John Golden Theatre

Performing arts theater · Midtown West

John Golden Theatre

Performing arts theater · Midtown West

1

252 W 45th St, New York, NY 10036

Photos

John Golden Theatre by null
John Golden Theatre by null
John Golden Theatre by null
John Golden Theatre by null
John Golden Theatre by null
John Golden Theatre by null
John Golden Theatre by null
John Golden Theatre by null
John Golden Theatre by null
John Golden Theatre by null
John Golden Theatre by null
John Golden Theatre by null
John Golden Theatre by null
John Golden Theatre by null
John Golden Theatre by null
John Golden Theatre by null
John Golden Theatre by null
John Golden Theatre by null
John Golden Theatre by null
John Golden Theatre by null
John Golden Theatre by null
John Golden Theatre by null
John Golden Theatre by null
John Golden Theatre by null
John Golden Theatre by null
John Golden Theatre by null
John Golden Theatre by null
John Golden Theatre by null
John Golden Theatre by null
John Golden Theatre by null
John Golden Theatre by null
John Golden Theatre by null
John Golden Theatre by null
John Golden Theatre by null
John Golden Theatre by null
John Golden Theatre by null
John Golden Theatre by null
John Golden Theatre by null
John Golden Theatre by null
John Golden Theatre by null
John Golden Theatre by null
John Golden Theatre by null
John Golden Theatre by null

Highlights

Spanish-influenced 1927 Broadway theater with intimate seating.  

Placeholder
Placeholder

252 W 45th St, New York, NY 10036 Get directions

shubert.nyc

Information

Static Map

252 W 45th St, New York, NY 10036 Get directions

+1 212 239 6200
shubert.nyc

Features

wifi
payment credit card
Tap to pay

Last updated

Aug 8, 2025

Powered By

You might also like

Terms of Use • Privacy Policy • Cookie Policy
 © 2025 Postcard Technologies, Inc.
@travelleisure

The 10 Best Broadway Shows to See in 2025

"Presents 'Operation Mincemeat,' an outrageously funny story of an unlikely spy mission during World War II." - Barbara Schuler Barbara Schuler Barbara Schuler is a theater, style, and travel writer. She previously worked at Newsday on Long Island for 40 years. Barbara is happiest when her travels include a close encounter with a humpback wha

https://www.travelandleisure.com/broadway-shows-nyc-winter-2025-8776801
View Postcard for John Golden Theatre

Judith A (jadzzia06)

Google
Such a lovely classic style theater. We were in very high up seats and I felt the sound was a bit garbled and at times the lyrics and speech a bit hard to decipher but over all the show and venue were amazing. Operation mincemeat is a fantastic musical rendition of a fascinating piece of WWII history done in pantomime farce style. Loved it

Stage Door Betty

Google
Beautiful & cozy little theatre! I visited twice and sat both times in different rows in the orchestra section. I’m confident in saying there are no bad seats here! For Operation Mincemeat, I learned afterwards, the merch was in the basement. I saw no signs or direction for this.

Yanisa Kham

Google
View from front mezzanine b113. Looked like the second row was even better view than front row because of the ledge barrier. Great show with very angled seating in mezz and balcony, makes it unlikely your view will be blocked by the person in front of you.

Stephanie

Google
Small and intimate theatre. We saw “Stereophonic” here and there probably isn’t a bad seat in the house. Great performance - I’m glad I got to see it before it ended. As for the theatre, the sound and sight lines were great. The restrooms are in the basement and the lines can be long, especially during the intermission.

Apostolos

Google
Just saw Stereophonic, and man what a performance! Excellent show with great sound, in a smaller intimate theater. Front mezzanine seats were awesome (honestly all seats seemed good.. orchestra seats seemed a bit low imo). Very cool and unique concept for a show -- I love the stage design, the audio controls and setup, the wonderful original music, and the amazing performances from all actors. However I'm removing one star, not for the chaotic bathroom lines, but for the drink selections at the concession stand - specifically for beer. We have dozens of local breweries in NYC, and you're serving 12oz bottles of Coors light, Sam Adams, and Corona for $15. I believe in you Golden Theatre, you can do better!

Juan Claudio de la Pena

Google
Stereophonic is spectacular! The music actors everything was great about this play. The theater is not huge So visibility is excellent from wherever you are seated. Everyone attending was great and service at the box office was great.

Connie Curran

Google
Beautiful old theater steep stairs. Great view from all seats. Acoustics were good. Seats generally comfy.

martin soto

Google
Cute lil theater. We went to see the Outsiders which didn't disappoint! Very entertaining and amazing performers
google avatar

Mickel E.

