The Richard Rodgers Theatre New York has a capacity of 1324 seats. Section capacities are 796 Orchestra, 276 Front Mezzanine and 252 Rear Mezzanine. Use our interactive seating chart to view 275 seat reviews and 253 photos of views from seat.
The Richard Rodgers Theatre is quite a large venue, with seating spread across the Orchestra, a Front Mezzanine, and a Rear Mezzanine. Legroom can be very tight in the Rear Mezzanine. Sightlines remain impressively clear across the venue thanks to stadium-style elevated seating and decent rakes, although the Mezzanine overhang at the back of the Orchestra is rather prominent and, like most Broadway theaters, seats at the back and far edges tend to be more partial view.
The Richard Rodgers Theatre opened in 1924, when it was called Chanin’s 46th Street Theatre. It was the first of the Chanin Brothers’ six Broadway venues, later owned by the Shubert Organization in 1931 and the Nederlander Organization from 1982. In 1990, the venue was renamed in honor of the late composer Richard Rodgers, whose work included
The Sound of Music and
The King and I.
Prolific theater designer Herbert Krapp added another venue to his portfolio with the Richard Rodgers Theatre. His most innovative decision at the theater was the introduction of elevated stadium-style seating in the back half of the Orchestra. This meant theatergoers could sit further back – and spend less money – whilst still enjoying a view unobstructed by those in front of them.
Notable productions at the Richard Rodgers Theatre include
Guys and Dolls (1950) and
Chicago (1975, now playing at the
Ambassador Theatre), and in total the venue has housed 11 Tony Award-winners in the Best Play or Best Musical categories. In recent years, the theater has become known as the room where Lin-Manuel Miranda’s hit musical
Hamilton happens, since its Broadway debut in 2015. Miranda’s previous musical,
In the Heights, also played at the Richard Rodgers Theatre in 2008.
Know Before You Go
• Step-free accessible seating in the front of the Orchestra
• Cloakroom services are available during winter; no bags or luggage are accepted
• Bag checks are conducted at the theater; allow plenty of time to get to your seat
• Drinks and refreshments can be expensive, so plan accordingly