American Airlines Theatre

Can you believe this spot we’re standing at? Right here at the American Airlines Theatre, on bustling 42nd Street, once stood the Selwyn Theatre. It opened its doors in October 1918, a beautiful Italian Renaissance-style building designed by the prolific George Keister, the mind behind other iconic theaters like the Belasco and the Apollo. The Selwyn brothers, Edgar and Archibald, built it as a home for legitimate musical and dramatic productions. Their first show, “Information Please,” unfortunately, flopped. But the theater soon found its footing, launching hits like the musical “Buddies” in 1919, which enjoyed a run of 269 performances. The American Airlines Theatre, then the Selwyn, became a vibrant part of the 1920s Broadway scene. Hosting revues by the likes of Noël Coward, it saw both dazzling successes and inevitable flops. The Great Depression hit the theater world hard. After a string of unsuccessful productions, the Selwyn was forced to close its doors in 1934 and began its life as a movie house. For over 50 years, the theater primarily screened films, its stage falling silent except for a brief, experimental period in the 1950s. By the 1990s, 42nd Street was in need of revitalization. The Roundabout Theatre Company, looking for a permanent home, saw the potential in the old Selwyn. They took on the challenge of restoring the theater to its former glory, a project costing $25 million. American Airlines contributed significantly, securing the naming rights in a deal that raised some eyebrows but ultimately ensured the theater’s revival. A major setback occurred in 1997 when the adjacent Selwyn Building collapsed, forcing a redesign that incorporated the theater into the new New 42nd Street Building. Finally, in 2000, the American Airlines Theatre was reborn. With a reduced seating capacity of 740, designed for a more intimate experience, the theater reopened with “The Man Who Came to Dinner.” It continues to thrive as a vital part of Broadway, hosting a mix of classic revivals and new productions. This very spot, once a grand theater, then a movie house, then nearly rubble, now stands as a testament to the resilience of Broadway. The American Airlines Theatre is a symbol of the enduring power of live performance, right here in the heart of Times Square.