Inside the TheatreStep Inside Broadway’s Lunt-Fontanne TheatreInside the Theatre, the photo feature series that documents Broadway’s historic playhouses, continues with the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre.
By
Hannah Vine, Marc J. Franklin
August 08, 2018
Playbill’s photo series Inside the Theatre captures the dazzling architecture and unseen details of the world’s most famous theatres, taking you inside all 41 of the Broadway houses.
The Lunt-Fontanne opened in 1910 as the Globe Theatre, named after Shakespeare’s famed theatre in England. Designed by Carrere and Hastings for producer Charles B. Dillingham, the theatre remained dark during much of the Depression and later became a movie theatre. It was fully refurbished and returned to legitimate use in 1958 as the Lunt-Fontanne, named for married actors Alfred Lunt and Lynn Fontanne.
Currently playing at the theatre is Summer: The Donna Summer Musical, which opened April 23, 2018. The Broadway musical tells the story of the late Donna Summer featuring songs from her music catalog. With three different actors playing Donna, Summer depicts her childhood, her rise to fame, and the heartache she experienced throughout her life.
Flip through photos from inside the theatre below:
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Step Inside Broadway’s Lunt-Fontanne Theatre
Step Inside Broadway’s Lunt-Fontanne Theatre
Inside the Theatre, the photo feature series that documents Broadway’s historic playhouses, continues with the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre.
20 PHOTOS
Lunt-Fontanne Theatre marquee
Lunt-Fontanne Theatre box office
Portraits of Alfred Lunt and Lynn Fontanne
Originally named the Globe after Shakespeare’s theatre in England, the theatre opened on January 10, 1910, built by producer Charles B. Dillingham.
Marc J. Franklin
The theatre was designed by famed architects Carrère and Hastings, and featured a large stage, a compact auditorium, Italian Renaissance decor with draperies of Rose du Barry and walls of old gold, blue, and ivory white. According to the New York Dramatic Mirror, the theatre was a “ complete novelty in American theatrical design.”
For its debut, Dillingham chose Old Town, a lavish musical for two of that era’s most popular musical-comedy stars, Dave Montgomery and Fred Stone, which was greeted with rave reviews.
Lunt-Fontanne Theatre auditorium
Marc J. Franklin
Lunt-Fontanne Theatre auditorium
In 1957, Roger Stevens and Robert W. Dowling of the City Investing Company purchased and restored the theatre. Dowling chose to redo the theatre in an elegant 18th-century style. A new stage was built, the second balcony removed, and a cantilevered mezzanine added. Blue damask walls, crystal chandeliers, and a hundred-foot ceiling mural depicting the theatrical muses added to the house’s new opulence.
In addition to a restored design, the theatre was renamed the Lunt-Fontanne in honor of America’s foremost husband/wife acting couple, Alfred Lunt and Lynn Fontanne.
On May 5, 1958, the theatre re-opened with The Visit, a stark, harrowing drama of revenge by Friedrich Duerrenmatt.
Throughout its history, the theatre ushered in the Broadway debut of iconic shows such as The Sound of Music and Titanic.
In addition, the theatre saw performances from theatre legends including Carol Channing, Richard Burton, and Elizabeth Taylor.
Lunt-Fontanne Theatre lobby
Lunt-Fontanne Theatre lobby
Lunt-Fontanne Theatre lobby
Lunt-Fontanne Theatre lobby
Photos of the theatre's history line the lower lounge.
Portrait of Alfred Lunt and Lynn Fontanne
Summer: The Donna Summer Musical at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre
While audiences wait for Company to resume performances, revisit the Jacobs Theatre and get a closer look at the details you might miss before the show—plus a deep dive into the theatre's history.
While theatres remain dark, revisit some of your favorites with Inside the Theatre, and get a closer look at the details you might miss before the show—plus a deep dive into the theatre's history.
While theatres remain dark, revisit some of your favorites with Inside the Theatre, and get a closer look at the details you might miss before the show—plus a deep dive into the theatre's history.
While theatres remain dark, revisit some of your favorites with Inside the Theatre, and get a closer look at the details you might miss before the show.
While theatres remain dark, revisit some of your favorites with Inside the Theatre, and get a closer look at the details you might miss before the show.
While theatres remain dark, revisit some of your favorites with Inside the Theatre, and get a closer look at the details you might miss before the show.
