Samuel J. Friedman Theatre

The Friedman opened as the Biltmore in 1925, designed by Herbert J. Krapp and produced by the Chanins. It premiered the comedies The Heiress, My Sister Eileen, and Barefoot in the Park. Legendary rock musical Hair debuted in 1968. The empty Biltmore Theatre fell into disrepair in the late 1980s, plagued by vandals, arsonists, and looters. In 2001, the Manhattan Theatre Club purchased and fully restored the theatre, and it was renamed for press agent Samuel J. Friedman in 2008. Read Full "At This Theatre"

Built: 1925
Number of Seats: 637
Longest Running Show: Hair
Performances: 1,525
Stage Door: To your right as you exit the main 47th St. doors.
Bathrooms: Ladies and Men's: Lower-lounge and mezzanine levels, including wheelchair-accessible restrooms. There is a second men's room at the top of the mezzanine level.
Concessions: Lower-lounge level, located down one flight of stairs from the orchestra level.

View Seating Chart

Previous Shows in This Building

Name History

Samuel J. Friedman Theatre	2008
Biltmore Theatre	1925

Owner History

Oct 16, 2003 - Oct 31, 2008	Manhattan Theatre Club	Theatre Lessee
Jan 1, 2000 - Oct 31, 2008	Biltmore 47 Associates	Theatre Owner
Jun 1, 1993 - Dec 31, 2000	Stewart F. Lane	Theatre Owner
Jun 1, 1993 - Dec 31, 2000	The Nederlander Organization	Theatre Owner
Jan 1, 1992 - Jun 30, 1993	Manufacturers and Traders Trust Company of Buffalo	Theatre Owner
Feb 1, 1986 - Dec 31, 1992	Murray Hill Investments, Inc.	Theatre Owner
Nov 11, 1980 - May 13, 1984	The Nederlander Organization	Theatre Lessee
Aug 10, 1960 - Feb 28, 1986	David J. Cogan	Theatre Owner
Oct 19, 1951 - Feb 1, 1962	CBS	Theatre Lessee
Oct 19, 1951 - Aug 10, 1960	Irving Maidman	Theatre Owner
Jan 1, 1937 - Oct 19, 1951	Bernard Klawans	Theatre Operator
Nov 21, 1935 - Oct 19, 1951	George Abbott	Theatre Owner
Nov 21, 1935 - Oct 19, 1951	Warner Brothers Theatre Ventures	Theatre Owner
Dec 7, 1925 - Nov 21, 1935	Chanin Construction Company	Theater Owner