Broadway is full of iconic theaters, but the Ed Sullivan Theater is one of the most famous. In fact, this historic building is not a theater in the conventional sense, but a studio where television broadcasts take place in front of live audiences. Come here to join the audience for such U.S. television institutions as The Late Show, Good Morning America and many more.
Learn about the theater’s history. The Ed Sullivan Theater opened in 1927 under the name of Hammerstein’s Theater. The 13-floor building was established by songwriter Arthur Hammerstein and designed by architect Herbert Krapp. In its early days, it hosted traditional stage shows. The very first production here featured Cary Grant. In 1935, The Ed Sullivan Show, a popular television variety show, started shooting in the building. The show continued to be filmed here for 23 years, and the building was eventually renamed The Ed Sullivan Theater in the host’s honor.
Come here today and see how the interior has retained much of its early 20th-century charm, particularly in its old-fashioned main auditorium. Look up and see the beautifully ornate domed stained-glass ceiling overhead. Red velvet chairs add a touch of traditional character to the relatively compact and intimate seating area.
Although a wide range of television shows have been filmed here, from sitcoms to chat shows, the most famous is probably The Late Show, which was originally hosted by David Letterman and is now hosted by Stephen Colbert. Book well in advance to secure tickets to this mainstay of U.S. television, a talk show that regularly takes the top ratings spot for late-night programming. The best part is that tickets to the shoot are absolutely free. However, they are in great demand, so planning ahead is essential.
Find the Ed Sullivan Theater in the heart of Broadway, New York City’s buzzing theater district. Filled with bright lights, big crowds and internationally renowned venues showing big-name stage shows, this district guarantees a truly memorable night out.
