Helen Hayes Theatre

240 W. 44th St., New York, NY
Seats (approximate): 597

Ingalls & Hoffman, architects. Built by Winthrop Ames as a tiny, three hundred seat theatre. Redesigned by Herbert J. Krapp in the 1920s to increase seating capacity, acoustics, and profits. Sold to New York Times Company upon Ames' retirement in 1931. Used as lecture hall and, through the years, leased to CBS Radio, ABC TV (1959-1963), and Westinghouse Corporation (1965-1974). Later, returned to legit use. Renamed for Helen Hayes, the First Lady of the American Theatre, in 1983.

Built: 1912

Theatre Names	Named
Helen Hayes Theatre	1983	Named for Helen Hayes, Reopened July 12, 1983
Little Theatre	1965	Reopened March 22, 1965
Winthrop Ames Theatre	1964	Named for Winthrop Ames, manager. Reopened September 7, 1964
Little Theatre	1959
New York Times Hall	1941	Conference hall (no shows)
Anne Nichols' Little Theatre	1936	Named for Anne Nichols
Little Theatre	1912	Opened March 12, 1912

Productions

Click here for Special Events

Helen Hayes Theatre	Opening Date
Next Fall Play, Original, Drama Written by Geoffrey Nauffts	03/11/2010
The 39 Steps Play, Original, Comedy	01/21/2009
Slava's Snowshow Special, Original, Clowning By arrangement with Ross Mollison, Gwenael Allan; Created and Staged by Slava Polunin	12/07/2008
Xanadu Musical, Original, Fantasy Music by John Farrar, Jeff Lynne; Book by Douglas Carter Beane; Lyrics by John Farrar, Jeff Lynne	07/10/2007
Jay Johnson: The Two and Only Play, Original, Puppets, Solo Written by Jay Johnson	09/28/2006
Kiki & Herb: Alive on Broadway Musical, Original, Comedy Created and executed by Justin Bond, Kenny Mellman	08/15/2006
Bridge & Tunnel Play, Original, Solo Written by Sarah Jones	01/26/2006
No legit productions on record under this name
Latinologues Play, Original, Monologue Created and written by Rick Najera	10/13/2005
Jackie Mason: Freshly Squeezed Play, Original, Solo Written by Jackie Mason	03/23/2005
Golda's Balcony Play, Original, Solo, Drama Written by William Gibson	10/15/2003
Say Goodnight, Gracie Play, Original, Solo, Comedy Written by Rupert Holmes	10/10/2002
The Smell of the Kill Play, Original, Comedy Written by Michele Lowe	03/26/2002
By Jeeves Musical, Original, Comedy Music by Andrew Lloyd Webber; Book by Alan Ayckbourn; Lyrics by Alan Ayckbourn	10/28/2001
George Gershwin Alone Play, Original, Play with music, Solo, One Act Written by Hershey Felder	04/30/2001
Dirty Blonde Play, Original, Comedy, Drama Written by Claudia Shear	05/01/2000
Squonk Musical, Original, Concert, Fantasy, Puppets Music by Jackie Dempsey; Image Book by Steve O'Hearn; Lyrics by Jana Losey	02/29/2000
Epic Proportions Play, Original, Comedy Written by David Crane, Larry Coen	09/07/1999
Night Must Fall Play, Revival, Mystery Written by Emlyn Williams	04/19/1999
Band in Berlin Musical, Original, Revue Book by Susan Feldman	03/07/1999
Getting and Spending Play, Original, Written by Michael J. Chepiga	10/25/1998
Colin Quinn -- An Irish Wake Play, Original, Solo Written by Colin Quinn, Lou DiMaggio	08/27/1998
The Last Night of Ballyhoo Play, Original, Comedy Written by Alfred Uhry	02/27/1997
Rob Becker's Defending the Caveman Special, Original, Solo, Comedy Written by Rob Becker	03/26/1995
The Flying Karamazov Brothers "Do The Impossible" Special, Original,	11/20/1994
Sally Marr...and her escorts Play, Original, Written by Erin Sanders, Joan Rivers, Lonny Price	05/05/1994
Shakespeare for My Father Play, Original, Solo Written by Lynn Redgrave	04/26/1993
3 From Brooklyn Special, Original, Music by Sandi Merle, Steve Michaels; Lyrics by Sandi Merle, Steve Michaels	11/19/1992
The High Rollers Social and Pleasure Club Musical, Original, Revue	04/21/1992
