Gershwin Theatre Guide: Best Seats for Wicked, Tickets and Tips
The Gershwin Theatre on West 51st Street is the largest theater on Broadway, and since 2003 it has been the home of Wicked. If you are going to Wicked in New York, this is where you will be. This guide covers how the theater is laid out, where to sit, how to get cheaper Wicked tickets, how to get there, and what to know before you arrive.
Gershwin Theatre at a glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | 222 West 51st Street, between Broadway and Eighth Avenue |
| Current show | Wicked, running here since October 2003 |
| Seats | About 1,933, the most of any Broadway theater |
| Levels | Orchestra (about 1,300 seats) and mezzanine (about 600 seats) |
| Opened | November 28, 1972, as the Uris Theatre |
| Operator | The Nederlander Organization |
| Nearest subway | 50th Street (1 and C/E), 49th Street (N/Q/R/W), 47th to 50th Streets Rockefeller Center (B/D/F/M) |
A short history
The theater opened in 1972 as the Uris Theatre, built into the base of the office tower now known as Paramount Plaza. It was one of the first new Broadway houses built in decades, and its design by Ralph Alswang was modern and large rather than ornate. The first show, a rock musical called Via Galactica, was a famous flop, but the house went on to host The King and I in 1977, the original Sweeney Todd in 1979, Starlight Express in 1987 and the 1994 revival of Show Boat. It was renamed for George and Ira Gershwin in 1983, at the time of that year’s Tony Awards.
The building also holds the American Theater Hall of Fame. The names of inductees are inscribed on the walls of the lobby and rotunda, so take a few minutes before the show or at intermission to look for your favorite performers and writers.
How the theater is laid out
The Gershwin is not at street level. The box office is on the ground floor, and escalators take you up to the main lobby on the second floor, where the auditorium sits. A covered walkway at the base of the building connects 50th and 51st Streets. Allow a few extra minutes for the escalators and the crowd, especially for an evening show.
Inside there are only two seating levels, the orchestra and a single mezzanine. That is unusual for a theater this size. It means the orchestra is very wide and fairly deep, and the mezzanine is large and set back. There is no second balcony, so the rear mezzanine is as far as you can be from the stage, and it is quite far.
Where to sit for Wicked
Wicked uses the full width and height of the stage. The famous dragon sits above the proscenium arch, and the end of the first act happens high above the stage floor. That shapes which seats are worth paying for.
- Center orchestra, about rows F to P. Close enough to see faces clearly and far enough back to take in the whole set. These are usually the most expensive seats in the house.
- Front mezzanine, rows A to E. Many regular theatergoers think these are the best seats for Wicked. You see the entire stage picture, including the dragon and the flying effects, without anyone’s head in the way. The front row has a safety bar that can block the view for shorter people and children, so consider row B or C if that is a concern.
- Side orchestra. Because the orchestra is so wide, the far side sections can lose a sliver of the stage on the opposite side. These seats are often cheaper and still decent, but sit as close to center as your budget allows.
- Rear mezzanine. The cheapest seats in the house. You will see everything, but faces will be small. Bring binoculars or opera glasses if you can.
- Very front orchestra. The first few rows are close, but you will be looking up, and you may miss some action at the top of the set.
How to get cheaper Wicked tickets
Wicked has some of the most generous discount programs on Broadway. According to the official Wicked site, the options are:
- Digital lottery, $55 including fees. Enter on Broadway Direct from 9 a.m. the day before the performance until 3 p.m. that day. Winners have one hour to buy online.
- Student tickets, $59. Available at the Gershwin box office with a valid college or university ID for select Tuesday to Thursday performances in the current month, two per ID, subject to availability.
- Military tickets, $79. Same rules as the student rate, with a valid military ID.
New York Theatre Guide also reports an in person lottery at the Gershwin for $30 seats, with entries taken at the theater before each performance. Details change, so check the official ticket page before you go. Our guide to cheap Wicked tickets on Broadway goes into more detail, and the Broadway lottery and rush guide covers other shows too.
If you are paying full price, buy from the official seller linked from the Wicked website. Resale sites sometimes list Wicked well above face value, and fees can add a lot. Our explainer on ticket fees shows how to compare the real total.
Running time and age guidance
Wicked runs about two hours and 45 minutes with one intermission. There is no strict age limit printed on the official ticket page, but Broadway theaters generally require every person to have a ticket and do not admit babies. Most families find Wicked works for kids around eight and up. For other ideas, see our list of Broadway shows for kids.
Getting there
The Gershwin is on the south side of West 51st Street between Broadway and Eighth Avenue, on the northern edge of the Theater District. The 50th Street station on the 1 line is about a block away, and the C and E trains stop at 50th Street and Eighth Avenue. The N, Q, R and W stop at 49th Street, and the B, D, F and M stop at 47th to 50th Streets Rockefeller Center, both a short walk. Driving is not recommended, but there are several garages on West 51st and West 50th Streets if you need one. Book parking ahead online for the best rates.
Before you go
- Arrive early. Doors usually open 30 to 45 minutes before curtain. With security screening, the escalators and the size of the crowd, plan to arrive at least 30 minutes ahead.
- Bags. Bring a small bag. Bags are checked at the door, and there is limited space at your seat.
- Restrooms. Lines at intermission are long in a 1,900 seat house. Go before the show or right when the first act ends.
- Merchandise. The merchandise stands are busy before the show and at intermission. If you want something, the end of the night is usually quieter.
- Eating nearby. Ninth Avenue in Hell’s Kitchen, a few blocks west, has dozens of restaurants at different prices, and many offer pre theater menus.
Seeing Wicked outside New York
If New York is not in your plans, Wicked is also on a North American tour. Our Wicked tour dates page lists every city, and our other NYC venue guides cover the Minskoff Theatre for The Lion King, the Richard Rodgers Theatre for Hamilton, and Radio City Music Hall.
Related guides
NYC theater guides
- Minskoff Theatre guide (The Lion King)
- Richard Rodgers Theatre guide (Hamilton)
- Radio City Music Hall guide
- Broadway shows in New York
Wicked
Gershwin Theatre: Common Questions
How many seats are in the Gershwin Theatre?
About 1,933, making it the largest theater on Broadway. Roughly 1,300 are in the orchestra and 600 in the mezzanine.
What are the best seats for Wicked at the Gershwin?
Center orchestra rows F to P and front mezzanine rows A to E give the best views of the full stage.
How much is the Wicked lottery?
The official digital lottery is $55 including fees. Entries open the day before the performance at 9 a.m. and close at 3 p.m.
How long is Wicked on Broadway?
About two hours and 45 minutes with one intermission.
What subway goes to the Gershwin Theatre?
The 1 to 50th Street is closest. The C and E stop at 50th Street and Eighth Avenue.
Why is the Gershwin lobby upstairs?
The theater is built into the Paramount Plaza tower. Escalators lead from the street level box office to the second floor lobby.
Featured photo: Gershwin Theatre auditorium. Photo: Epicgenius, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Cropped and resized for web.
Sources and corrections
Dates and details were checked on November 8, 2026 against these sources:
- Wicked official site: tickets (Lottery price and rules, student and military rates, box office address, mezzanine safety bar note)
- New York Theatre Guide: rush and lottery guide (updated November 6, 2026) (In person lottery details)
- Wikipedia: Gershwin Theatre (Seat count, history, layout, Theater Hall of Fame)
- Wikimedia Commons: featured photo (Photographer and license)
Dates change. Always confirm your performance on the official page before you buy. Spot an error? Email info@theatertickets.com and we will check it and update this page.
