Inside the TheatreStep Inside Broadway’s Helen Hayes Theater, Home of What the Constitution Means to MeInside the Theatre, the photo feature series that documents Broadway’s historic playhouses, continues with the Hayes.
By
Marc J. Franklin
May 23, 2019
Playbill’s Inside the Theatre captures the dazzling architecture and unseen details of the world’s most famous theatres, taking you inside all 40 of Broadway's currently-operating houses.
Presently named after the famed actor Helen Hayes, the Hayes Theater opened in 1912 as the Little Theatre, designed by Ingalls and Hoffman for producer Winthrop Ames. Originally built with 299 seats, it remains the smallest Broadway house. In 2018, the theatre re-opened with a new design by Tony Award winner David Rockwell under Second Stage Theatre.
The Helen Hayes Theater is currently home to Heidi Schreck’s Tony-nominated play, What The Constitution Means to Me, which continues its extedended run through August 24.
Flip through photos of the theatre below:
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Photos: Step Inside Broadway’s Helen Hayes Theater
Photos: Step Inside Broadway’s Helen Hayes Theater
12 PHOTOS
Helen Hayes Theatre
Originally named The Little Theatre, the venue was built in 1912 by Wintrhop Ames as a rebellion against Broadway commercialism.
Designed with only 299 seats, the theatre was made to be an intimate house for the production of noncommercial plays that were too risky to stage in large Broadway theatres.
The theatre was created with a red-brick and green-shuttered exterior, a colonial-style lobby with a fireplace, and an inclined auditorium without balcony or boxes for an unobstructed view of the stage.
The theatre opened on March 12, 1912 with a production of John Galsworthy’s The Pigeon, which critic Ward Morehouse described as “a thoughtfully written comedy that brought forth human and delightful characterizations from Frank Reicher and Russ Whytal.”
In the 1940’s the theatre ceased functioning Broadway house, functioning as the headquarters from the New York Times from 1942-1959 and then becoming an ABC television studio until 1963, where it returned to legitimacy with a production of Tambourines to Glory, a gospel play by Langston Hughes and Jobe Huntley.
Throughout its history, the theatre ushered in the Broadway debut of seminal works including Torch Song Trilogy and Prelude to a Kiss. In addition, the theatre has been the home to performances acting luminaries including Alec Baldwin, Matthew Broderick.
In July 1983 the former Little Theatre was officially renamed the Helen Hayes in honor of one of America’s most beloved actresses.
Throughout its history, the theatre ushered in the Broadway debut of seminal works including Torch Song Trilogy and Prelude to a Kiss.
In 2015, Second Stage Theatre purchased the theatre, becoming the first Broadway house dedicated to producing exclusively living American playwrights.
Helen Hayes Theatre auditorium
The Helen Hayes Theatre is currently home of Heidi Schreck’s Tony nominated play, What The Constitution Means to Me, which is scheduled to play through August 24.
While audiences wait for Company to resume performances, revisit the Jacobs Theatre and get a closer look at the details you might miss before the show—plus a deep dive into the theatre's history.
While theatres remain dark, revisit some of your favorites with Inside the Theatre, and get a closer look at the details you might miss before the show—plus a deep dive into the theatre's history.
While theatres remain dark, revisit some of your favorites with Inside the Theatre, and get a closer look at the details you might miss before the show—plus a deep dive into the theatre's history.
While theatres remain dark, revisit some of your favorites with Inside the Theatre, and get a closer look at the details you might miss before the show.
While theatres remain dark, revisit some of your favorites with Inside the Theatre, and get a closer look at the details you might miss before the show.
While theatres remain dark, revisit some of your favorites with Inside the Theatre, and get a closer look at the details you might miss before the show.
