{{Short description|Theater in Manhattan, New York}} {{Use mdy dates|date=April 2023}} {{Infobox venue | name = Infosys Theater at Madison Square Garden | nickname = | logo_image = | logo_caption = | image = Madison_Square_Garden_(MSG)_-_Hulu_Theater_(48124242906).jpg | caption = Exterior view in 2019 with the old Hulu branding | fullname = | former_names = {{plainlist| * Felt Forum {{small|(1968–89)}} * Paramount Theater {{small|(1991–97)}} * The Theater at Madison Square Garden {{small|(1997–2007; 2009–18; 2023–2026)}} * WaMu Theater at Madison Square Garden {{small|(2007–09)}} * Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden {{small|(2018–23)}} }} | address = 4 Pennsylvania Plaza | location = New York City, New York, U.S. | coordinates = {{Coord|40.750630|-73.993744|type:landmark_globe:earth_region:US-NY|display=inline,title}} | type = | event = | broke_ground = | built = | opened = {{Start date|1968|02|14}} | renovated = 1989–91, 2011–13 | expanded = | closed = | demolished = | owner = Madison Square Garden Entertainment | operator = | surface = | scoreboard = | cost = | architect = Charles Luckman Associates | project_manager = | structural_engineer = | services_engineer = Syska Hennessy | general_contractor = Turner Construction and Del E. Webb Construction Company | main_contractors = | seating_type = | capacity = 5,600 | suites = | record_attendance = | dimensions = | field_shape = | acreage = | volume = | tenants = | embedded = | website = [https://www.msg.com/infosys-theater-at-msg msg.com/infosys-theater-at-msg] | public_transit = }} The '''Infosys Theater at Madison Square Garden''', formerly the '''Felt Forum''', '''Paramount Theater''', '''Hulu Theater''', '''WaMu Theater at Madison Square Garden''', and '''The Theater at Madison Square Garden''', is a theater located in New York City's Madison Square Garden (MSG). It seats between 2,000 and 5,600 people and is used for concerts, shows, sports, meetings, and other events. It is situated beneath the main Madison Square Garden arena that hosts MSG's larger events.
==History== When the Garden opened in 1968, the theater was known as the '''Felt Forum''', in honor of then-president Irving Mitchell Felt.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1989/01/27/nyregion/garden-to-close-the-felt-forum-for-two-years.html |title=Garden to Close The Felt Forum For Two Years|last1=Blair |last2=William G. |date=January 27, 1989 |website=The New York Times |access-date=July 18, 2014}}</ref> In the early 1990s, at the behest of former MSG President Bob Gutkowski, the theater was renamed the '''Paramount Theater''' after the Paramount Theatre in Times Square had been converted to an office tower.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1991/09/11/theater/new-paramount-theater-to-give-radio-city-a-run-for-its-music.html |title= New Paramount Theater to Give Radio City a Run for Its Music |last1=Holden |first1=Stephen |date=September 11, 1991 |website=The New York Times |access-date=July 18, 2014}}</ref> The theater received its next name, '''The Theater at Madison Square Garden''', in the mid-1990s, after Viacom bought Paramount and sold the MSG properties. In 2007, the theater was renamed the '''WaMu Theater at Madison Square Garden''' through a naming rights deal with Washington Mutual. After Washington Mutual's collapse in 2009, the name reverted to The Theater at Madison Square Garden.