Hanna Theatre

A Glimpse at History: The Hanna Theatre

Originally seating 1,397 for legitimate theater, the Hanna Theatre opened March 28, 1921, and would go on to host such stage and film luminaries as Al Jolson, Katherine Hepburn, Henry Fonda, Ethel Barrymore, Ginger Rogers, Helen Hayes, Mary Martin and Yul Brynner. PlayhouseSquare assumed management of the Hanna in August 1999 following its purchase of the Hanna Office Building, which houses the venue. In 2008, the Hanna underwent a renovation to add a thrust stage, re-work its seating to 550 and become the main performance base for PlayhouseSquare’s long-time constituent, Great Lakes Theater.