The Gershwin Theatre was named in honor of one of America's greatest composers, George Gershwin, and his brother, lyricist Ira Gershwin. The theater's rotunda was designed to showcase the names and photographs of Broadway's own Theater Hall of Fame.
Theatre audiences now enjoy an exhibition on display throughout the main lobby of costumes, opening night gifts, props, stage notes, and other items from the personal collections of such Broadway luminaries as Carol Channing, Julie Harris, Lynn Fontanne, Angela Lansbury, Bernadette Peters, John Raitt, Chita Rivera, Tommy Tune, Irene Worth and many others.
The Gershwin opened in 1972 with 1,900 seats, and is one of The Nederlander Organization's nine Broadway theaters.