Names change, but Broadway has a long memory. If you’re looking for the American Airlines Theater NYC, you’ll find it exactly where it’s been since the Selwyn family first opened the doors in 1918, but the marquee looks a little different now. In 2023, the venue was officially renamed the Todd Haimes Theatre. This wasn't some corporate rebranding for the sake of a fresh logo; it was a deeply emotional tribute to the late artistic director of the Roundabout Theatre Company who basically saved the building from becoming a literal pile of rubble.
It’s an iconic spot. Sitting right on 42nd Street, it’s survived the Great Depression, the gritty "decline" of Times Square in the 70s, and the massive corporate overhaul of the 90s.
Honestly, it’s a miracle the place is still standing. Back in the early 90s, the theater was in such bad shape that it was being used as a backdrop for movies that needed to look like a post-apocalyptic wasteland. Rain leaked through the roof. The plaster was crumbling. It was a mess. But Roundabout saw something in it. They took a massive gamble, secured a naming rights deal with American Airlines—the first of its kind for a Broadway house—and turned it into one of the most intimate, technically advanced spaces for straight plays in the city.
The Identity Crisis of a Broadway Landmark
For twenty years, it was the American Airlines Theatre. That name became synonymous with high-end revivals and star-studded dramas. When people talk about the American Airlines Theater NYC, they’re usually thinking of that specific era of prestige. You’ve got to understand how weird it was at the time for an airline to have its name on a theater. Purists hated it. They thought Broadway was becoming a mall. But without that capital, the Selwyn (its original name) would’ve likely been demolished or turned into a giant souvenir shop.
Todd Haimes was the guy who made that deal happen. He was the visionary who grew Roundabout from a small basement operation into a theatrical empire. When he passed away in 2023, the community decided that having a corporate name on the building didn't feel right anymore. It needed to honor the man who spent his life ensuring the lights stayed on.
So, if you’re buying tickets today, don’t get confused. Whether the listing says American Airlines or Todd Haimes, you’re headed to 227 West 42nd Street.
Architecture That Actually Feels Human
Most Broadway theaters are massive, echoing chambers where you need binoculars if you’re in the last row of the balcony. This place is different. It’s got about 740 seats. That sounds like a lot, but in the world of Broadway, that’s tiny. It’s an "intimate" house.
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When you sit in the orchestra, you can see the sweat on the actors' faces. You can hear them breathe. It’s why so many big-name actors—think Alec Baldwin, Laura Linney, or John Lithgow—love performing here. You don’t have to "project" to the back of the room as much as you have to just be there.
The Neo-Renaissance style is gorgeous, too. When Roundabout did the $21 million renovation in 2000, they didn't just slap some paint on the walls. They restored the Italianate murals and the intricate plasterwork. They also did something that every theatergoer appreciates: they added more bathrooms. If you’ve ever been to a show at the Lyceum or the Belasco, you know the "intermission bathroom sprint" is a nightmare. Here, it’s slightly less of a cardiovascular event.
What Makes the Programming Different?
You aren't going to find Wicked or The Lion King here. This isn't the place for long-running, multi-decade musicals with pyrotechnics. The American Airlines Theater NYC (now Todd Haimes) is the home of the "limited engagement."
Basically, Roundabout produces a season of plays. They bring in a show, run it for three or four months, and then it’s gone. It’s a fast-paced cycle. This model allows them to attract A-list Hollywood talent who can’t commit to a two-year contract but are happy to spend twelve weeks in New York doing a classic Chekhov or a gritty modern drama.
- The Revivals: They are known for taking "dusty" classics and making them feel dangerous again. Think The Big Knife or Pygmalion.
- The New Works: Occasionally, they’ll premiere something brand new that challenges the audience, though they lean heavily toward the "prestige" end of the spectrum.
- The Star Power: It’s not uncommon to see someone who just won an Oscar standing ten feet away from you on this stage.
The Survival of 42nd Street
You can’t talk about this theater without talking about the street it sits on. In the 1980s, 42nd Street was... intense. It was the heart of the "Deuce," full of grindhouse cinemas and questionable storefronts. The city eventually stepped in with the "New 42" initiative to clean it up.
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A lot of people complain that Times Square is too "Disneyfied" now. Maybe it is. But the restoration of the American Airlines Theater NYC was a huge part of that transition. It proved that high art could survive alongside the neon lights and the M&M Store. It anchored the block. When you walk through those doors, you’re stepping out of the chaos of the tourist traps and into a space that feels quiet, dignified, and old-school New York.
Hidden Details You’ll Miss if You Don’t Look
Next time you go, look at the ceiling. The mural work is stunning, but people often miss the detail in the boxes. The sightlines in this theater are notoriously good, which is rare for a building over a hundred years old.
Also, check out the Penthouse Lobby. It’s one of the few theaters where you can actually go up and get a view of the street below while sipping a drink. It’s a bit more civilized than standing on a crowded sidewalk during a humid July intermission.
Navigating Your Visit
If you’re planning to catch a show, here’s the deal.
The box office is right there on 42nd Street, between 7th and 8th Avenues. Don't try to drive. Just don't. It’s Times Square. Take the 1, 2, 3, 7, N, Q, R, W, or S train to Times Square–42nd Street. It’s a two-minute walk from the station.
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If you’re looking for cheap tickets, Roundabout has a program called "Hiptix." If you're between 18 and 40, you can get tickets for around $30. It’s probably the best deal in the entire theater district. You have to sign up in advance, but it’s free. They also do a lottery for most shows, but since the house is so small, those tickets are hard to snag.
The Name Legacy
Will people ever stop calling it the American Airlines Theater NYC? Probably not for a while. It’s like how people still call the Willis Tower the "Sears Tower" or how some New Yorkers still insist on calling Sixth Avenue "Avenue of the Americas" (actually, nobody does that, but you get the point).
The corporate sponsorship was a specific moment in NYC history. It was the "sell-out" that saved the art. Now that the building bears Todd Haimes' name, it’s entered a new chapter—one that’s more about the people who make the theater than the brands that fund it.
Actionable Steps for Your Next Trip
Stop searching for the old name and start looking for "Todd Haimes Theatre" on your GPS to avoid any mapping glitches, though most apps have caught up by now. If you want the best experience at this specific venue, follow these steps:
- Check the Roundabout Theatre Company website directly. Since they own the building, you’ll avoid the massive markups on secondary seller sites like Broadway.com.
- Join the Hiptix program if you qualify. There is no better way to see world-class acting for the price of a mid-range dinner.
- Arrive early. The security lines on 42nd Street can be unpredictable because of the foot traffic outside. Give yourself 30 minutes.
- Look for the "Backstage Greatness" photos. The theater often has displays in the lobby or near the bars highlighting the history of the Selwyn and the transition to the modern era.
- Explore the neighborhood properly. Skip the chain restaurants right next door. Walk a few blocks west to Hell’s Kitchen (9th Avenue) for actual good food before the curtain goes up.
The theater is a survivor. It’s been through name changes, physical decay, and a total cultural shift of the neighborhood. Whether you call it the Selwyn, the American Airlines, or the Todd Haimes, it remains one of the most vital rooms in the world for live performance.