American Airlines Theatre Capacity
The American Airlines Theatre has a capacity of 723 seats. Section capacities are 458 Orchestra and 265 Mezzanine. Use our interactive seating chart to view 191 seat reviews and 180 photos of views from seat.
Venue Overview
Before gaining the commercial name of the company that funded its renovation, the American Airlines Theatre was christened the Selwyn Theatre, opening in 1918. Over the years it has operated as a performing arts venue and a B-movie theater, before the New 42nd Street development project and Roundabout Theatre Company kickstarted its return to dramatic use in 2000. Roundabout's other Broadway venues include the Stephen Sondheim Theatre.
The American Airlines Theatre may look new from the outside – and it has undergone extensive renovation to make legroom more expansive and sightlines cleaner - but the interior retains some of designer George Keister’s original décor and plasterwork. These combine modern comforts in the Penthouse Lounge with the elegance of classic Broadway. Featuring just two levels of seating and an intimate feel, it has become a highly successful venue for revivals of classic plays and new dramas.
Notable productions at the American Airlines Theatre since its reopening include revivals of Harold Pinter’s Betrayal (2000, starring Juliette Binoche, Liev Schreiber, and John Slattery), Noel Coward’s Present Laughter (2010) and Arthur Miller’s The Price (2017). Myriad Broadway premiers have graced its stage, covering everything from classic road trips with a twist in Violet (2014) to Shakespearean actresses in Bernhardt/Hamlet (2018).
There are around 740 seats in the American Airlines Theatre, spread across the Orchestra and Mezzanine above. The Orchestra is the larger of the two, with seating split into Left, Center and Right blocks divided by aisles. An excellent view from seat is afforded from the mid-front of the Center Orchestra, although from most areas the view is decent thanks to the small auditorium size. The Mezzanine is more unique, being just one long section with no center aisles. Those sitting in the far rows and corners of both sections will experience more angled views than the rest of the seating chart. Prices start high in front rows, with good value cheap seats at the back of the Mezzanine.
Tips
• The theatre is entirely accessible, with elevators to every floor
• Be aware that the Mezzanine has no center aisle
• Patrons can enjoy a pre-show drink with a view in the Penthouse Lobby
• Step-free access from the street into accessible seating
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Good value seats
Depending on your budget, there are various options for good value seating. The middle rows of the Mezzanine have an overhead view of the stage for less than the premium front rows, whilst seats towards the inside of the Left and Right Orchestra don’t sit at too much of an angle. The American Airlines Theatre is a small venue with few truly bad seats, however.
Premium seats
The best seats in American Airlines Theatre are towards the front of the Center Orchestra and rows A and B in the middle of the Mezzanine. In particular, rows C to H of the Orchestra are excellent for a comfortable yet intimate view of the stage, and row A of the Center Mezzanine is sought after for its sweeping angles.
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