The Huntington Theatre

Designed and constructed as America’s first civic playhouse, the building today known as The Huntington Theatre was the first tax-exempt theatre established in the nation. Construction having begun in 1923, it was formally opened with Sheridan’s The Rivals on November 10‚ 1925. The architect was J. Williams Beal and Sons.

Originally named the Repertory Theatre of Boston‚ the theatre was built to be a permanent home for the Henry Jewett Players‚ a Boston–based repertory theatre company. In choosing to locate the theatre across from Symphony Hall and near the Museum of Fine Arts and the old Boston Opera House‚ the theatre’s creators intended to signify its character as a major cultural institution of Boston and its difference from the commercial playhouses in the Boylston‚ Washington‚ Tremont streets area of the city.

Henry Jewett, a native of Australia, whose portrait as Macbeth hangs today in the main stairwell leading to the theatre’s balcony, was a distinguished actor and director. Born in 1862, he moved to the United States around the turn of the century and became the leading man for Julia Marlowe. He settled in Boston shortly after 1900 and organized the Henry Jewett Players. The Jewett Company first offered Shakespeare productions at the Boston Opera House; in 1916 it moved to the Copley Theatre where it performed until the early 1920s. But Jewett’s ambition was to have a permanent home for his company, and he and his wife Frances vigorously pre ... view more »

Designed and constructed as America’s first civic playhouse, the building today known as The Huntington Theatre was the first tax-exempt theatre established in the nation. Construction having begun in 1923, it was formally opened with Sheridan’s The Rivals on November 10‚ 1925. The architect was J. Williams Beal and Sons.

Originally named the Repertory Theatre of Boston‚ the theatre was built to be a permanent home for the Henry Jewett Players‚ a Boston–based repertory theatre company. In choosing to locate the theatre across from Symphony Hall and near the Museum of Fine Arts and the old Boston Opera House‚ the theatre’s creators intended to signify its character as a major cultural institution of Boston and its difference from the commercial playhouses in the Boylston‚ Washington‚ Tremont streets area of the city.

Henry Jewett, a native of Australia, whose portrait as Macbeth hangs today in the main stairwell leading to the theatre’s balcony, was a distinguished actor and director. Born in 1862, he moved to the United States around the turn of the century and became the leading man for Julia Marlowe. He settled in Boston shortly after 1900 and organized the Henry Jewett Players. The Jewett Company first offered Shakespeare productions at the Boston Opera House; in 1916 it moved to the Copley Theatre where it performed until the early 1920s. But Jewett’s ambition was to have a permanent home for his company, and he and his wife Frances vigorously pressed for a facility built by the community. In 1923, the Jewett Repertory Fund was started; many prominent Bostonians, including Calvin Coolidge and A. Lawrence Lowell, president of Harvard University, were on the roster of sponsors.

Almost immediately from its opening‚ the Repertory Theatre was beset by difficulties. There was much theatrical competition‚ and soon an even more serious problem was posed by the advent of talking movies‚ which lured audiences from all types of live entertainment. In 1930‚ Mr. Jewett’s company disbanded. Jewett himself died in the same year.

As the theatre was being closed‚ Jewett’s widow remarked prophetically: “You can’t have a repertory theatre without subsidy — lots of subsidy.” The prescience of this view was proven thirty years later in the 1960s as the American regional theatre movement became increasingly significant and revived the pattern of resident theatre companies.

During the 1930s and 1940s‚ the theatre was known as the Esquire Theatre and was mainly used as a movie house. The Esquire specialized in art films‚ and it was here that Boston audiences first saw Laurence Olivier’s Henry V. During these same years‚ the theatre occasionally reverted to its original purpose‚ as in 1941 when Louis Calhern and Dorothy Gish played in Life with Father.

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LOCATION

The Huntington Theatre

264 Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA 02115

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Accessibility Information

Accessible Restrooms

There are accessible restrooms on all levels of the Huntington Theatre.
All Gender Restrooms
Braille

Braille and large print programs are available at performances with audio description
Elevator
Large Print

Braille and large print programs are available at performances with audio description
Volume Control Telephone

Both the Huntington Avenue Theatre and the Calderwood Pavilion are equipped with an FM hearing enhancement system. Wired headphones and loops are available free of charge at both the Huntington Theatre and the Calderwood Pavilion. Assistive listening devices are made available to patrons at all performances.

Note: Hearing aids must be removed if using one of our headsets (due to the combination creating a feedback issue).

Audio Description is broadcast via a radio transmitter to patrons who wear a single headphone receiver enabling them to hear both the on-stage dialogue and the describer’s narration.

Headsets should be reserved since our supply of devices is limited.
Wheelchair Access

The Huntington Theatre at 264 Huntington Avenue is fully accessible. The theatre can accommodate both wheelchair and companion seating in the orchestra and mezzanine sections. There is a chair lift from the mezzanine lobby to the mezzanine seating area. The Maso Studio is also fully accessible.

ADDITIONAL ACCESSIBILITY INFO: More info at https://www.huntingtontheatre.org/accessibility/accessibility/

PARKING INFO

There are several parking garages within walking distance of The Huntington Theatre. The Huntington is not affiliated with any of these garages. The parking rates listed are valid as of April 11th, 2023 and are subject to change without notice. Please contact the garages directly for the most up-to-date parking information.)

Street parking is very limited, but metered parking spots are available on Huntington Avenue, Massachusetts Avenue, and various streets in the surrounding area. Meters south of Mass. Avenue are in effect until 6pm. Meters north of Mass. Avenue are in effect until 8pm.

Copley Place Garage

24/7 parking available. Special $17 parking rate with entry after 4pm IF you reserve a spot through Spot Hero. Entrance on the corner of Huntington Avenue and Exeter Street. 617 369 5025.

Gainsborough Garage

24/7 and closest to the Huntington Theatre. 10 Gainsborough Street. Click here to see information on rates and reservations. Parking is available at a discount if reserved through Spot Hero. 617 262 9851.

Greenhouse Parking Garage

24/7 parking available. Special $14 parking rate weekdays with entry after 5pm and weekends all day( patron must surrender ticket stub when exiting garage). 150 Huntington Avenue / Garage entrance located on Cumberland Street (first right after The Midtown Hotel). 617 247 0588.

Midtown Garage

Rates and reservation information can be found here.

Pilgrim Parking Hynes Auditorium Garage

$18 parking rate after 4pm. This garage does not validate. 50 Dalton Street, just off Boylston Street, across from the Sheraton Hotel. 617 247 8006. pilgrimparking.com.

Prudential Garage

Special $18 rate available for evenings (after 2pm) and weekends if you present your Huntington Theatre ticket at the concierge desk (ticket must be for the same day you are parking; the concierge desk closes at 8pm Monday-Saturday and 7pm on Sunday). Patron must surrender ticket stub when exiting garage. Prudential Center. 617 236 3060. prudentialcenter.com.