Broadway theaters are like living artifacts, monuments of brick, marble, and velvet that keep the city’s artistic lifeblood flowing night after night. Among them, the Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre, perched on West 45th Street, stands out for its long lineage, architectural details, and modern-day role as a prime stage for Broadway’s most acclaimed productions.
A Quick History Lesson
The theater didn’t begin its life under the name Jacobs. It first opened in 1927 as the Royale Theatre, designed by the Shubert family’s trusted architect Herbert J. Krapp. Krapp was responsible for many of Broadway’s landmark houses, and his style blended functionality with elegance. The Royale was intended to be slightly more intimate than the Shuberts’ larger venues, seating just over 1,100 patrons.
The Shuberts had a grand plan in those years: a trio of small theaters—the Royale, the Theatre Masque (now the John Golden Theatre), and the Plymouth (now the Schoenfeld)—built side by side to give producers flexibility and audiences more options in the bustling midtown district. The Royale’s smaller size made it a perfect fit for plays that thrived on intimacy, dialogue, and performance rather than large-scale spectacle.
Over the decades, the Royale hosted a remarkable range of shows. Katharine Cornell, Tallulah Bankhead, and José Ferrer graced its stage. It saw both dramatic plays and hit musicals cycle through, giving it the reputation of being a versatile house that could handle nearly anything.
In 2005, the Shubert Organization renamed the Royale to honor Bernard B. Jacobs, the company’s long-serving president who had steered the Shuberts into a new era of stability and artistic prominence. The renaming was both a tribute and a recognition of Jacobs’ impact on Broadway as a whole.
The Look and Feel
Walk inside and you’ll notice the Jacobs Theatre isn’t flashy in the way some Broadway houses can be. Instead, it’s refined. Krapp’s interiors carry an understated dignity: golden-hued accents, classical plasterwork, and a chandelier that offers a warm glow without overwhelming the space.
The chandelier is worth a pause. Suspended from the center of the ceiling, it’s a traditional crystal-and-brass fixture—smaller than the grandiose cascades you’ll find at the Metropolitan Opera but perfectly scaled to the Jacobs’ more intimate auditorium. It reflects light softly across the gilded moldings and cream-toned ceiling panels, creating a warm, flattering atmosphere that keeps the focus on the stage. For theatergoers, it’s the kind of detail you don’t always notice consciously but that makes the space feel welcoming and elegant.
Other interior flourishes include ornamental plaster scrollwork, medallions, and subtle floral motifs—a Krapp hallmark. The color palette leans toward golds, creams, and soft reds, with seating upholstered in traditional plush. It’s a house that feels classic without being gaudy, offering just enough grandeur to remind you you’re somewhere special.
Getting There
The Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre is located at 242 West 45th Street, between Seventh and Eighth Avenues, right in the beating heart of the Theater District. If you’re navigating Manhattan by subway, the Times Square–42nd Street station is your best bet. From there, it’s just a few minutes’ walk north along Seventh Avenue before cutting west on 45th.
Other options include the 50th Street stops on the 1 or C/E lines if you don’t mind a slightly longer stroll. For those coming in from outside the city, the Port Authority Bus Terminal is a short walk away on 42nd Street, and Penn Station is just down Eighth Avenue.
Like most Broadway houses, the Jacobs doesn’t have a lot of extra lobby space, so expect to line up on the sidewalk before curtain. The upside? You’re smack in the middle of the Theater District, with plenty of pre- and post-show options for food and drinks.
Why It’s Special
Broadway aficionados often talk about the “personality” of different theaters, and the Jacobs has plenty. It’s not the cavernous Majestic or the glittering Palace. Instead, it’s the kind of house where you feel close to the action no matter where you sit. That intimacy makes it ideal for shows that rely on storytelling, emotional connection, and powerful performances rather than big-budget pyrotechnics.
The theater has hosted award-winning productions in recent decades that cement its status as a serious Broadway contender. From Clybourne Park to The Color Purple revival to Company, the Jacobs consistently serves as a home for high-caliber theater.
It also helps that its neighbors are just as historic: the Golden Theatre sits immediately to the west, the Schoenfeld to the east. This trio of Krapp-designed houses forms one of the densest and most vibrant clusters of theatrical energy anywhere in the world.
Visiting Tips
Seating: With about 1,100 seats, the Jacobs is smaller than many Broadway houses, which means even mezzanine seats feel relatively close to the stage. If you want the best balance of view and value, the front mezzanine is often a prime pick.
Accessibility: The theater is wheelchair accessible, with seating available in the orchestra section. As always, check with the Shubert Organization for the latest on accommodations.
Atmosphere: Because of its size, the Jacobs tends to feel more “serious” than tourist-heavy mega-musical venues. The audience often skews toward theater buffs who are there for the craft, which adds to the sense of occasion.
Get In Tune
The Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre may not have the name recognition of the Gershwin or the Minskoff, but insiders know it as one of Broadway’s most reliable and rewarding houses. With its storied past, elegant interiors, and reputation for hosting some of the city’s best plays and musicals, it embodies the very best of Broadway tradition.
Next time you’re looking for a night out in the Theater District, don’t overlook the Jacobs. Step inside, take a moment to admire the chandelier overhead, and then settle into your seat. Chances are, you’re about to witness something unforgettable.