Location: New York, New York
Address: 149 W. 45th St.
Capacity: approx 940
Opened: 1903
Nestled on 45th Street between 6th and 7th Avenues, the Lyceum Theatre holds the prestigious distinction of being the oldest continually operating legitimate theatre on Broadway. The old playhouse was designed by architects Herts and Tallant in 1903 with funding from producer Daniel Frohman. The venue is a grand exposition of the Beaux-Arts style both inside and out, with a dazzling limestone facade accented with large Corinthian columns. In the lobby area, the building calls to mind old world luxury with two large grand staircases that lead up to the mezzanine area. The venue could seat 922 people and when the building first opened, it featured groundbreaking cooling system that filtered air over ice chambers and steam coils to keep the auditorium cool during the summer. In 1940, it was purchased by a group of writers and producers, including George S. Kaufman and Moss Hart. However, in 1950, the Shuberts purchased the theatre and have kept it running ever since.
The Lyceum opened its doors in 1903 with the play The Proud Prince, written by Justin Huntly McCarthy. While the production featured the popular actor E.H. Sothern, it only survived 35 performances before getting the axe. With the theatre's compact size and impressive projection, it is ideal for dramas and comedies and gives audiences a sense of immersion that is rare in playhouses from the era.
The Roaring Twenties were a great time for the Lyceum, as producer David Belasco would provide a number of stellar hits such as The Gold Diggers and The Grand Duke. It wasn't until the 1940s that the Lyceum, under new ownership, would manage to churn out a long string of hits. The Garson Kanin comedy, Born Yesterday, would premiere in 1946 and would go on to become the venue's longest-running production. The show ran for a total of 1,642 performances and helped launch the career of star Judy Holliday. The playhouse has also been home to a number of one-person shows in comedy and drama, such as Whoopi Goldberg, Julia Sweeney and Ian McKellan. The theatre hosted Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award-winning drama I Am My Own Wife, which received rave reviews by Broadway theatre critics.
The Lyceum Theatre continues to be one of the most beautiful playhouses in Manhattan and audiences all over the country are drawn to its cozy setting and storied history.
Lyceum Theatre Ticket Information:
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