<ref>{{cite web|last=Fraser|first=Tim|date=September 30, 2008|url=http://www.ticketnews.com/WaMu-Theaters-name-likely-to-change-due-to-financial-crisis09830711|title=WaMu Theaters name likely to change due to financial crisis|website=ticketnews.com|access-date=May 5, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090110063321/http://www.ticketnews.com/WaMu-Theaters-name-likely-to-change-due-to-financial-crisis09830711|archive-date=January 10, 2009|url-status=dead}}</ref> In 2018, the theater signed a deal with Hulu to become the '''Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden'''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.msg.com/|title=The Theater at Madison Square Garden Is Now the Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden|website=MSG|access-date=May 5, 2019}}</ref> In 2023, the theater reverted to the name The Theater at Madison Square Garden.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.msg.com/the-theater-at-msg | title=The Theater at Madison Square Garden | Unforgettable Starts Here }}</ref>
On February 2, 2026, it was announced that Madison Square Garden Entertainment had entered into a naming rights agreement with Infosys, an India-based technology company, to take over the naming rights of the theater, renaming it the '''Infosys Theater at Madison Square Garden'''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.msgentertainment.com/infosys-and-madison-square-garden-family-of-companies-renew-expand-multi-year-digital-innovation-partnership/|title=Infosys And Madison Square Garden Family Of Companies Renew & Expand Multi-Year Digital Innovation Partnership|website=MSG|date=February 2, 2026}}</ref>
==Structure== thumb|The theater's interior in 2007 No seat is more than {{convert|177|ft|m}} from the {{convert|30|by|64|ft|m|adj=on}} stage. Due to its location beneath the main Madison Square Garden arena, the theater has a relatively low {{convert|20|ft|m|adj=on}} ceiling at stage level.<ref>{{cite press release |url=http://www.cirquedusoleil.com/NR/rdonlyres/ev5qhbpo72cywqlemcpzwpdry4lg5cjh3wsanshe3kvn3d3egsugdb2kdxq2edhqa2h2n5k24z2qu27nnymz3qdj7jc/PressRelease7nov_EN.pdf |title=''Wintuk'' created exclusively for WaMu Theater at Madison Square Garden |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090327112136/http://www.cirquedusoleil.com/NR/rdonlyres/ev5qhbpo72cywqlemcpzwpdry4lg5cjh3wsanshe3kvn3d3egsugdb2kdxq2edhqa2h2n5k24z2qu27nnymz3qdj7jc/PressRelease7nov_EN.pdf |archive-date=March 27, 2009 |publisher=Cirque Du Soleil |date=November 7, 2007}}</ref> All of its seating except for boxes on the two side walls is on one level slanted back from the stage. There is an {{convert|8000|sqft|m2|adj=on}} lobby at the theater.
==Events== It hosted Mike Tyson's fourteenth professional fight against Sammy Scaff on December 6, 1985.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1993/07/08/sports/sports-of-the-times-the-garden-throws-its-last-punch.html|title=Sports of The Times; The Garden Throws Its Last Punch|first=Dave|last=Anderson|date=July 8, 1993|work=The New York Times|access-date=May 5, 2019}}</ref> The theater occasionally hosts boxing matches on nights when the main arena is unavailable, or fights between promising boxers who management believe will not fill up "the big room". Notable fights include Sergio Martínez vs. Matthew Macklin in 2012, Vasiliy Lomachenko vs. Guillermo Rigondeaux in 2017, and Teófimo López vs. George Kambosos Jr. in 2021.
