242 West 45th StreetThe Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre formerly called the Royale Theatre and the John Golden Theatre is a Broadway theatre located at 242 West 45th Street (George Abbott Way) in Midtown Manhattan, New York City. From March 16, 2023, the musical Parade will be held at the Bernard B. Jacobs Theater.
Designed by architect Herbert J. Krapp, and built by the Chanin Construction Company, it opened as the Royale Theatre on January 11, 1927, with a musical entitled Piggy. Produced by William B. Friedlander, Piggy had a weak script, but the popular comedian Sam Bernard played the starring role and carried the show for 79 performances. Bernard died soon after the show closed. Built as part of a three theater complex, alongside the 800-seat Theatre Masque, the 1,600-seat Majestic, and the Lincoln Hotel (now the RowNYC Hotel and previously the Milford Plaza Hotel), the theater features an ornate stone facade, with vaulted large windows above the street frontage. The landmarked interior features murals by Willy Pogany and one balcony level all under an expansive vaulted plasterwork ceiling. With a seating capacity just over 1,100, the theater has been home to both plays and musical productions in its ninety-year history.
Producer John Golden leased the theatre and renamed it for himself from 1932 to 1937 (when he moved to the Theatre Masque next door). The Shubert Organization then assumed ownership and initially leased the theatre to CBS Radio. In 1940, the Royale was restored to use as a legitimate theatre under its original name. On May 9, 2005, it was renamed for longtime Shubert Organization president Bernard B. Jacobs.