Yelp
BS +++ You silly man with a blanket! What can I say about this show and theater without being too bias. First of, it's a clean and small venue. The seats are roomy and perfectly placed. The seats we got had slight obstruction but it was fine. The venue was however cold and did not do a good job with the smoke or smoking going on the stage. The smell and the smoke was literally getting stuck in the vents and getting blown to our faces that my son started sneezing, my wife's eyes started water profusely that most of the show she had her eyes closed, and I was getting a migraine. BUT!!! The show was so freaking good and the interactions and evolutions of their relationships was nicely done. This show deserves what it got. The talented cast needs to truly get on the road and tour and have an album set. My fave was masquerade! It had each butt cheek bouncing around my chair. Truly a great show! Glad we came to watch it and enjoyed the laughter, confusion, the fake smoke, and most of wall the trauma and tears. Highly recommended! Visit and tell them Mick (ig: The_freakin_vegan) sent you! You will not be disappointed Trust me - I'm a vegan Boomsauce Scale: BW - basura (trash) BS - basic (come on! Try harder) BS + - better (Yo! That's better) BS ++ - best (alright! Alright! Alrightttt!) BS +++ - Amazing location! now that's boomsauce!
google avatar

Robert C.

Yelp
You would think that a Tony award winning show would be pretty good. Think again. Stereophonic: show depicting Fleetwood Mac in the recording studio at the height of their success, playing at the Golden Theatre. Sat in seat R113 second from the very back of the orchestra. Show started at 7pm. Play was about rambling conversations between members of the band in 1976, including two romances between band couples. No music until 755pm, with short excerpts of rehearsals in the first hour. Second hour saw a few more minutes of music, but 90%+ of the show were more conversations. Finally at 8:45pm a 15 minute intermission. Huge rush downstairs to the bathroom near the entrance. Had to go hat in hand asking to go ahead of the long men's line. Reached the urinal just in time. And don't even ask about the women's line. Heard that the play is 3 hours and 10 minutes in length. Wife, like me, is a huge Broadway music fan, could barely stay awake, and was not about to watch the 1 hour and 25 minutes of the second half. First time ever we walked out at the intermission, and at $139 apiece, two tickets of $278 down the urinal, I mean toilet. The show was so bad, that one of the producers of Fleetwood Mac's Album Rumors is suing them.
google avatar

Dipali G.

Yelp
I really enjoyed watching the show at Holden theatre! The theatre is smaller than others and often has shows with smaller casts! I really like the theatre bc it does feel more intimate. I watched stereophonic here and had an amazing time!
google avatar

Cole D.

Yelp
I rushed tickets for stereophonic and we were dead center front row. It was an amazing experience. We saw everything. We saw the eyes glisten of the actors as they were crying. The sound was amazing. There was room to stretch.
google avatar

Liz T.

Yelp
Visited in December 2024, watch the stereophonic Broadway show off Broadway. The seats were cozy and clean. It was easy to find. The show was fantastic and also spotted a few celebrities during. The only complaint was the traffic jam to the restrooms during intermission. Couldn't even wait in the line as it wrapped around and snaked around downstairs and upstairs stairs- highly recommend that you use the restrooms before the show with plenty of time to just stretch during the intermission because you won't get in. The bar was located downstairs also was packed. I had an obstructed view since I was so close to the front of the stage. 20 minutes of just staring at the back of a guitar. But on the other side, I did see the actors faces clearly above me.
google avatar

Karrina Taylor B.

Yelp
We went to see Stereophonic and it was the worst show and experience that I have ever paid for. The theater was nice and the ushers were very helpful.
google avatar

Lillie A.

Yelp
PSA - purely reviewing the theatre, not the production I saw (Stereophonic). I have been in many theaters in my life, but the John Golden Theatre takes the cake as my least favorite. House Opening was a mess - the ushers sent us to house left even though our seats were house right, there was no coat check (if there was, it was not advertised), only 1 spot to buy merch, and it was confusing to find the bathrooms. On top of that, it was not clear when the show was starting - at first we thought the melody played was the actors warming up (it was not, it was the seating call). My partner and I both remarked that signage would've been extremely helpful, especially for those with hearing impairments. I'd highly advise the FOH staff at the Golden to rethink their processes and work on clearer communication with patrons.
google avatar

Daryl W.

Yelp
First time at this theater .very nice, warm and welcoming . Unfortunately the restroom is down stairs as well as the Connsession stands, and souvenir stand. Overall a very good experience
google avatar

Morlene C.

