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 Walter Kerr Theatre opened as the Ritz in 1921, designed by Herbert J. Krapp for the Shuberts. Following decades of use as a broadcast studio and cinema, Jujamcyn Theatres purchased and restored the venue to legitimate use as the Walter Kerr, named for the New York theatre critic.
Flip through photos of the theatre below:
Walter Kerr Theatre Marquee
Designed by architect Herbert J. Krapp, the theatre was created in an Italian Renaissance style, with its interiors adorned with gold leaf and Italian scrollwork.
Marc J. Franklin
On March 21, 1921, the theatre opened with Clare Eames in John Drinkwater’s Mary Stuart, ushering in a flourishing decade as the home of many distinguished plays and players.
Walter Kerr Theatre auditorium
In 1939 the Ritz became the CBS Theatre No. 4, from which live radio shows were broadcast. It briefly returned to legitimacy from the end of 1942 but by the end of 1943, it resumed use as a radio and TV studio.
It was not until December 1970 that the Ritz returned to legitimacy. It would later transition to Jujamcyn’s ownership in 1983.
Walter Kerr Theatre auditorium
Walter Kerr Theatre auditorium
In 1990, the theatre was rechristened as the Walter Kerr in honor of the Pulitzer Prize-winning drama critic for The New York Times and the Herald Tribune.
In addition, 1990 Jujamcyn spent $1.5 million to restore the Ritz to its original splendor, recreating its classical feeling of the 1920s. The theatre restored ceiling decorations and murals and designed Art Deco-type sconces, chandeliers, balcony, and ceiling lights to achieve illumination without jarring glare. The theatre also acquired one of the most colorful marquees on Broadway, framing the tenant’s title with a rainbow of hundreds of tiny lightbulbs.
Walter Kerr Theatre auditorium
Throughout its history, the theatre ushered in the Broadway debut of iconic shows such as August Wilson’s The Piano Lesson, Tony Kushner’s Angels in America, and more.
The stage was also the home to performances from legendary performers including Lauren Bacall, Ian McKellen, and more.
Walter Kerr Theatre auditorium
Walter Kerr Theatre auditorium
Walter Kerr Theatre auditorium
Walter Kerr Theatre auditorium
