway History: The Ambassador Theatre
The first time I ever visited the Ambassador Theatre. I wandered back and forth in front of the theatre for a while (trying to look cool even though I was nervous and a little lost) before finally finding the stage door. I rang the buzzer next to the big gate and a heavy metal door swung open. Then I had to walk down a super creepy alleyway until finally reaching the stage door. To me, Broadway theaters all feel like walking into weird magical old haunted houses. I just can’t get enough! I never realized what a history nerd I was until I started this blog. So, I hope you enjoy this post about one of the most unique theaters in the world, and a New York City historic landmark, the Ambassador Theatre.
The Ambassador Theatre was designed by the architect Herbert J. Krapp for the Shuberts. (The Shubert family were theatre owners, producers, and were responsible for founding the Broadway Theatre District.) The structure of the Ambassador is unique because it has limited lot space - the architect built the theater diagonally in order to fit in as many seats as possible. Because of the strange layout, there is very limited wing space on either side of the stage and the grid above the stage is also diagonal. From the outside of the theater, you would never know about the layout inside. When I discovered this fun fact while researching, I totally geeked out and I am now determined to get backstage there to check out the diagonal situation for myself!
The Ambassador Theatre opened on February 11, 1921, with the musical "The Rose Girl.” The Ambassador was one of four theatres the Shuberts constructed on 48th and 49th streets. These theaters – the Walter Kerr (formerly the Ritz), the Eugene O'Neil (formerly the Forrest), and the 49th St (now demolished) – were part of the Shuberts post-World War I rapid expansion. (Of the four only the Ambassador is still owned by the Shubert Organization.)
The theatre was thriving until the Great Depression hit Broadway hard in 1935, and the Shuberts had to sell the Ambassador. For twenty years, the newly-named Ambassador Tele-Theatre operated as a movie theater and as an NBC and DuMont Television Network television studio. The Shuberts were finally able to regain ownership in 1956 and restored the theatre to its Broadway roots.
In 1996 the Tony, Olivier, and Grammy-winning musical “Chicago” was revived and has called the Ambassador Theatre home ever since. The legendary show holds the record as the longest-running musical revival and the longest-running American musical in Broadway history. I think it’s only fitting such a unique show lives on in a one-of-a-kind theatre.
Fun Facts:
The theatre became a New York City Landmark in 1985.
In 1996, the show "Bring in 'Da Noise, Bring in 'Da Funk" was the theatre's biggest hit to date.
The Ambassador sits at 219 West 49th Street between Broadway and 8th Avenue.
So far, the theatre has housed thirty-two productions, including “Godspell,” “You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown”, and “The Diary of Anne Frank”.
Images by Laurel Creative
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