Yelp
The Golden Theatre where I caught the production of Top Dog/ Under Dog is showing its age. The performance itself was stellar, with top-notch writing, acting, and a really thought-provoking premise. The actual venue however has definitely seen better days. The place had a distinct air of faded grandeur, which is about what you'd expect from most places in the Theater District. The once plush velvet drapes looked a little tired and dingy and the ornate moldings were slowly succumbing to the relentless march of time. One come up-- sparse attendance at this show meant we were allowed a free upgrade from our original balcony seats to orchestra seats on the lower level, which gave us a better view of the play. The waning attendance may partially be due to the building's neglected appearance but the fact that people don't invest in the arts like they used to also means less funds to update the space, creating a vicious cycle. It's a real shame, because the theater has good bones and a haunting, old-world charm. But without some major renovations, I worry it might start to lose that spark that draws theater-goers in. Hopefully the powers-that-be can find a way to restore it to its former glory before it's too late.
google avatar

Jose P.

Yelp
Went to the John Golden Theatre, in order to see the play, The Shark is Broken. It's a small, quaint, playhouse with very good acoustics, comfortable seats, and a large stage. The Shark is Broken is a play co-written by Ian Shaw, Captain Quint's son, who is also one of the three actors and was fabulous. It is a comedic exploration of the behind-the-scenes drama that took place during the filming of the 1975 film, Jaws, I enjoyed this play and it brought back many memories of watching my favorite movie. All three actors put on a great performance and I was amazed at how all of this took place in only the confines of the boat. If you're interested in watching this play, I have two suggestions..... there is no intermission and the play is scheduled to run until November 19, 2023.
google avatar

Alexis B.

Yelp
Oof. Great play, bad theater? I just saw Stereophonic at the Golden. And the play was great. But the theater was a struggle. It's beautiful but the theater just can't function with a crowd that size when the first half is so long that everyone wants to use the bathroom at intermission. Long lines are one thing. The lines at the Golden were just crazy. I saw on the balcony level and we were lines already when we were on the stairs. Which means we didn't even know what line we were in. Men and women, people in line for bathrooms, people in line for merch, people in line for the basement bar - we weren't even sure what we were in line for (since we were in lines already on the stairs and couldn't see what line we were in). When I finally made it downstairs, I realized I was on the side with the men's room rather than the women's and had to weave around the merch line and bar line to get to the other side. A staff member at the theater was shouting "Don't worry - everyone in line will get to use the restroom!" They had to hold the intermission by about 20 minutes due to the bathroom line situation. This might be a Stereophonic-specific problem since it's a play that is lopsided time-wise (the first two acts are way longer than the last two), but it was kind of a nightmare. Just wild. I'd prefer to see plays elsewhere in the future, but if they have a play I want to see, I'd still go - I'd just use the bathroom before arriving at the theater and not drinking a thing before or during the performance. Not my favorite theater.
google avatar

Terry L.

Yelp
Ahh, Prima Facie performed by Jodie Comer; the main reason we ventured across the country was to see the one and only Villanelle in the flesh! Tickets booked months in advance, with the anticipation absolutely killing me. I had seen Prima Facie before in theatres when it had its limited release and absolutely fell in love with Comer's acting and the play's subject matter. To do a one woman play days on end with scarcely any breaks; that's truly passion for the craft that deserves every bit of admiration. The fateful day had come and we queued up outside the theatre which was right outside of our hotel. Upon entering the theatre, we're greeted by friendly ushers helping us find our seats along with a beautifully designed room and comfortable seats. The moment of truth came, curtains pulled and out comes Jodie Comer. Several minutes in though, she stopped and told the audience that she was not well and could not breathe due to the terrible air quality as a result of the wildfires from up north. Through a slightly confusing process, we managed to get a refund and attended another performance the day after. The next day went off without a hitch, with Comer seeming to make a full recovery as she very brilliantly performed the entire show. We even got to see her afterwards and managed to get her to sign a playbill! What an experience! All in all, I wouldn't trade this experience with anything. Things happen and don't always go according to plan. Plus, if things had perhaps gone a little differently, we probably wouldn't even have gotten her autograph. Much respect to the great Jodie Comer. What a treat! If you're in Manhattan, a Broadway show is a must, and if yours happens to be in the John Golden Theatre, I'm sure you'll have the best time!
google avatar

Therese F.

Yelp
This was a small older theater. We sat in the mezzanine, and at first I was excited because the stage seemed very close. They use quite a bit of the stage in Stereophonic though, so our view of the back part of the stage was a bit cut off. The seats were pretty crammed. I'm 5'8" and was grateful for an aisle seat so I could stick my legs out. The bathroom line... don't even get me started. They told us that they would hold the performance so that we could all use the restroom without missing anything, but I returned to my seat as they were mid song. I know you don't get a choice of the theater you see what show in, but I'm going to have to *really* want to see the show to come back here.
google avatar

Terri C.

