Lena Horne Theatre New York
Lena Horne Theatre Tickets
About the Lena Horne Theatre
The Lena Horne Theatre, originally the Mansfield Theatre, was built in 1926 by the Chanin Brothers. Between 1945 and 1960, it was leased to CBS as a television studio. When it returned to operating as a theater in 1960, it was renamed after the prolific New York Times drama critic, Brooks Atkinson. In 2022, it was renamed for actress and civil rights activist Lena Horne. It the first Broadway theater to be named after a Black woman and one of three named after a Black artist - alongside the August Wilson Theatre and James Earl Jones Theatre.
The Lena Horne Theatre was originally designed by Herbert J. Krapp using Spanish influences. From the outside, small but unique details frame the windows and twisting columns beneath. Inside, the auditorium feels bright thanks to gold and white paint and elaborate murals above the stage. The theater’s original chandelier was also restored to its former glory during renovations in 2000.
Since opening, the Lena Horne Theatre has seen stars including Glenn Close, Derek Jacobi and Richard Dreyfuss tread the boards. Notable productions over the years include Neil Simon’s Come Blow Your Horn (1961), the Tony Award-winning Noises Off (1983) and Sara Bareilles’ hit musical, Waitress (2016-present).
Know Before You Go
• Children under four are not permitted into the theater
• Step-free access is available from the street to Orchestra seats
• Accessible seating is located in the Orchestra and Front Mezzanine
• There is no cloakroom; if bags are too big, they won’t be allowed into the theater
• All three floors are served by one bar in the Mezzanine, which gets very busy
Map and Address
256 West 47th Street, New York, NY 10036