Prelude to a Kiss Play, Original, Romantic Comedy Written by Craig Lucas	05/01/1990
Miss Margarida's Way Play, Revival, Solo Written by Roberto Athayde	02/15/1990
Artist Descending a Staircase Play, Original, Written by Tom Stoppard	11/30/1989
Mandy Patinkin in Concert: "Dress Casual" Special, Original, Concert, Solo	07/25/1989
Romance / Romance Musical, Original, Music by Keith Herrmann; Book by Barry Harman; Lyrics by Barry Harman	05/01/1988
The Nerd Play, Original, Comedy Written by Larry Shue	03/22/1987
Oh Coward! Musical, Original, Revue Music by Noël Coward; Lyrics by Noël Coward	11/17/1986
Mummenschanz: "The New Show" Special, Original, Mime, Masks	06/17/1986
Corpse! Play, Original, Comedy, Thriller Written by Gerald Moon	01/05/1986
The News Musical, Original, Music by Paul Schierhorn; Book by David Rotenberg, R. Vincent Park, Paul Schierhorn; Lyrics by Paul Schierhorn	11/07/1985
Little Theatre	Opening Date
Torch Song Trilogy Play, Original, Written by Harvey Fierstein	06/10/1982
Solomon's Child Play, Original, Written by Tom Dulack	04/08/1982
The Curse of an Aching Heart Play, Original, Written by William Alfred	01/25/1982
Ned & Jack Play, Original, Written by Sheldon Rosen	11/08/1981
Gemini Play, Original, Written by Albert Innaurato	05/21/1977
A Party with Betty Comden & Adolph Green Musical, Revival, Revue, Comedy	03/22/1977
Unexpected Guests Play, Original, Comedy Written by Jordan Crittenden	03/02/1977
The Runner Stumbles Play, Original, Written by Milan Stitt	05/18/1976
Lamppost Reunion Play, Original, Written by Louis La Russo II	10/16/1975
Man on the Moon Musical, Original, Music by John Phillips; Book by John Phillips; Lyrics by John Phillips	01/29/1975
Medea and Jason Play, Revival, Free adaptation of "Medea" by Eugenie Leontovich	10/02/1974
My Sister, My Sister Play, Original, Written by Ray Aranha	04/30/1974
Winthrop Ames Theatre	Opening Date
The Subject Was Roses Play, Original, Drama Written by Frank D. Gilroy	09/03/1964
Little Theatre	Opening Date
Baby Want a Kiss Play, Original, Comedy Written by James Costigan	04/19/1964
Each Had Six Wings Play, Original, Foreign Lang. Written by Hanoch Bartov	03/11/1964
Children of the Shadows Play, Original, Foreign Lang. Written by Ben-Zio Tomer	02/26/1964
The Dybbuk Play, Revival, Foreign Lang. Music by I. Engel; Written by S. Ansky	02/03/1964
Double Dublin Musical, Original, Revue Written by Patricia Brogan, Deirdre O'Callaghan, John Molloy, Noel Sheridan	12/26/1963
Tambourines to Glory Play, Original, Play with music Music by Jobe Huntley; Written by Langston Hughes; Lyrics by Langston Hughes	11/02/1963
Little Theatre	Opening Date
Twelfth Night Play, Revival, Comedy Written by William Shakespeare	12/02/1941
Your Loving Son Play, Original, Written by Abby Merchant	04/04/1941
Tanyard Street Play, Original, Written by Louis D'Alton	02/04/1941
Reunion in New York Musical, Original, Revue Music by André Singer, Werner Michel; Lyrics by David Greggory, Berenece Kazounoff	02/21/1940
Ruth Draper Special, Original, Sketches	12/26/1938
Gloriana Play, Original, Comedy Music by Thomas Jefferson Scott; Written by Ferdinand Bruckner	11/25/1938
The Hill Between Play, Original, Drama Written by Lula Vollmer	03/11/1938
Love in a Coffee Cup Musical, Original, Opera Music by Johann Sebastian Bach	01/11/1938
Peggy Perkins Musical, Original, Opera Music by Charles Dibdin	01/11/1938
The Token Musical, Original, Opera Music by Charles Dibdin	01/11/1938
Jack at the Opera Musical, Original, Opera Music by Charles Dibdin	01/11/1938
Colin and His Wife Musical, Original, Opera Music by Henry Purcell	01/11/1938
The Grenadier Musical, Original, Opera Music by Charles Dibdin	01/11/1938
