LUCIA
HISTORY
Lee Shubert built the Booth Theatre in partnership with the producer Winthrop Ames. Named for the actor Edwin Booth (1833-1893), brother to the infamous John Wilkes Booth, the venue was actually the second New York theatre to bear this name. The first was built by Booth himself in 1869 on 23rd Street and 6th Avenue. Ames’s father had been devoted to preserving the actor’s legacy, so Winthrop’s decision to name this theatre after Booth honored not only the actor, but connected his own family’s interest with the actor’s rich theatrical history. Ames intended to present the most challenging and prestigious productions possible here.
ARCHITECTURE
The Booth was designed by Henry Herts to be one of a pair of playhouses: the Booth and the Shubert Theatres abut each other along Shubert Alley in one seamless unit. Styled with “restrained classicism,” the Booth is the smaller, less extravagant of the two houses. The sgraffito that adorns the exterior of both theaters is the last known surviving example in New York of this once popular decorating technique. Ames had an extensive knowledge of the architecture and technical advances of contemporary European theatres and modeled his theatre and productions after them.
Spotlight on Broadway: Booth Theatre from Spotlight on Broadway on Vimeo.
Details on the Booth Theatre's Accessibility
Access Information
Theatre is not completely wheelchair accessible.
Shubert Audience Services
The Booth Theatre provides accommodations for patrons who are blind, deaf, partially sighted, and/or have hearing loss. The theatre provides infrared assistive listening devices for every performance at the theatre. In addition, beginning four weeks after a show’s official opening night performance, hand-held audio description devices and hand-held captioning devices are available, and there is unlimited access to downloadable audio description and/or captioning for personal mobile devices free of charge. (Hand-held devices are limited, although additional devices can be obtained with at least twenty-four hours’ notice.) If you have questions, contact Shubert Audience Services at 212-944-3700 or audienceservices@shubertorg.com. There is also a representative at the Shubert Audience Services kiosk at every performance to assist any patron with any of our devices, software, or technology.
Accessibility by Seating Section
Orchestra: Seating is accessible to all parts of the Orchestra without steps. Wheelchair seating is located in the Orchestra only.
Mezzanine (second level): 2 flights of stairs (up 31 steps). Please note, once on the Mezzanine Level there are approximately 2 steps up/down per row. Entrance to Mezzanine is behind Row H.
Handrails: Available at the end of every stepped seat row in the Mezzanine.
Wheelchair | Companion Seat Locations:
Orchestra: P101 | 102, O101 -102; P105 | P104, O105 - 106; P107 | P108, O108 - 109; P120 | P119, O119 - 120; P110 | P109, O112 -113; P112 P113, O115 - 116
Aisle Seat with Folding Armrest | Companion Locations:
Orchestra: L101 | L102; L120 | L119
Elevators/Escalator
None Available
Payphone
Located in lobby. Accessible at 54".
Restroom
Wheelchair accessible restroom available.
Water Fountain
Located in concessions lobby. Accessible at 36".
Theatre Policies
The use of cameras, recording devices, cell phones, beepers, and other electronic devices during the performance is prohibited. Everyone attending a performance must have a ticket. Latecomers will be seated at the discretion of management. Wheelchair and mobility-impaired seating is intended for patrons with mobility disabilities. Children under the age of four years will not be admitted. No outside food or beverage permitted, unless medically necessary. No weapons permitted on the premises.
