If you’re walking down 48th Street looking for the Cort Theatre NY NY, you might think you’re lost. You aren’t. The building is still there, tucked between Sixth and Seventh Avenues, but the name on the marquee changed in 2022. It’s now the James Earl Jones Theatre. Honestly, it’s about time.
For over a century, this place was the Cort. It opened its doors in 1912. John Cort, a big-time theater manager from the Pacific Northwest, wanted a foothold in the city. He got Thomas Lamb—basically the GOAT of theater architecture back then—to design it. Lamb went with a Petit Trianon vibe. Think Marie Antoinette’s palace but in the middle of Midtown Manhattan. It was elegant. It was narrow. And, for a long time, it was starting to show its age.
The Shubert Organization, which owns the joint, didn’t just slap a new name on the front and call it a day. They spent $47 million on a massive renovation. They literally bought the plot of land next door just to build a contemporary annex because the original footprint was too cramped for modern Broadway standards.
Why the Cort Theatre NY NY Had to Evolve
Broadway is a weird mix of high art and "how many people can we squeeze into this room?" The original Cort Theatre NY NY was beautiful, sure, but it was a nightmare for anyone with a disability or, frankly, anyone who needed to use the restroom during a 15-minute intermission.
The renovation changed the game. By adding that new wing, they finally put in an elevator. You’d be shocked how many Broadway houses still don't have them. They also added a lounge and much-needed space for the actors backstage. Before this, the "star" dressing rooms were basically closets.
The Architecture of Thomas Lamb
Thomas Lamb was obsessed with the 18th-century French style. When you look at the facade today, you’re seeing Limoges-inspired marble and carvings that look like they belong in Versailles. It’s one of the few theaters that feels intimate despite having over 1,000 seats.
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The acoustics are famous. Actors love it. It’s a "dry" house, meaning the sound doesn’t bounce around and get muddy. You can hear a whisper from the back of the balcony. That’s rare. Most modern theaters feel like concrete boxes, but the Cort Theatre NY NY—now the Jones—has a soul that’s baked into the plaster.
A Century of Hits and Ghosts
Every old theater has ghosts. Some are literal, if you believe the stagehands, but most are just the memories of the legends who stood on that stage. Grace Kelly made her Broadway debut here in The Father back in 1949. Think about that. Before she was a princess or a Hitchcock blonde, she was pacing these floorboards.
Then you have the heavy hitters. The Heidi Chronicles played here. Sunkissed. On the Mountain. More recently, we saw Denzel Washington in A Raisin in the Sun (2014). That show was a massive moment for the venue. It solidified the theater as a place for serious, prestige drama, not just flashy musicals.
The Name Change Controversy (Or Lack Thereof)
Changing the name of a historic landmark can sometimes spark a "don't ruin my childhood" outcry. Not this time. When the Shuberts announced they were renaming the Cort Theatre NY NY after James Earl Jones, the theater community basically stood up and cheered.
Jones is a titan. He did The Great White Hope and Fences. He’s one of the few people with a "true" EGOT (Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, Tony). Also, let's be real: John Cort’s legacy was complicated. He was involved in some pretty aggressive business practices back in the day that wouldn't fly now. Replacing his name with a Black icon who actually spent his life on stage felt like a poetic correction of history.
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What to Expect When You Visit Today
If you’re heading there now, the experience is night and day compared to five years ago.
First, the lobby. It used to be a bottleneck. Now, there’s breathing room. The new annex has a bar that doesn't feel like a crowded subway car.
Second, the seats. They’re still tight—it’s Broadway, not a cinema—but the sightlines remain some of the best in the city. There isn't really a "bad" seat in the house, though I’d personally avoid the far-right edges of the balcony if you hate looking at the side of a speaker stack.
The stage itself is surprisingly deep for such a narrow building. This allows for complex sets. When Ohio State Murders opened the renovated space starring Audra McDonald, the technical capabilities of the new rigging were on full display. It’s a high-tech brain inside a vintage body.
Practical Tips for the 138 West 48th Street Location
- Don't arrive late. The Jones/Cort is strict. If you miss the first ten minutes, you're watching it on a monitor in the lobby until a "seating break."
- Check the Annex. Most people crowd the old bars. Go to the new side. It's faster.
- The Stage Door. It’s located to the left of the main entrance. If a big star is in the show, the barricades get packed fast.
- Subway Access. Take the N, R, or W to 49th St. It’s a two-minute walk. Or the 1 to 50th St.
The Future of the Venue
The Cort Theatre NY NY isn't a museum piece. It’s a working machine. By investing nearly $50 million, the Shuberts ensured this building will be around for another 100 years. It’s one of the most sought-after houses for "limited run" plays. Producers love it because it’s "small" enough to feel prestigious but "big" enough to actually make a profit if the star is famous enough.
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One thing that people get wrong is thinking the theater is only for plays. While it’s primarily a "house for drama," it has hosted musicals like Bring It On and Bright Star. The acoustics actually handle acoustic folk and rock-leaning scores beautifully.
Honestly, the name change to the James Earl Jones Theatre was more than a PR move. It was a renovation of the building's spirit. The Cort Theatre NY NY served its purpose for a century, but the new era is about accessibility and honoring the performers who actually made the place famous.
Whether you’re a local or just visiting, this theater represents the best of New York’s ability to modernize without tearing down its soul. It’s gritty, it’s gold-leafed, and it’s finally got enough toilets.
Actionable Steps for Your Visit
Before you buy those tickets, do a quick check of the seating chart on a site like View From My Seat. Because the theater is narrow, the "Side Orchestra" seats can be a bit of a gamble depending on how much of the "wing" the production uses.
If you want the full experience, book a table at Joe Allen or Orso on 46th Street for a post-show drink. That’s where the actors go. If you’re lucky, you might see the lead of the show you just watched sitting at the bar, still wearing their stage makeup.
Lastly, take a moment to look up at the ceiling inside the auditorium. The plasterwork was meticulously restored during the 2022 shutdown. It’s one of the few places in Manhattan where you can see 1912 craftsmanship looking exactly the way it did on opening night.