Astor Place Theatre

The story

Al Pacino was a newcomer when he took the stage here on January 17, 1968, opening Israel Horovitz's The Indian Wants the Bronx and announcing what the Astor Place Theatre would become: a room where unknown work turns into something necessary. Tucked inside Colonnade Row — nine connected buildings from 1831, only four still standing — the off-Broadway house has since premiered plays by Tom Eyen, A.R. Gurney, Terrence McNally, and Larry Shue. Blue Man Group called it home from 1991 until February 2, 2025, eventually buying the building outright in 2001.