Yelp
My husband and I were at the Golden Theater on May 7, 2023, to see one of my favorite actresses, Jodie Comer, in her tour-de-force and now Tony-award-winning performance in "Prima Facie." Yes, I'm one of those fans who bought tickets in November of 2022 once it was announced that Comer would be starring in her amazing, multiple award-winning one-woman show on Broadway, bringing it to NYC after she starred in the same role in London in spring, 2022. The show runs through July 2, 2023, and I highly recommend you see this show if you can; Comer absolutely deserves all of the accolades and awards she has received for this play. Originally built in 1927, the John Golden Theater has a Spanish influence, with interiors featuring wrought iron fixtures, spiraled columns, and ceiling arches. We had center orchestra seats in row O, 4 seats off the aisle. We had a terrific view of the stage and were quite happy with where we were seated for the performance. Restrooms are located on the bottom floor which was where merchandise for the show was also sold. I would not hesitate to see another show here in the future.
google avatar

Michele L.

Yelp
What a great, intimate venue on Broadway! Fantastic location and wonderful food nearby.
google avatar

Dana Z.

Yelp
Nice small theater. Interestingly, not the smallest theater I've been in, which goes to SJ Friedman with nearly 200 seats less. Still, this venue is on the smaller side which lends nicely to intimate seating for plays. Stage door is outside to the left, a bit of an alleyway.
google avatar

Randi P.

Yelp
Very quaint and very old. This theater had great qualities but needs some updating. I was in the mezzanine and the floor did not feel so secure. I loved the bar area and the service was great!
google avatar

Fancypants X.

Yelp
"Prima Facie" is showing at the Golden Theater for a limited 10-week engagement. The premise is profound, maddening, triggering; it's also a call to action & commentary on the legal system's treatment of female victims. "Killing Eve" actress Jodie Comer is on stage for 100 minutes without intermission. In addition to playing barrister Tess, she plays all the other characters. Her non-stop energy exhausted me & I'm doing nothing but sitting there; I'm impressed she had the steam to come to the stage door to sign a few autographs afterwards. Real class act, that one. Our second-row tickets were fabulous for seeing Comer up close, & for being the lucky bastards who caught the small bag of potato chips (or should I say, crisps) that she chucks into the audience as part of the show. It wasn't fabulous for my neck, however, as we were staring straight up in scenes where she's standing on tables; opt for seats further back. The theater is not too big. I'd venture to guess all seats provide an excellent sight line to the stage. Seats were comfy enough, as well. No complaints except for long bathroom lines due to limited stalls but I can't think of one theater that doesn't have that problem. Another incredible night on Broadway!
google avatar

Daniela L.

Yelp
I attended a performance of Prima Facie at the Golden Theatre a few weeks ago, and while I was more amazed by Jodie Comer and the play overall, the venue left a positive impression on me as well. The Golden Theatre is one of the smaller Broadway theatres. It doesn't have a concession stand, nor a merchandise booth (at least not for this particular show). The aisles are narrow, so depending on where you sit, there isn't a ton of legroom. That said, even though I didn't have the most expensive seats, I didn't miss a moment of the performance. I was located on the left side of the rear mezzanine, the section furthest from the stage. I didn't expect to have an obstructed view, as I was near the front of my section; but to my surprise, I was also able to see the entire set and capture the nuances of Jodie's facial expressions. Because of that, I believe the Golden Theatre was the right choice to host an intimate performance like Prima Facie, and I wouldn't hesitate to attend another play here in the future.
google avatar

Lisa S.

Yelp
Nice theater. Great staff. No concession stand. Asked to arrive 45 minutes early, checked vaccination and ID. Thankfully everyone was let in early because it began to drizzle rain and it was cold. Only complaint is too little leg room on the Mezzanine. One lady had to move because her knees were bothered so badly. I on the other hand kept hitting my head on the persons knee behind me. Could be my fault, when I have a good laugh I throw my head back. I apologized 3 times. The show was fantastic. I love Broadway
google avatar

Alex Z.

Yelp
The theater has big stage not too many seat, that say most of the seats are pretty good, I don't think there's partial view on the sides. The legroom is also large makes your theater experience more enjoyable. When you get out might take a long time if you sit in the front as they have two exit rows that moves slow.

Ira T.

Yelp
SENIORS BEWARE! The bathroom situation at the John Golden theater creates a danger to seniors who may be forced to stand on a narrow staircase due to the fact that the bathrooms are only in the basement. No signage or age appropriate access is provided. Staff is limited. Security personnel act like bouncers and are threatening.My wife and I suffered through this harrowing experience on May 19th at a matinee performance and were so upset and ill that we had to leave mid performance. A weak apology was provided by the manager and nothing of any consequence has been forthcoming from the Shubert Organization.
google avatar

Ebony C.

