Playbill’s photo series Inside the Theatre captures the dazzling architecture and unseen details of the world’s most famous theatres, taking you inside all 41 of the Broadway houses.
The Music Box Theatre opened in 1921. Architect C. Howard Crane designed the theatre for producer Sam H. Harris and composer Irving Berlin, whose musical revues dominated the Music Box’s first years. With its seating capacity of 860, it remains a popular setting for intimate productions.
Flip through photos of the theatre below:
Music Box Theatre marquee
Marc J. Franklin
Designed by C. Howard Crane, the theatre opened on September 22, 1921 with the theatre’s first Music Box Revue starring Berlin, Sam Bernard, Florence Moore, Joseph Santley, and — in the chorus — young Miriam Hopkins.
Four editions of the Music Box Revue, starring such luminaries as Fanny Brice, Grace Moore, Bobby Clark, Robert Benchley and Charlotte Greenwood, brought fame to Berlin and the Music Box.
In 1925 the theatre departed from its revues-only policy to present a smash hit comedy called Cradle Snatchers, starring Mary Boland, Humphrey Bogart, Edna May Oliver and Raymond Guion.
While the depression stunted other theatres, the Music Box flourished, giving audiences comedic relief with shows such as Of Thee I Sing, which became the first musical comedy to win a Pulitizer Prize, Dinner at Eight, and the satire As Thousands Cheer.
Throughout its history, the theatre ushered in new works from legendary theatre writers including George S. Kaufman, Moss Hart, and George Gershwin as well as contemporary writers such as Tracy Letts and Aaron Sorkin.
The theatre also has been the home of performances from iconic actors including Angela Lansbury, Julianne Moore, and Phylicia Rashad.
After sharing ownership of the Music Box Theatre, the Shubert Organization purchasing it from Irving Berlin’s daughters in 2007.
Music Box Theatre auditorium
Music Box Theatre auditorium
Music Box Theatre auditorium
Music Box Theatre auditorium
Music Box Theatre auditorium
Posters of the historic Music Box Revues line the hallway to the mezzanine.
Music Box Revue poster
Tapestry in the Music Box Theatre hallway
Music Box Theatre lounge
Music Box Theatre lounge
The Music Box Theatre is presently the home to the Tony Award-winning Dear Evan Hansen.