Most of the tracks for the Doors' album Absolutely Live (1970) were taken from the Felt Forum in New York City on January 17 and 18, 1970.<ref>https://www.rhino.com/article/happy-50th-the-doors-absolutely-live</ref>
There were many concerts performed at the Felt Forum: in 1971, the Grateful Dead (along with the New RIders of the Purple Sage) had a run from Dec. 4th-7th.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ashes |first=Light Into |date=2020-12-03 |title=Grateful Dead Sources: December 5, 1971: Felt Forum, NYC |url=https://deadsources.blogspot.com/2020/12/december-5-1971-felt-forum-nyc.html |access-date=2023-11-08 |website=Grateful Dead Sources}}</ref><ref>{{Citation |last=Grateful Dead |title=Grateful Dead Live at Felt Forum, Madison Square Garden on 1971-12-05 |date=1971-12-05 |url=http://archive.org/details/gd1971-12-05.131532.miller.sbd.flac16 |access-date=2023-11-08}}</ref>
The venue hosted Game 6 of the 1972 ABA Eastern Division Semifinals on April 10 between the New York Nets and the Virginia Squires, as the Nets could not play in their home venue at the Island Garden; the Nets lost 118–114.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.nytimes.com/1971/04/11/archives/squires-win-118114-and-eliminate-nets-from-aba-playoffs-4-games-to.html | title=Squires Win, 118-114, and Eliminate Nets from A.B.A. Playoffs, 4 Games to 2 | work=The New York Times | date=April 11, 1971 | last1=Jr | first1=Gordon S. White }}</ref>
On May 28, 1976, a memorial concert was held for singer-songwriter Phil Ochs. The over six-hour concert consisted of performances of Ochs's best known material by many of his peers and influences.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.nytimes.com/1976/05/28/archives/the-pop-life-friends-of-phil-ochs-sing-a-tribute-to-him-tonight-at.html | title=The Pop Life | work=The New York Times | date=May 28, 1976 }}</ref>
The 1987 stand-up comedy movie Eddie Murphy Raw was filmed at the Felt Forum.
The theater was home to an annual staging of ''A Christmas Carol'' from 1994 to 2003.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Hernandez|first=Ernio|date=November 28, 2003|title=Ghosts Lead Scrooge in A Christmas Carol for Final MSG Staging, Nov. 28-Dec. 27|url=http://www.playbill.com/article/ghosts-lead-scrooge-in-a-christmas-carol-for-final-msg-staging-nov-28-dec-27-com-116522|url-status=live|access-date=April 23, 2021|website=Playbill|language=en|archive-date=April 26, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210426055958/https://www.playbill.com/article/ghosts-lead-scrooge-in-a-christmas-carol-for-final-msg-staging-nov-28-dec-27-com-116522}}</ref> An annual staging of ''The Wizard of Oz'' played at the theater from 1997 to 1999. Notable actors in the musical included Roseanne Barr, Eartha Kitt, and Jo Anne Worley as the Wicked Witch of the West;<ref>{{cite news |last=Marks |first=Peter |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1997/05/16/theater/pushing-the-speed-limit-on-the-yellow-brick-road.html |title=Pushing the Speed Limit On the Yellow-Brick Road |work=The New York Times |date=May 16, 1997}}</ref><ref name="Kitt">{{cite web |last1=Viagas |first1=Robert |last2=Lefkowitz |first2=David |url=https://playbill.com/article/mickey-rooney-eartha-kitt-oz-opens-in-ny-may-6-com-75157 |title=Mickey Rooney/Eartha Kitt Oz Opens in NY, May 6 |website=Playbill |date=May 6, 1998}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Jones |first1=Kenneth |first2=Christine |last2=Ehren |url=https://www.playbill.com/article/worley-rooney-bring-oz-back-to-msg-may-6-16-com-81683 |title=Worley & Rooney Bring ''Oz'' Back to MSG, May 6–16 |website=Playbill |date=May 5, 1999}}</ref> Mickey Rooney as the Wizard, and Ken Page and Lara Teeter as the Cowardly Lion and Scarecrow, respectively.<ref name="Kitt" />
In 2001, the national tour of ''Rodgers and Hammerstein's Cinderella'' starring Jamie-Lynn Sigler in the title role, Eartha Kitt as the Fairy Godmother, and Paolo Montalban as Prince Christopher played at the theater.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.playbill.com/article/tour-of-r-hs-cinderella-with-sigler-kitt-and-quinton-lands-in-nyc-may-3-13-com-96410 |title=Tour of R&H's Cinderella, With Sigler, Kitt and Quinton, Lands in NYC May 3–13|last=Jones|first=Kenneth|date=May 3, 2001|work=Playbill|accessdate=July 27, 2022}}</ref>