Yelp
First time back at the theater since early 2019. Seriously, covid needs to go away...like for real. I was a little weary going to the theater. Mainly because it's already so tight to begin with. I'm about average height at 5'5" and the seats and rows are always so close together. But that's every theater, so no surprise. I digress...I decided to go and just be mindful of the protocols and stick to them. When we got there, the staff was on top of everything. They made sure people had their mask on properly and were definitely telling people they would be asked to leave if they had to come back. It made me feel better about going. Welcome back Broadway! Hopefully it'll stay open.
google avatar

Karen S.

Yelp
The John Golden Theatre is among some of the best seating on Broadway. If I can sit in a seat comfortably for 90 mins with no intermission, then 96% of the adult population can as well. Plenty of leg room, plenty wide, plenty cushy. Verging on the smaller side sized theater. Excellent acoustics. I was seated in Row M Seat 115. Perfect. I could see all the actor spittle with no fear of getting hit by it. Great sight lines. Well, for me... I'm tall. The incline isn't all that steep so I can't tell you what it was like for the people behind me, but I don't think it was a problem. I couldn't have been the tallest person in the Orchestra and no one else looked blocked. The restrooms are on the lowest level. I didn't venture down so I can't speak on them. There's not much of a lobby or vestibule so it's slow exiting because people block the doors despite the staff politely telling them not to. It didn't help that it was pouring outside either. The stage door is to the right, accessible from both sides. Since it was pouring, I didn't stick around to get my playbill signed but I did see Jim Parsons (Sheldon, Big Bang Theory) go in. He was wearing a snazzy hat. The show was "Hillary and Clinton" starring Laurie Metcalf and John Lithgow. Excellent. I'll be reviewing the show separately. Overall it was a great time! Thanks for the solid, Romey!
google avatar

Michael T.

Yelp
First time in this theater was in the 1970s for a show that closed opening night called Fame (about Marilyn Monroe). Most recently Topdog/Underdog. For the latter, I sat in orchestra and had better leg room than most older theaters I've been in. Easy to exit though and bathrooms in a different level than orchestra.
google avatar

Andie E.

Yelp
This is another theatre that I've been to many times. Beautiful, well-run theatre. It's one of the smaller Broadway theaters, so if you sit in rear mezz, it's not really that far away from the stage. Of course, nothing beats center orchestra seats but if you don't want to shell out big bucks, rear mezz is decent. The only drawback of rear mezz is the lack of leg room if you're tall like me. Also, the restrooms are in the basement, so make a visit before you hike up to rear mezz. On this occasion, I saw Hillary and Clinton. 90 min., No intermission...my kinda show! Haha. Laurie Metcalf and John Lithgow were fantastic!! I've been fortunate to have seen both in various other productions and I've never been disappointed by these two steller performers! Hillary and Clinton is no exception. Go see them while you can. What a treat!
google avatar

Johanna B.

Yelp
The theater: smallish, shabby and looking run down. In fact, the balcony overhung pretty low onto the orchestra level. Granted, we had amazing row L orchestra seats but the floor is evenly leveled meaning expect tall people's heads in your view shot. I cannot write about the bathroom or whether it is/was a nightmare for women. The play: Waverly Gallery. A dark comedy about a woman (former attorney/art gallery owner) in her late 80's going mad due to effects of late stage Alzheimers. Maybe I don't have a sense of humor but for some reason, the subject matter and the strain the entire family went through as a result didn't hit my funny bone. I thought the acting was quite good and I realize humor was injected to lift the mood but it wasn't my kind of play. Again, good acting, nice stage design and a watchable performance but if I'm going to see a drama, it would be something else. Overall, I love Broadway, both drama and musicals and will take any opportunity to see a show. This theater was not the most opulent on Broadway. My tickets were comps and it was a nice way to spend an evening with a friend post-Christmas.
google avatar

Cathy D.

Yelp
Nice theater. Had to wait outside for a bit even though I had tickets in advance but I think that's pretty standard; the rain dripped on me. I had a really expensive seat toward the front which meant I was trapped when it was time to exit the theater and wait in the very long line for the ladies room. Bottled water is $6. I got a shot of whisky and it was $20. And the "reusable" cup leaked a little bit. The play was great though--from the third row.
google avatar

Donathon C.

