The Samuel J. Friedman Theatre originally opened on Dec. 7, 1925 as the Biltmore Theatre. The theatre was designed by Herbert J. Krapp for impresario Irwin Chanin, Its inaugural production was Easy Come Easy Go. 

From 1952 to 1962, the theatre was used by CBS for television and radio broadcasting purposes, but in 1963 it reopened as a traditional theatre with Neil Simon's Barefoot in the Park.

In 1987, the theatre closed, following an arson attack and sat vacant for 14 years. From 2001, the Manhattan Theatre Club began operating at the venue, and reopened the performance space in 2003 after renovation. MTC renamed it the Samuel J. Friedman Theatre on Sept. 4, 2008, to honor the Broadway publicist.