Booth Theater

History and architecture

The Booth Theater survives today as one of the historic theaters that symbolize American theater for both New York and the nation. Built in 1912-13, shortly before World War I, to the designs of Henry B. Herts, the Booth was one of a pair with the Shubert and was among the numerous theaters constructed by the Shuberts, one of the most active and influential families in American theater history. Winthrop Ames acted as a partner with the Shuberts in the project.

Founded by the three brothers Sam S., Lee and J.J. Shubert, the Shubert organization was the dominant shaper of New York's theater district. Beginning as producers, the brothers expanded into the building of theaters as well, and eventually helped cover the blocks east and west of Broadway in Midtown with playhouses.

Winthrop Ames, an independently wealthy producer with an architectural background, had unusual ideas about drama which he carried out in both the Booth and Little Theaters, both begun in 1912. Like the Little Theater, the Booth Theater was designed to house the new, detailed type of drama called "intimate theater."

Henry B. Herts, the architect of the Booth, earned a reputation as one of New York's most skilled theater architects, first in partnership with Hugh Tallant and later practicing alone. For the Booth he designed a Venetian-inspired facade which is linked to that of the adjacent Shubert theater and helps to set the character of Shubert Alley.

As one of the pre-World War I theater buildings, the Booth is among the oldest group of theaters surviving in New York.