Yelp
* The Waverly Gallery and SEAT Review * the show was really good! I'm so glad we chose to see this play over the others we were debating on. The cast was perfect! Everyone who was casted was perfect for their roles! If you are planning on seeing this play, make sure you're in the mood to see one that's super powerful and one that will definitely tug on your heart strings! Although funny, it'll take you on an emotional roller coaster. *** TIP *** If you are looking for tickets on stubhub, get the tickets early! Don't wait until the day of the event because all the tickets will be gone... or the only ones left, if any, will be ridiculously expensive. - It's not like sporting events where the longer you wait, the cheaper the tickets get. It's the opposite! The longer you wait for broadway shows, the quicker they sell out until they're gone :( We missed out on several shows because of this Our seats: Front Mezzanine Sides Row D | Seats 122,124 We loved our seats! This is a very small venue so don't sweat trying to find "the best seats". The rows are stacked high so everyone is close to the stage, making every seat a good seat. So my advice is to just find tickets in your price range and everything will be fine!
google avatar

Vic G.

Yelp
Despite the small size, this theatre is quite cozy. Very comfortable seats. Well ventilated. Although old, it is very well kept. And because it isn't too big, all seats are quite good and have good views. And clearly tickets are cheap.
google avatar

Phil G.

Yelp
I am surprised at the negative reviews. This is a venerable NYC theater, intimate, with great sight lines. We saw Laurie Metcalf and John Lithgow in "Hillary and Clinton," and while the production had some "gender" issues, the theater itself; acoustics, seating etc. was excellent.

Bernard D.

Yelp
I thought that I was going to need paramedics to assist me when the play was over to stand up. The most uncomfortable chair and tight knee spacing I have ever sat in!!! My boyfriend and I kept rubbing our knees during the performance to ease the aches and pains. Most people around us complained about the chairs when the lights turned on.
google avatar

Jane P.

Yelp
I saw Slave Play here right before it closed and my verdict on the theater itself is this: it's an intimate, historic theater with usher and bathroom issues. It could be a venue with great ambiance but the ushers' professionalism was lacking: during the show, one female usher was full-on loud snoring in the downstairs bar/bathroom area, spread out on a small couch having a nap. She didn't stir once. The show is a short, quiet show! Come on! I could hear her as soon as I began heading downstairs. Also, if you can't use stairs, you can't go to any restroom in the theater: my friend who has trouble with stairs was told to go two doors down(!) to another theater to use their accessible bathroom. I get it, that's a historical building for you... but two doors down is a hike for people who have mobility issues. This is a tough issue with no easy answer, so until massive renovation on the theater, it's just going to be a significant inconvenience for some patrons.
google avatar

Jordan W.

Yelp
The play itself I give it FIVE Stars. I saw SEMINAR here on thursday night (YELP NIGHT). Yeap the date was lucky 26th of January. THe venue itself was very small. Thank fully no one was sitting to my left side in the row. I was still a but cramped up. I did enjoy myself seeing this play but the actual venue was nothing special. I was in the Orchestra section to the left. I had a very excellent view of the stage. The play is great to check out. Alan Rickman and Jerry O' Connell were fantastic. I heard this is Jerry's BROADWAY debut. Good for him.
google avatar

Santeri P.

Yelp
The nice thing about this theatre is that since it is small there is basically no bad seat in the house. I sat second row from the back at the top of the balcony and the view was still fine. Maybe I couldn't make out perfectly the facial expressions of the actresses but otherwise no problem. I could hear everything perfectly and since the balcony is so steep there is no chance that anyone in front of you can block your view even when looking down. My wife is quite short and normally complains about her line of sight being blocked by the heads of people in front but not here. And I honestly like the historical feel of the theatre. The staff was great too. Our tickets were at will call and we hardly even had to wait in line the box office was so quick. There are two bars, one in the basement and one upstairs. They allow drinks in the theatre after they put it in a spill-proof cup, think sippy cup for adults, and the bartender was fun and friendly. Both before and at the end of the show the line for the women's restroom was a mile long while the men had no line. After the show had ended and I was waiting for my wife while she waited in line, most of the men were finished using the restroom while the women still had a long line. A female staff member came and checked the men's restroom and as soon as the last man had left she allowed women to use the men's restroom while she watched the entrance. She kept both lines moving and stayed until everyone was finished.
google avatar

Leah S.

Yelp
OMG these seats are SO narrow - everyone sat with their arms folded and some people sat leaning forward. I think it's time to change and update your seats and if you look down the aisle, you can see everyone's shoulder sticking outsize the seat and legs in the aisle. The knee room was a bit better -- far better than the Helen Hayes theater - and I noticed that some of the seats had some more leg room but in the back of the theater in the orchestra section they are up a step. My leg hung down and fell asleep. The staff however are completely lovely. We are not the size people were when this theater was built. Seriously for hundreds of dollars for a play you really should upgrade your seating.
google avatar

Marianne W.

