Lunt-Fontanne Theatre, New York
Seating Chart

When it opened in 1910, the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre had a very different namesake: Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre. With a retractable roof for open-air performances, the venue hosted a variety of plays and musicals until it converted to a movie theater in 1932. In 1958, the Lunt-Fontanne was fully refurbished and named after famous acting couple Alfred Lunt and Lynn Fontanne.

Following its refurbishment, the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre retained little of the Globe’s design. With luxurious lounges and a white, gold and red-toned auditorium, the theater is now classically elegant and well-suited to large musicals. It also boasts photographs from its namesakes’ private collection, which visitors can peruse in the lobbies during the intermission.

Notable performances at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre include Lunt and Fontanne’s 1958 appearance in The Visit, followed by hits such as The Sound of Music (1959), A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum (1972) and Hello, Dolly! (1978). More recent shows that have charmed audiences range from Finding Neverland (2015) and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (2017) to The Addams Family (2010) and Ghost: The Musical (2012).

There is a 1,505-seat capacity in the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre, spread across the Orchestra and Front and Rear Mezzanines above. The Orchestra is the largest section, split into Left, Right and Center; the Front Mezzanine is similarly laid out, whilst the Rear Mezzanine has four blocks of seating. An excellent view is afforded from the mid front of the Center Orchestra and the front rows of the Center Front Mezzanine. Across all three sections, views are more partial at the sides, with the cheapest seats in the more distant back rows of the Rear Mezzanine.

Tips

• Step-free access from the street into accessible seating
• Cloakroom is available in winter; bags aren’t accepted
• Bars are on both levels of seating and in the lower lounge
• Restrooms are in the Mezzanine and lower lounge; queues get long during the intermission
• Bag checks are in operation; leave plenty of time to get to your seat

Good value seats

Depending on your budget, there are various options for good value seating. Rows C and D in the Center Front Mezzanine have an elevated view of the stage for less than the premium price, whilst middle rows of the Center Orchestra have a decent view. Rows B and C of the Rear Mezzanine are also a good value option.

Premium seats

The best seats in the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre are across the front rows of the Center Orchestra and Center Front Mezzanine. In particular, rows D to J, Center Orchestra combine good detail with a comprehensive view of the stage, and rows A and B of the Center Front Mezzanine have excellent, detailed overhead views.