Recognized by audiences and performing artists as one of the most comfortable, friendly, and acoustically-inviting theatres in the greater New York metro area, the NYCB Theatre at Westbury presents a broad range of acclaimed performers geared to virtually every entertainment taste and interest. The venue has a rich and storied history that begins in 1956 when three partners, Frank Ford, Lee Guber
and Shelly Gross, stepped out of car to inspect the underdeveloped industrial site that was to become the Westbury Music Fair. The brilliant multi-colored striped tent was constructed in Chicago and the 1700 individual chairs sent from New England were chosen especially for comfort. The Westbury Music Fair became a reality on June 18, 1956 when the three entrepreneurs opened their first Westbury production. The show was “The King and I” staring Charles Korvin and Constance Carpenter. For ten years, Westbury Music Fair presented the best of Broadway on Long Island with top name talent in starring roles. In 1966, recognizing the ever increasing hunger for more entertainment on Long Island, the tent gave way to a state of the art, fully enclosed theatre-in-the-round. The expanded programming enabled Music Fair Productions to present both Broadway shows and top name talent year round. The first show to be held in the new facility in 1966 was Jack Benny with Special Guest Wayne Newton. Among the many shows to be held at Westbury over the years were performances by Judy Garland (1967), The Who (1968), and Bruce Springsteen (1975) as well as regular appearances by such notable stars as Tony Bennett, Tom Jones, Don Rickles, Diana Ross and many more. Now owned and operated by Live Nation, the NYCB Theatre at Westbury continues to present the best in live entertainment including the top names in contemporary pop, classic rock, comedy, country, and rhythm and blues.
