Tours of the Historic New Victory Theater to be Presented by Broadway Up Close

The New Victory Theater; Photo Credit: Mark La Rosa

Walking tours of New York’s oldest operating theater to begin on September 13th.

Tickets On Sale Now! 

It was announced that new walking tour experiences of the historic New Victory Theater will be offered through Broadway Up Close. The New Victory Theater is the oldest operating theater in New York. Since its construction in 1900, the theater’s stage has featured legendary showmen such as Oscar Hammerstein I and Harry Houdini before becoming New York City’s premiere theater for families and young audiences. Broadway Up Close will take visitors through decades of history on 42nd Street and share fascinating anecdotes, architectural oddities, and more for groups interested in learning the thrilling tale of what came before at the New Victory Theater.

From horses center stage to cows on the roof, from opera to burlesque, and from dynamite in the basement to magic on the roof, these theater walls are talking, and the stories are not to be believed! In addition to fun stories, guests on the tour will learn more about the crucial role of New 42, New Victory Theater’s parent organization, in the revitalization of 42nd Street in the 1980s and today. The theater’s founding was a cornerstone of efforts of New York State and New York City to renew the once-beloved theater district following decades of urban neglect. Utilizing rarely seen historic photos, paired with some outstanding stories, Broadway Up Close will make the New Victory Theater come alive as past and present blur before your eyes. 

“Our organization has long been proud of the legacy of the New Victory Theater on New York’s historic 42nd Street,” said Russell Granet, President & CEO of New 42. “With this new partnership with Broadway Up Close, our doors will be opened to the public to share the history of our extraordinary theater and to commemorate its important place in the history of Times Square.”

“Tour-goers are in for a treat as we explore the nooks and crannies of this historic theater,” said Tim Dolan, Owner of Broadway Up Close. “The New Victory Theater perfectly encapsulates the rise and fall – and rise again – of America’s most famous block. And for 90 minutes, theater lovers will get a rare, up close interior glimpse of this Broadway-turned-Off-Broadway gem!”

Tours of the New Victory Theater will begin on September 13, with weekly tours on Tuesdays & Fridays at 2:00 PM and select Sundays at 11:00 AM (tour dates subject to change). A full schedule can be found HERE. Tours will last approximately 90 minutes and are recommended for children ages 7 and up.

Tickets are available for $56 for adults and $51 for children ages 12 and younger. Tickets can be purchased online through Broadway Up Close at https://www.broadwayupclose.com/newvictorytheaterupclose. Reservations are required.

About New Victory Theater

The New Victory opens new worlds to young people and families through extraordinary performances, education and engagement programs. Bringing kids to the arts and the arts to kids since 1995, this nonprofit theater has become a standard-bearer of quality performing arts for young audiences in the United States. Reflecting and serving the multicultural city it calls home, The New Victory is committed to arts access for all communities of New York to experience and engage with the exemplary international shows on its stages. A global leader in arts education, youth development and audience engagement, the New Victory Theater has been honored by the President’s Committee on the Arts and the Humanities with the National Arts and Humanities Youth Program Award, by Americans for the Arts with a national Arts Education Award, and by the Drama Desk for “providing enchanting, sophisticated children’s theater that appeals to the child in all of us, and for nurturing a love of theater in young people.”

About New 42

Under the leadership of President & CEO Russell Granet, New 42 is a cultural nonprofit whose mission is to make extraordinary performing arts a vital part of everyone’s life from the earliest years onward. Driven by a deep commitment to performing arts access, New 42 connects people to world-class performances, essential education and employment programs, and creative communities that push culture forward. Originally established in 1990 by New York City and State to revive West 42nd Street between 7th and 8th Avenues, New 42 stewards the block’s seven historic theater properties and leads the dynamic evolution of the block as a safe and exciting destination. Through New Victory and New 42 Studios, the nonprofit serves artists, educators and New Yorkers of all ages with invaluable arts engagement and resources in and beyond the performing arts. Together with our supporters, New 42 opens new perspectives, incubates new works and creates new opportunities to move us all.

About Broadway Up Close

Broadway Up Close started as a seed of an idea in 2010 by actor Tim Dolan. Inspired by his travels as a performer with the national tour of Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, Tim created a series of walking tours in Times Square that illuminate Broadway’s amazing history, ghost stories, and zany anecdotes – all told from the perspective of working theatre professionals as the guides. In 2015, Tim took BUC from the sidewalks to the studios by creating the Broadway Up Closer Workshops. These experiences allow groups to work one-on-one with current Broadway professionals to experience Broadway like never before. In 2019, Broadway Up Close expanded their physical footprint in Times Square with their Broadway Gift Shop. Featuring creative, whimsical, one-of-a-kind handmade gifts that capture the spirit and joy of the theatre district, the shop highlights Broadway and its glorious theaters. The shop is perhaps best recognized by The BROADWAY Sign: an assemblage of marquee letters stacked six-feet tall with 150 glowing light bulbs, providing the perfect photo op for any theatre lover visiting Times Square!