Ambassador Theatre on Broadway

The Shuberts built the Ambassador Theatre in 1921, one of four theatres they constructed on 48th and 49th Streets as part of their post-World War I rapid expansion. None of the other three (the Ritz, now the Walter Kerr; the Forrest, now the Eugene O'Neill; and the 49th St, now demolished) are currently operated by the Shubert Organization. The plot of land for the Ambassador required that the auditorium be placed diagonally on its relatively small lot. This resulted in a lack of stage-wing space, and a uniquely shaped hexagonal auditorium. The exterior of the building is simple, with little ornamentation other than some brick patterning. The interiors, designed by architect Herbert Krapp, employ more elaborate Adam-style plasterwork in the decoration of the walls, ceiling, boxes, doorways and arches. The design motif was a favorite of Krapp's. The Ambassador Theatre was sold by The Shuberts in 1935 due to the struggles of The Great Depression, and was used as a movie theater, a television studio for NBC and later the DuMont Television Network. The Shuberts assumed ownership of the theater once again in 1956, returning the space to a legitimate theatre. The Ambassador Theatre has been designated a New York City landmark.

Shows and stars to have graced the stage of the Ambassador Theatre include: The Diary of Anne Frank (1957, transfer from the Cort Theatre) starring Joseph Schildkraut, Susan Strasberg and more; The Lion in Winter (1966) starring Robert Preston and Rosemary Harris; Godspell (1977 transfer from the Broadhurst and the Plymouth) starring Lamar Alford, Laurie Faso, Lois Foraker and more; A View From the Bridge (1983 revival) starring Tony Lo Bianco as Eddie and directed by Arvin Brown; Dreamgirls (1987 revival) starring Lillias White, Alisa Gyse, Arnetia Walker and more; Bring in 'da Noise, Bring in 'da Funk (1996) starring Jeffrey Wright, Savion Glover, Duquesnay, Gaines, and Dule Hill; It Ain't Nothin' But the Blues (1999 transfer from Vivian Beaumont Theater) starring Ron Taylor, Gretha Boston, Eloise Laws and more; You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown (1999 revival) starring Anthony Rapp, B.D. Wong, Ilana Levine, Stanley Wayne Mathis, Kristin Chenoweth and Roger Bart; Topdog/Underdog (2002) starring Mos Def and Jeffrey Wright; Chicago (2003, transfer from Richard Rodgers Theatre and the Shubert) starring Ann Reinking, Bebe Neuwirth, James Naughton, Joel Grey and many others!