Yelp
All I remember is the show. All theaters have little leg room, are intimate, and have limited bathroom access. Sometimes when you exit after a show you end up in an alley. I've gone that route a couple of times. Deal with it people. It's all part of the historic Broadway live theater experience. As for this theater my last visit was 2009 for Avenue Q! A fun time was had by all. Would I go back to this theater if given the opportunity? Yes! I will go to any theater in the theater district. That's as close to the soul of a live performance as I can get!
google avatar

Karen J.

Yelp
A good friend, gave me two tickets to Eclipsed for myself & my daughter as a graduation / birthday gift... I must say I was so pleased...are seats where mezzanine 102 & 104, A little cramped then to the right of me came an older gentleman who also felt cramp, So I turned to him, in a casual way & smiled told him if he wanted to put his arm around me so we can have more space to feel free & he did!! Oh boy!! What a good laugh... That two strangers can sit next to each other and laugh with so much tragic events going on in the world...but back to the show!! It was amazing, from start to finish. The emotions were so real, their accents were amazing, The tears as well...and yes, I did cry...such a shame that the show is coming to an end..but Thank you to the Cast of Eclipsed..
google avatar

Lili K.

Yelp
Came here to watch "The Normal Heart," starring my oh-so-favorite Jim Parsons from Big Bang Theory!! This theatre is NOT small-it can fit hundreds of people. Unfortunately, I sat in the way last row (cheapest tix) but I was still able to see all the actors & actresses. It wasn't the best place though, so don't think you can always settle for the back row! Outside, we waited about 1.5 hours until we saw Jim Parsons in person-and yes, it was well worth it! There were only about 30 loyal fans left around that time (close to midnight), and we got awarded-I got his autograph and picture, WORD!
google avatar

Claudia B.

Yelp
I'm in total agreement with Don W. The John Golden Theater is small, a bit old and faded, and the seats were definitely too small. I'll add, and the rows were too closely set together, as well. Anyway, we saw Avenue Q here, and while the show was super funny and wonderful, it did not diminish my focusing on the inconveniences of feeling totally cramped. I just didn't like that, and sadly, it kind of detracted from the show for me. If I'm in New York to see another show at THIS theater, I WILL think twice about it because it was not comfortable. It gets 3 stars ONLY BECAUSE Avenue Q was AWESOME !!!!!!!!!
google avatar

Tony L.

Yelp
There's not a bad seat in the theatre. I've sat in the orchestra, front mezzanine and rear mezzanine. All the locations provided a full and unobstructed view of the stage. The theatre is tiny compared to most Broadway houses. With this comes less leg room than the already small amount other theatres provide (packing more seats in an already small space). There isn't much of a lobby or lounge to speak of. The design of the theatre is pretty awful compared to most theatres built around that same time period (faded yellow and dusty gray are the primary colors). 1927 was a period of beautiful architectural design, yet somehow this theatre was left out. It is simple and shabby...the one saving grace is the ceiling with its arches.
google avatar

Tisch T.

Yelp
Thank You Golden Theatre for showing The Normal Heart; Larry Kramer's landmark play about love, AIDS & NYC in the 1980's. It chronicles the rise of the AIDS crisis in NYC as seen through the fighting eyes of writer/activist Ned Weeks, the gay Jewish founder of a prominent HIV advocacy group. The first time I went to see this, I... It was to raw, too close to my heart and I had to leave the theatre, you see my brother and his friends were all dying! This was my life for many years as I volunteered with GMHC & Act Up promoting and recruiting for the First several Walk & Dance a-thons..raising money and awareness! I was very angry at the World then for it's fear & ignorance. I once had a Woman (who resembled my grandmother) on Central Park West throw a handful of rocks at me, Yelling ..."It's God's way of getting rid of Homo's" ..Seriously! We...I, have come a long way since then, not only did I manage to make it through this performance (not without tears), but with an open "normal heart"... with much Love & Acceptance... the key to solving any World crisis! It was Synchronicity at it's best when my friend asked me to join her on my brother's birthday (22 yrs after his passing)... It was heart wrenching... the performances, the diverse crowd. Ellen Barkin, as (Dr. Emma Brookner) was outstanding, I just love her spirit, she so reminds me of the pioneer Angie Dickinson, never missed an episode... back in the day! Joe Mantello's (Ned Weeks) spectacular drive and Intensity brought me right back to the 80's front-line defense against the enemies. While Jim Parsons as the witty volunteer (Tommy Boatwright) who made us laugh with his dry cutting humor & his own big bang theory's! I'm glad I went to see this... It opened the door again, a door I shut a long time ago after being burnt out from the fighting and the disappointment! In the Words of Elizabeth Taylor and Larry Kramer, we can not give up! We still have a long way to go to end this Plague! We all need to do more... After all... "Disappointment to a noble soul is what cold water is to burning metal; it strengthens, tempers, intensifies, but never destroys! it." So... Let's do more...Be the General in this War without a leader and Fight until.... we start "Winning"!
google avatar

Siobhan B.