Every Maid Her Own Mistress Musical, Original, Opera Libretto by G. B. Pergolesi	01/11/1938
Thomas and Sally Musical, Original, Opera	01/04/1938
The Brickdust Man Musical, Revival, Opera Music by Charles Dibdin	01/04/1938
True Blue or The Press Gang Musical, Revival, Opera	01/04/1938
Don Quixote Musical, Revival, Opera Music by Henry Purcell; Libretto by Francesca Allinson	01/04/1938
Edna His Wife Play, Original, Solo Music by Elliott Jacoby; Written by Cornelia Otis Skinner	12/07/1937
The Bough Breaks Play, Original, Drama Written by James Knox Millen	11/19/1937
Abie's Irish Rose Play, Revival, Comedy Written by Anne Nichols	05/12/1937
Sun Kissed Play, Original, Comedy Written by Raymond Van Sickle	03/10/1937
Characters and Caricatures Play, Original, Solo	03/01/1937
Be So Kindly Play, Original, Comedy Written by Sara Sandberg	02/08/1937
Promise Play, Original, Drama Written by H. M. Harwood	12/30/1936
Slightly Delirious Play, Original, Comedy Written by Bernard J. McOwen, Robert F. Adkins	12/31/1934
Continental Varieties Musical, Original, Revue "Caprice Viennois" and "La Guitana" by Fritz Kreisler; "Cordoba" by Isaac Albéniz; "Valse No. 6" by Frédéric Chopin; Music for ""Attends!" and "Parlez-moi d'amour" by Jean Lenoir; Music for "Les Gueuses" by Vincent Scotto; Music for "Moi, j'crache dans l'eau" by Jean Tranchant; Music for "Si petite" by Gaston Claret; Music for "Viens danser...," "D'amour en amour," "Je ne savais pas" & "Parlez-moi..." by Jean Delettre; Mr. Balieff's vocabulary by Irving Caesar; Lyrics for "D'amour en amour" by Leo Delievre; Lyrics for "Je ne savais pas" by Maurice Aubret; Lyrics for "Les Gueuses" by Vincent Scotto; Lyrics for "Moi, j'crache dans l'eau" by Jean Tranchant; Lyrics for "Parlez-moi d'amour" by Jean Lenoir; Lyrics for "Si petite" by Pierre Bayle-Silverman; Lyrics for "Viens danser quant-même" by Jamblan	10/03/1934
Kykundor Special, Original, All Black Cast,Opera Music by Asadata Dafora; Book by Asadata Dafora; Lyrics by Asadata Dafora	06/10/1934
The Lady from the Sea Play, Revival, Drama Written by Henrik Ibsen	05/01/1934
One More Honeymoon Play, Original, Farce Written by Leo F. Reardon	03/31/1934
Broomsticks, Amen! Play, Original, Drama Written by Elmer Greenfelder	02/09/1934
False Dreams, Farewell Play, Original, Drama Written by Hugh Stanislaus Stange	01/15/1934
Our Stage and Stars Special, Original, Sketches	11/11/1933
The World Waits Play, Original, Drama Written by George F. Hummel	10/25/1933
One Sunday Afternoon Play, Original, Written by James Hagan	02/15/1933
Two Strange Women Play, Original, Written by Edwin B. Self	01/10/1933
Honeymoon Play, Original, Comedy Written by George Backer, Samuel Chotzinoff	12/23/1932
The Girl Outside Play, Original, Written by John King Hodges, Samuel Merwin	10/24/1932
The Left Bank Play, Original, Drama Written by Elmer Rice	10/05/1931
Life is Like That Play, Original, Comedy Written by Jo Milward	12/22/1930
Mr. Samuel Play, Original, Comedy Written by Winthrop Ames	11/10/1930
London Calling Play, Original, Comedy Written by Geoffrey Kerr	10/18/1930
The Traitor Play, Original, Drama Written by Charles H. Brown	05/02/1930
Dora Mobridge Play, Original, Drama Written by Adeline Leitzbach	04/19/1930
House Afire Play, Original, Comedy Written by Mann Page	03/31/1930
Many a Slip Play, Original, Comedy Written by Edith Fitzgerald, Robert Riskin	02/03/1930
Let Us Be Gay Play, Original, Comedy Written by Rachel Crothers	02/19/1929
House Unguarded Play, Original, Written by Len D. Hollister, Lester Lonergan	01/15/1929
That Ferguson Family Play, Original, Comedy, Drama Written by Howard Chenery	12/22/1928
The Lady Lies Play, Original, Written by John Meehan	11/26/1928
