Hayes Theater New York
Hayes Theater Tickets
What’s On at Hayes Theater
The Hayes Theater is a fantastic venue if you want to enjoy Broadway in an intimate space, with plays especially prominent in its programming. Shows to book tickets for in 2026 and onwards include a revival of The Fantasticks, which is known as America's longest-running musical! This bold new version gender-swaps the main characters in a sweeping story of love, deception and family. Other shows to catch at the Hayes include Branden Jacobs-Jenkins' Gloria on Broadway - a gripping black comedy set in the high-pressure environment of an NYC magazine office.
About the Hayes Theater
The Hayes Theater is officially the smallest on Broadway, which explains why it was originally called the Little Theatre when it opened in 1912. The goal of the Little Theatre was to present smaller-scale productions, rather than the large, elaborate musicals that would come to dominate Broadway.
Harry Creighton Ingalls, of Ingalls & Hoffman, was the architect behind the original design, which seated only 300. It was first redesigned in the 1920s by Herbert J. Krapp, increasing capacity to 590. After being sold to the New York Times for use as a conference hall in 1931, then being bought by Martin Markinson and Donald Tick in 1979, the smaller-scale was renamed the Helen Hayes Theater in 1983, to honour the legendary film and stage actress of the same name. As with many Broadway theatres, the facade and interior of the Hayes Theater was listed as an NYC Landmark in 1987.
In 2015 the Helen Hayes Theater was officially sold to Second Stage Theater Company, one of only four non-profit theatre companies operating on Broadway. The theatre was renamed The Hayes Theater in 2018. The first production under Second Stage was 2018’s Lobby Hero written by Kenneth Lonergan (screenwriter of Gangs of New York), featuring movie stars Michael Cera and Chris Evans.
Recently renovated and modernised, the Hayes Theater is a charming, intimate theatre that now focuses on an output of contemporary plays by living American playwrights.
Know Before You Go
- The Hayes Theater does not offer a coat check service
Map and Address
240 W 44th Street, New York, 10036
The address of the Hayes Theatre is 240 West 44th Street, around the corner from Times Square and surrounded by other venues such as the Shubert Theatre and St. James Theatre. Some notable nearby restaurants include Ellen’s Stardust Diner, Russian Samovar and Blue Fin. The central Broadway location is easily accessible from the subway and buses, Several parking garages are nearby but, as with any other venue, it is recommended to arrive and park several hours before the show if you want to ensure you get a space.
