Live Life Team
On November 25, 2008 at the New York City Ballet’s winter gala, New York State Theatre was renamed David H. Koch Theatre after billionaire philanthropist David H. Koch. Koch promised to provide $100 million for the renovation of the theatre and as an endowment for its operation and maintenance. For over 50 years, the theatre will carry his name.
New York State Theatre opened to the public on April 23, 1964 with Richard Rodgers as the president of the Music Theatre of Lincoln Centre. During his term, he revived classic Broadway musicals like ‘The King and I’, ‘Carousel’, ‘Annie Get Your Gun’, ‘Show Boat’, and ‘South Pacific’. There are about 2,755 seats featuring the continental style, especially on the orchestra level. There are four main ascending balconies and a small fifth balcony. Facing them are crystal-like lights, and at the centre of the gold panelled ceiling is a grand spherical chandelier. Samples of contemporary art are presented in the theatre’s lobby. This theatre is home to both the New York City Opera and the New York City Ballet.
This theatre is part of the famous Lincoln Centre for the Performing Arts in New York City. It is located on the south side of the main plaza with Avery Fisher Hall and the Metropolitan Opera House. State of New York funds were used in the construction of this theatre as part of the state’s cultural participation in the World’s Fair in 1964-1965. After the fair, the rights of the theatre were transferred by the state to the City of New York, which then leased it to Lincoln Centre, Inc. The City Centre of Music and Drama, Inc. presently manages the theatre.