Gods of the Lightning Play, Original, Drama Written by Harold Hickerson, Maxwell Anderson	10/24/1928
Eva the Fifth Play, Original, Written by John Golden, Kenyon Nicholson	08/28/1928
Married-and How! Play, Original, Comedy Written by Ray Hodgdon	06/14/1928
Box Seats Play, Original, Written by Edward Massey	04/19/1928
March Hares Play, Revival, Satire Written by Harry Wagstaff Gribble	04/02/1928
Spring 3100 Play, Original, Written by Argyle Campbell, Willard Mack	02/15/1928
La Gringa Play, Original, Written by Tom Cushing	02/01/1928
Trigger Play, Original, Written by Lula Vollmer	12/06/1927
If Play, Original, Music by Edmond W. Rickett; Written by Lord Dunsany	10/25/1927
Romancin' Round Play, Original, Comedy, Drama Written by Conrad Westervelt	10/03/1927
Lovers and Enemies Play, Original, Comedy, Tragedy Written by Artzybashell	09/20/1927
Grand Street Follies [1927] Musical, Original, Revue Music by Max Ewing; Book by Agnes Morgan; Lyrics by Agnes Morgan	05/31/1927
Seed of the Brute Play, Original, Drama Written by Knowles Entrikin	11/01/1926
Two Girls Wanted Play, Original, Comedy	09/09/1926
The Wisdom Tooth Play, Original, Comedy Written by Marc Connelly	02/15/1926
The Love City Play, Original, Drama Written by Hans Bachwitz	01/25/1926
The Master of the Inn Play, Original,	12/21/1925
The School for Scandal Play, Revival, Comedy Written by Richard Brinsley Sheridan	10/22/1925
The Sea Woman Play, Original, Written by Willard Robertson	08/24/1925
Don't Bother Mother Play, Original, Comedy Written by Courtenay Savage, E.B. Dewing	02/03/1925
Pigs Play, Original, Comedy Written by Anne Morrison, Patterson McNutt	09/01/1924
Little Jessie James Musical, Original, Farce, Comedy Music by Harry Archer; Book by Harlan Thompson; Lyrics by Harlan Thompson	01/28/1924
Chicken Feed Play, Original, Comedy Written by Guy Bolton	09/24/1923
Polly Preferred Play, Original, Comedy Written by Guy Bolton	01/11/1923
Spite Corner Play, Original, Comedy Written by Frank Craven	09/25/1922
A Serpent's Tooth Play, Original, Written by Arthur Richman	08/24/1922
The First Year Play, Original, Comedy Written by Frank Craven	10/20/1920
Marry the Poor Girl Play, Original, Comedy, Farce Written by Owen Davis	09/25/1920
A Midsummer Night's Dream Special, Revival, Puppets Written by William Shakespeare	05/18/1920
He and She Play, Original, Drama Written by Rachel Crothers	02/12/1920
Mamma's Affair Play, Original, Comedy Written by Rachel Barton Butler	01/19/1920
Papa Play, Original, Written by Zoe Akins	04/10/1919
Please Get Married Play, Original, Written by James Cullen, Lewis Allen Browne	02/10/1919
A Little Journey Play, Original, Written by Rachel Crothers	12/26/1918
The Morris Dance Play, Original, Written by Harley Granville-Barker	02/13/1917
Pierrot the Prodigal Special, Revival, Pantomime Music by Andre Wormser; Written by Michel Carre	11/06/1916
Hush! Play, Original, Written by Violet Pearn	10/03/1916
A Pair of Silk Stockings Play, Original, Written by Cyril Harcourt	10/20/1914
The Truth Play, Revival, Drama Written by Clyde Fitch	04/14/1914
The Philanderer Play, Original, Written by George Bernard Shaw	12/30/1913
Prunella Play, Original, Drama Music by Joseph Moorat; Written by Harley Granville-Barker, Laurence Housman	10/27/1913
Rutherford & Son Play, Original,	12/24/1912
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs Play, Original, Written by Jessie Graham White	11/07/1912
The Affairs of Anatol Play, Revival, Written by Arthur Schnitzler	10/14/1912
The Flower of the Palace of Han Play, Original, Written by Charles Rann Kennedy, Louis Laloy	03/19/1912
The Terrible Meek Play, Original, Written by Charles Rann Kennedy	03/19/1912
The Pigeon Play, Original, Written by John Galsworthy	03/12/1912