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| Former names | Cort Theatre |
|---|---|
| Address | 138 West 48th Street Manhattan, New York United States |
| Coordinates | 40°45′33″N 73°58′59″W / 40.75917°N 73.98306°W |
| Owner | The Shubert Organization |
| Type | Broadway theatre |
| Capacity | 1,092 |
| Construction | |
| Opened | December 20, 1912 |
| Rebuilt | 2021–2022 |
| Years active | 1912–1969, 1972–present |
| Architect | Thomas W. Lamb |
| Website | |
| shubert | |
| Designated | November 17, 1987[1] |
| Reference no. | 1328[1] |
| Designated entity | Facade |
| Designated | November 17, 1987[2] |
| Reference no. | 1329[2] |
| Designated entity | Lobby and auditorium interior |
The James Earl Jones Theatre, originally the Cort Theatre, is a Broadway theater at 138 West 48th Street, between Seventh Avenue and Sixth Avenue, in the Theater District of Midtown Manhattan in New York City, United States. It was built in 1912 and designed by architect Thomas W. Lamb for impresario John Cort. An annex to the west of the theater, built between 2021 and 2022, was designed by Kostow Greenwood Architects. The Jones has 1,092 seats across three levels and is operated by the Shubert Organization. Both the facade and interior of the theater are New York City designated landmarks.
The theater maintains much of its original neoclassical design. Its 48th Street facade has a glass-and-metal marquee shielding the entrances, as well as a colonnade with an additional story above. The lobby has marble paneling and a coved ceiling. The auditorium contains a ground-level orchestra and two overhanging balconies with boxes. The auditorium's proscenium arch is designed with "art glass" that can illuminate during performances, and its ceiling is coved. The western annex contains lounges, restrooms, and backstage areas.
John Cort received the rights to operate the theater in January 1912, and the Cort Theatre opened on December 20, 1912. Despite being regarded by the theatrical community as being on the "wrong side" of Broadway, the Cort hosted numerous hit productions during its early years. The Shubert Organization purchased the theater in 1927, two years before Cort's death. Though the theater was used as a television studio for The Merv Griffin Show from 1969 to 1972, it has mostly remained in theatrical use through the years. The Cort closed temporarily in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic and was renovated during that time. In 2022, it was renamed after actor James Earl Jones, becoming the second Broadway venue named after a Black theatrical personality.
- ^ a b Landmarks Preservation Commission 1987, p. 1.
- ^ a b Landmarks Preservation Commission Interior 1987, p. 1.