Opened in 1927 as the Alvin Theatre and renamed in 1983 to honor prolific American playwright Neil Simon, this historic Broadway house stands as a testament to early twentieth-century theatrical grandeur. Designed by Herbert J. Krapp in the Neo-Georgian and Adamesque styles, the venue has premiered major works including George and Ira Gershwin's *Funny Face* and hosted the long-running hit *Annie*, while maintaining its status as a premier destination for Broadway productions through meticulous restoration and conservation efforts.
Acoustics, seating, and what to expect
The theatre offers infrared headsets for sound augmentation and induction loops for telecoil devices, indicating thoughtful attention to audio accessibility and enhancement.
Center Orchestra rows A-D provide an immersive experience with detailed sightlines, while Center Mezzanine rows A-B offer elevated perspectives with full stage sweep. Rows E-M of the Center Orchestra deliver excellent value without mezzanine overhang obstruction. Avoid far side seats in the Left and Right Mezzanine and Orchestra rows beyond S, which suffer from restricted views.
Varies by Event
Tickets, pricing, and getting there
42nd Street-Port Authority Bus Terminal (A, C, E trains); 50th Street (C, E trains); 42nd Street (1, 2, 3 trains); M42 crosstown bus
| Section | Seats | Notes |
|---|---|---|
Orchestra | 669 | |
Front Mezzanine | 190 | |
Rear Mezzanine | 437 | |
Boxes | 20 |
Plan your visit — dining, transit, and performer resources nearby
Plan Your Visit
Pre-show dining, bars & more for Neil Simon Theatre visitors.
Green Room — New York City
5 practice spaces, 1 music stores, 1 vocal coaches
Book online. Rooms range from small vocal practice rooms ($15/hr) to large audition rooms. The bulletin board in the lobby has coaching, apartment, and gig listings.
Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts
Attend free student concerts and recitals held regularly throughout the year; you'll witness extraordinary young talent in intimate settings.
Performance schedule varies; check website for free concert listings
Carnegie Hall
Book studios in advance, especially during audition season (fall); the staff knows what they're doing with artists' needs.
Open 8:00 AM–11:00 PM daily; hourly rental rates available
Carnegie Hall
Visit mid-morning on weekdays when you'll have unhurried access to the showroom; ask to play multiple instruments and speak with the knowledgeable staff about your needs.
Open Monday–Friday 10:00 AM–6:00 PM, Saturday 11:00 AM–5:00 PM; closed Sundays
Architect
Herbert J. Krapp
Architecture
Neo-Georgian exterior with Adamesque interior
Heritage
New York City Landmark (facade and auditorium interior designated August 1985)
Previous names and historical designations
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42nd Street-Port Authority Bus Terminal (A, C, E trains); 50th Street (C, E trains); 42nd Street (1, 2, 3 trains); M42 crosstown bus
Verified gifts of $1.0M+ from Neil Simon Theatre's donors, and where else those donors give. Sourced from Form 990 Schedule M and named press releases.
Donor-network graphs map every $1M+ gift this institution has received and traces those donors to every other org they fund.
View Plans