Address: 214 West 42nd Street, Manhattan, New York, NY 10036
Phone: (212) 282-2900
Website: timessquarenyc.org
Hours:
- Monday–Friday: 9:00 AM – 8:00 PM
- Saturday: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM
- Sunday: 10:00 AM – 6:30 PM
A Haunted Broadway Landmark
The New Amsterdam Theatre is the oldest operating Broadway theatre in New York City. It opened in 1903 and was quickly nicknamed “The House Beautiful” for its lush Art Nouveau interior and Beaux-Arts exterior. Designed by architects Herts and Tallant, the building was ahead of its time with modern systems for heating, air filtration, and even vacuum cleaning.
Between 1913 and 1927, the theatre became synonymous with the Ziegfeld Follies, the extravagant musical revues that defined an era of Broadway entertainment. The shows featured lavish costumes, elaborate sets, and iconic performers of the day.
Decline and Disney Revival
By 1937, changing times led the theatre to switch from live performance to film screenings. Over the decades, especially by the 1970s, the theatre and much of 42nd Street had slipped into decay.
A major turning point came when Disney Theatrical Productions took on the project in the mid-1990s. After a two-year, $36 million restoration, the New Amsterdam Theatre reopened in 1997, sparking the broader renewal of Times Square. Since then, it has hosted Disney blockbusters like The Lion King, Mary Poppins, and Aladdin (still running today).
The Ghost of Olive Thomas
The New Amsterdam Theatre is also one of Broadway’s most famous haunted locations. The resident spirit is said to be Olive Thomas, a Ziegfeld Follies chorus girl and silent film star.
Thomas died tragically in 1920 at the age of 25 after ingesting mercury bichloride, reportedly from her husband’s medicine. Soon after, rumors of her ghost began to circulate.
Theatre staff and performers have long claimed to see her wandering the building. She is most often described wearing a beaded green dress and carrying a blue bottle—the very image from her Follies days. Workers say it is tradition to greet her with “Goodnight, Olive!” before leaving for the night.
Playbill has called her Broadway’s “most mentioned ghost,” and technical problems at the theatre are sometimes jokingly blamed on her. NY1 even featured her story, highlighting how beloved her legend has become among the staff.
Visiting Today
The New Amsterdam Theatre is a functioning Broadway venue. Tours are occasionally offered, though most visitors experience it by attending a show. Even if you come for Disney’s Aladdin, the ornate architecture and the ghostly lore make it a one-of-a-kind Broadway experience.
⚠️ Reminder: The theatre is private property. Never trespass into closed areas, and always use caution when exploring places connected with paranormal stories.
Leave a Reply