In 2003, popular Australian children's group The Wiggles performed a record 12 sold-out shows in a row at the theater, breaking the previous record held by Bruce Springsteen.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2006/11/30/world/asia/30iht-wiggle.3724588.html/ |title=Fans left feeling blue by yellow Wiggle's retirement|last=Johnston|first=Tim|date=October 30, 2006|newspaper=The New York Times|accessdate=December 1, 2022}}</ref>
In 2005 and 2011, ''Peter Pan'' starring Cathy Rigby in the title role returned to New York City at the theater.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://playbill.com/article/rigbys-peter-pan-will-land-at-nycs-theater-at-madison-square-garden-nov-30-dec-30-com-127255 |title=Rigby's Peter Pan Will Land at NYC's Theater at Madison Square Garden Nov. 30-Dec. 30|last=Jones|first=Kenneth|date=July 29, 2005|work=Playbill|accessdate=July 27, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://playbill.com/article/cathy-rigbys-peter-pan-will-fly-into-theater-at-madison-square-garden-for-the-holidays-com-179025 |title=Cathy Rigby's Peter Pan Will Fly Into Theater at Madison Square Garden for the Holidays|last=Jones|first=Kenneth|date=May 10, 2011|work=Playbill|accessdate=July 27, 2022}}</ref>
From 2004 to 2006 and in 2008 Theatre of MSG hosted the Jammy Award honoring improvisational music.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.jambands.com/news/2008/05/08/trey-mike-page-and-fish-appear-together-at-the-jammys|title=Trey, Mike, Page and Fish Appear Together at the Jammys|date=May 8, 2008|first1=Mike|last1=Greenhaus|first2=Randy|last2=Ray|website=Jambands.com}}</ref>
The 2024 North American tour of ''Annie'' played at the theater from December 4, 2024, through January 5, 2025, with Whoopi Goldberg as Miss Hannigan.<ref>{{cite web |title=New ''Annie'' Tour Arrives in New York City December 4 at the Theater at Madison Square Garden |url=https://playbill.com/article/new-annie-tour-arrives-in-new-york-city-december-4-at-the-theater-at-madison-square-garden |website=Playbill |access-date=December 8, 2024 |date=December 4, 2024}}</ref>
Taiwanese singer Cyndi Wang performed at the theater during her Sugar High World Tour on November 28, 2025. Furthermore, Cyndi Wang is the first Mandopop female singer to perform at The Theater at Madison Square Garden.
It hosted the March 31 episode of WWE's weekly show, NXT.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Thompson|first=Andrew|title=Infosys Theater at MSG Hosting WWE NXT Roadblock On March 31st|url=https://www.fightful.com/wrestling/infosys-theater-at-msg-hosting-wwe-nxt-roadblock-on-march-31st/|work=Fightful|date=February 3, 2026|access-date=February 3, 2026}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=WWE NXT Roadblock|url=https://www.msg.com/events-tickets/wwe-nxt-live-infosys-theater-at-madison-square-garden-march-2026/3B00643AF1CBC323|work=Madison Square Garden|access-date=February 3, 2026}}</ref>
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== {{Commons category|Hulu Theater|The Theater at Madison Square Garden}} *{{official website|https://www.msg.com/the-theater-at-msg}}
{{S-start}} {{Succession box | title = Venues of the<br /> NFL draft | years = 1995–2004 | before = New York Marriott Marquis | after = Jacob K. Javits Convention Center }} {{End}}
{{Midtown South, Manhattan}} {{Madison Square Garden Company}} {{Grammy Award venues}} {{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Theater at Madison Square Garden, The}} Category:1968 establishments in New York City Category:Concert halls in New York City Category:Event venues established in 1968 Category:Music venues completed in 1968 Category:Madison Square Garden Sports Category:Music venues in Manhattan Category:Pennsylvania Plaza Category:Theatres in Manhattan Category:Theatres completed in 1968