Yelp
This location is part of the Broadway family of theatres. It has a traditional feel to its front foyer at pavement level with doors thAt open directly to a modest lobby that acts as a corridor to get to the orchestra level seats with two sets of stairs (over 12) leading to the mezzanine level seating options. I was travelling with a family member with disabilities who could not manage the many stairs to the mezzanine or lower level bar and bathrooms. No accessible bathrooms is major. Perhaps they have a plan but we never heard it. But she also struggled with the row seating being too low and for leg/ hip space. This posed a somewhat significant problem in that with historically very narrow seats there is not much allowance for different body types in orchestra or any level seats beyond a few aisle seats which have been reconfigured to have the armrest raise for ease of transfer from mobility devices. The usher was helpful in directing us to the house manager who at first suggested some free-standing seats that could be arranged on the mezzanine level but with stairs as a barrier that was unfortunately not an option. They then went to box office to see if any of the accessible seats with the movable armrest were available. Very fortunately one was available and we were able to use one of the available booster seats to address the seat height (once made comfy via a folded coat). We were very happy to get to see the wonderful production. I started out trying to get the same day discount tickets via TKTS in time square who directed us to the theatre because their seats are usually in the mezzanine. It was a great tip- the theatre box office was great and matched the same day deal for orchestra. Not sure if everyone will feel up to navigating all the extra steps but we were THRILLED to see the show.
google avatar

Kari C.

Yelp
Golden Theatre is a relatively small theatre. There's not a bad seat in the house, regardless of if you're sitting all the way in the back or in the balcony. Unlike some other theaters, where patrons pay for front row seats and are very cramped, the seats here are actually spacious. Friendly staff at the box office, security and ushers. Easy location to find in the theatre district. Bathrooms are downstairs. Women's restroom has less than a handful of stalls, so there is an enormous line that tends to form. People come around to sell refreshments to guests. Overall, good theatre to visit for a show.
google avatar

Aaa B.

Yelp
Talk about an intimate experience! Meaning: try to get up to use the restroom and you'll have to ask half of your row to stand up so you can squeeze out. Beyond the slightly cramped seating, the theater is small enough that there are probably no bad seats in the house. Great viewing of the stage, perfect for Avenue Q, and great sound mixing. Times visited: 1
google avatar

Lynn B.

Yelp
Intimate house. Plenty of good seats, but be careful in the upper mezzanine. The front row is especially cramped, with the curve of the balcony shortening leg room in the middle of the sections to mere inches. I'm 6'2", and my knees were touching the balcony wall. Couldn't even cross my legs. Oh, and only 5 stalls for the ladies from my wife's count.
google avatar

Lisa G.

Yelp
John Golden was a noted producer in 1937 when this theatre was renamed in his honor (originally Theatre Masque when it was built in 1927). This cozy space has witnessed the peformances of Robert Redford, Victor Borge, James Earl Jones and Vanessa Redgrave. It's an intimate theatre that still has the tightness that was customary for 1927, but is a bit cramped for a modern audience. Still, I fully enjoyed last spring's The Normal Heart, which won three Tonys and starred Ellen Barkin. Such an incredibly powerful production directed by the incomparable Joel Grey.
google avatar

David M.

Yelp
Intimate old theater with fine sight lines and long bathroom lines. The current play, 3 Tall Women, is 10 stars.
google avatar

Christopher M.

Yelp
I've been to a handful of plays in this theater. I've sat in the third row orchestra (designated premium seats)....rear orchestra....and front row of rear mezz. I'm a big guy. And these older theaters were built for smaller bodies. Usually I feel cramped around my love handles, or my knees. However, the most comfortable I've been in this theater is front row mezz, because there is a curtain instead of a wall, and you can hang your feet out for more room. Caveat: usually means you're holding your bag in your lap, unless the seat next to you is empty, or you're fine putting it under the seat. Ushers have always been pleasant enough here. The theater itself is old charm beautiful (tapestries, chandelier, and all). The bar area on the second floor is nice, spacious enough, and has bench seating. The lobby is far too small. Overall, the theater itself doesn't keep me from seeing a play here.