Could the Ed Sullivan Theatre return to Broadway?

[MaxineElliott]

Posted: 7/17/25 at 8:03pm

With the Late Show ending next year and the slow death of Network/Late Night Television could the Ed Sullivan Theatre (originally built as the Hammerstein Theatre, a Broadway House) be returned for legitimate theatre? Would love to see it happen if the space is no longer needed by CBS. Hopefully it goes into the hands of someone with good intentions rather than see it not used or take down. 
 

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[GottaGetAGimmick420]

Posted: 7/17/25 at 8:24pm

I ... do not hate this idea

[ElephantLoveMedley]

Posted: 7/17/25 at 8:27pm

PLEASE!

[two ladies tickets]

Posted: 7/17/25 at 8:51pm

I remember going to a taping of Kate and Allie there  in the 1980s. I know there was another sitcom that shot there before David Letterman moved in, but I can't be bothered to look it up right now. Turning it back into a legitimate Broadway house would be amazing. 

[Call_me_jorge]

Posted: 7/17/25 at 9:04pm

Paramount will probably just sell the building to BlackRock or Blackstone for redevelopment before one of the theatre owners.

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 7/17/25 at 9:19pm

Maybe ALW can buy it since he’s in the market for a theatre. 

[Age_of_Mendacity]

Posted: 7/17/25 at 9:27pm

It would require a major costly renovation to make it a viable Broadway theatre. It's currently configured with fewer than 400 seats and is essentially an office building with a tiny theatre at its base. I'd imagine converting the stage; lighting and sound systems; and backstage area would turn most investors off.

If Roundabout didn't already have the Laura Pels, it might be a good off-Broadway space for them, but not in this economy. Maybe if CBS could sell the office building separately from the theatre ... maybe

[Blow Gabriel]

Posted: 7/17/25 at 9:32pm

Is it a protected theater?  

[Age_of_Mendacity]

Posted: 7/17/25 at 9:36pm

Blow Gabriel said: "Is it a protected theater?"

Looks like the theatre is on the list of U.S. Historical Places and the lobby and auditorium are NYC Landmarks since the 80s, but it's been renovated inside since then, so I don't know to what extent.

[Blow Gabriel]

Posted: 7/17/25 at 9:43pm

If it were to be sold, I doubt anyone would want the space anyway except for the Broadway landlords. I wonder what Paramounts plans are with it. 

[GiantsInTheSky2]

Posted: 7/17/25 at 10:14pm

They did an $18m restoration just a decade ago to restore the neo-gothic interior (as well as revamp & add dressing, makeup, talent and green rooms). It’s much more functional and easier to revert back to a theater now than it was with Letterman. The blueprints and plans for the restoration and changes for Colbert are available online. The balcony is still there behind a curtain to my understanding.