The Gershwin was originally called the Uris when it opened on November 28, 1972. The first production staged in the theater was "Via Galactica," a space musical. The theater received the Gershwin name on June 5,1983.
Designed by set designer Ralph Alswang in an Art Nouveau style, the mammoth Gershwin Theatre occupies six stories in the Uris building. The auditorium is on the second floor. Designed for extravagant musical productions, the theater seats 1,900.
Although the theater's first production, "Via Galactica," lasted for only seven performances, the Gershwin has been home to a list of well-received, Tony-winning productions through the years, including a stage adaptation of "Singin' In the Rain," "Sweeney Todd," "My Fair Lady," "The King And I" and "Fiddler on the Roof." The world-renowned artists who have celebrated their talent at the Gershwin include Angela Lansbury, Patti Labelle, Bing Crosby, Frank Sinatra and Nureyev.