New Amsterdam Theatre Theater

New York City's Theater District is world renown for its Broadway shows, and the New Amsterdam Theatre is one of district's oldest venues. When the theater was built in 1902 it was the largest theater in New York, with a seating capacity for just over seventeen hundred people.

Performances at the New Amsterdam Theater took place on the roof and were considered very risqué, but the roof was later shut down as it was found non-compatible with the city's building codes. During the depression, the space was converted into a movie theater and then for almost two decades between the eighties and nineties the theater was closed for restorations.

The New Amsterdam Theater officially reopened in 1997, during which time Disney signed a ninety-nine year lease for the space. When the venue reopened, the remodeled theater contained orchestra, mezzanine and balcony level seating, which is rumored to be haunted by the ghost of silent film star Olive Thomas.

Shows at the New Amsterdam Theater include two short runs of Hercules and King David before the November ‘97 Disney debut of their record breaking The Lion King which performed there until 2006. Concessions are available in the lobby during performances. The theater is easily accessible by public transportation.