Barrymore Theatre, New York
Seating Chart

In 1928, famed actress Ethel Barrymore had a theater not just named after her, but built for her. Opening that December with The Kingdom of God, the Barrymore Theatre is the sole remaining venue named for Broadway moguls the Shubert brothers’ affiliated performers.

The Barrymore Theatre has housed revivals, small dramas and star-studded performances thanks to its intimate but grand design. Frequent Shubert collaborator Herbert J. Krapp drew on a medley of influences from Roman terracotta above the entrance, to a lavish and warm fusion of Edwardian, neo-classical and Mediterranean décor inside.

Ethel Barrymore trod the boards of her namesake for around a decade in various plays and revivals, and the theater has enjoyed a distinguished history since. Past productions include Noel Coward’s Design for Living (1933), Marlon Brando in A Streetcar Named Desire (1947), Lorraine Hansberry’s A Raisin in the Sun (1959), and more recently the Broadway transfer of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time (2014).

The Barrymore Theatre seating chart has a capacity of around 1,058 and features three levels – the Orchestra, Front Mezzanine and Rear Mezzanine. The Orchestra is the largest section, seating just over half of the audience including wheelchair accessible seats. Views across the three sub-sections of the Orchestra are generally good, with premium seats in the Center. The Front Mezzanine offers wide views of the stage whilst a good rake ensures the Rear Mezzanine, though distant, retains decent sightlines. There are also six Boxes to the left and right of the Orchestra for a more personal experience.

Tips

• Step-free access to Orchestra, wheelchair and transfer seats
• Lower lounge bar serving before performances
• Waiter service for wheelchair patrons
• Coat check doesn’t accept strollers or furs
• Children under four are not permitted into the theater

Good value seats

It’s commonly agreed that the Barrymore Theater doesn’t have a bad seat thanks to its size, although sitting further back or to the sides may cause some restricted views. In particular, Center Orchestra seats a few rows back from the premium or those ranging from the back of the Front Mezzanine to the beginning of the Rear Mezzanine offer clear views for a lower price.

Premium seats

The front middle seats of the Center Orchestra offer the best views, although be sure to sit a couple of rows back if you want to prevent neck strain from looking up at actors too much. Rows F or G are ideal. The first row of the Front Mezzanine is also premium in price, view and experience.