Ethel Barrymore Theatre, West 47th Street, New York City

The Ethel Barrymore Theatre is located at 243 West 47th Street in the Theater District, New York City. Opened in 1928, and it is named after actress Ethel Barrymore (1879-1959). The theater has 1,058 seats and is operated by the Shubert Organization. It is the last theatre Lee and J.J. Shubert built. Both the façade and the auditorium interior were designated New York City landmarks in 1987.

The Barrymore was designed by Herbert J. Krapp, who designed almost all the Shuberts' post-World War I theaters, was the most prolific architect of the Broadway theater district. Having worked in the offices of Herts & Tallant, premier theater designers of the pre-war period. Breaking with the traditional neoclassical theater styles, Krapp designed a unique façade featuring an enormous terra-cotta grille-work screen. The handsome base featured unusually fine Beaux-Arts style terra-cotta ornament, and two enormous bronze and glass canopies over the two main entrances (only the brackets of these marquees survive).

The auditorium has an orchestra level, one balcony, boxes and a stage behind the proscenium arch. The space is designed with plaster decorations in low relief. The auditorium is shaped almost as a square and has 1,058 seats.

The Barrymore Theatre opened on December 20, 1928, with with actress Ethel Barrymore starring at the new theater in The Kingdom of God. Ethel Barrymore worked with the Shuberts until 1932 and last performed in the theater in 1940. The Barrymore has been used continuously as a legitimate theater and has never been sold or renamed since its opening.