Lunt-Fontanne Theatre Tours

The Lunt-Fontanne Theatre has a distinguished history in New York’s theater scene. Opening in 1910, it was originally named the Globe, after Shakespeare’s theater in England. Following a stint as a movie house, it reopened under its new name in 1958 and has since hosted such productions as Hello, Dolly! and Titanic.

The Basics
With a 1,509-person capacity, the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre is known for hosting some of the most popular musicals in town, so be sure to book your tickets in advance. The theater occupies a beaux-arts-style building with period details such as glass chandeliers and frescoed walls. Seats are tight but steeply tiered, which means that even from the back, views are generally unobstructed. The Lunt-Fontanne is a NYC Designated Manhattan Landmark and is on the National Register of Historic Places.

Things to Know Before You Go

• The Lunt-Fontanne Theatre is a must-visit for lovers of the theatrical arts.
• The theater has accessible seating in the orchestra section for visitors with disabilities.
• Full-service bars are located in the theater’s lower lounge, on the main level, and on the mezzanine level.
• Outside food and drink is prohibited.

How to Get There
Located just off Times Square in the heart of Midtown Manhattan, the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre is easy to reach from anywhere in the city. Subway riders can take the C or E train to 50th Street or the N or R to 49th Street. Both stations are less than a 5-minute walk away.

When to Get There
Performances typically take place Tuesday through Sunday evenings, with additional matinees on Wednesday and Saturday afternoons; exact times vary by production. The box office is open Monday to Saturday from midmorning until evening.

Photographic History
In the lobby, theatergoers can view a selection of photographs from the private collection of America’s foremost husband-and-wife acting couple, Alfred Lunt and Lynn Fontanne, after whom the theater was renamed. Long associated with Noël Coward and prominent from the 1920s to the 1950s, the couple starred in the new iteration of the theater’s first production, The Visit.