The Art of the Theatre Poster at Triton Gallery

(all images: TheHopefulTraveler)

Triton Gallery in New York City has been a regular stop for every visit I have made to the city since 1995. Today as in each visit past I pick up a theatre poster (also known as windowcards) for every show I'll be seeing while in New York and others that I find with interesting artwork or performers. It's also a pleasure to see and appreciate the artwork of the framed posters on display.

The small shop carries a wide selection of unframed posters from current productions to past shows, from hits to the obscure to failures. The shop has a display bin to flip through some of the available titles. The friendly and helpful staff will be happy to assist with any questions and arrange to ship orders home. Posters for current Broadway productions start at about $25 and increase in value based on availability. Whether one poster or several is on your shopping list this is the must-go-to place for all your theatre posters shopping. Framing services are also available.

Poster or windowcard for 'The Book
of Mormon'

Should you wish to display a poster, purchase a lucite plexiglass holder ($27) where you just slide a poster into the frame. I purchased one back in 1995 and has been using it since to display an ever changing selection of posters.

Founded in 1965, Triton promotes itself as the only gallery in New York dedicated solely to theatrical art and posters. The shop has an archive which preserves a windowcard for every show that has one available. These archive items are never sold but Triton offers photographic reprints should you find the poster you want to purchase is no longer available. The reprints are made to order and require seven days to process for shipment.

Popular with theatre fans everywhere, the shop used to occupy a storefront on West 45th Street very near to the Al Hirschfeld Theatre. But the changing economics of Times Square found the shop moving to its present location in 2006.

Triton Gallery is located at 630 9th Avenue (between 44th and 45th Streets) on the 8th floor of the Film Center. Visitors must check in with security. Hours: Mon-Fri 10am-6pm; Sat 12pm-6pm. Visit their online shop at tritongallery.com and search through the alphabetical poster listing for available posters, prices and shipping.