Chicago The Musical Ambassador Theater

The story

The Ambassador Theatre sits on a plot just 100 by 100 feet, so architect Herbert J. Krapp angled the entire building on a diagonal axis to squeeze in 1,125 seats. The Shubert brothers built it after World War I as part of a theatrical complex around 48th and 49th Streets, opening it on February 11, 1921. Its golden brick facade curves at the southeast corner to meet Broadway, drawing audiences into a lobby that feeds the back of the orchestra. Inside, Adam-style detailing and decorated box arches earned the auditorium New York City landmark status.