Lyceum Theatre (New York)
Lyceum Theatre, located just off the Strand on Wellington Street, dates back to 1765. Over the years, the venue has served many purposes, including hosting a circus, a chapel, an exhibition by Madame Tussauds, and many more. It even served as an English Opera House for a few years. Ever since 1999, it has been home to the world-renowned musical The Lion King. The Lyceum Theatre seating plan will help you find the best seats in the theater.
About Lyceum Theatre
- Total seating capacity: With 950 seats, this is a relatively smaller venue on Broadway.
- Orchestra: The largest and most accessible section in the house, the Center Orchestra is where you want to be for the best views.
- Mezzanine: Elevated and raked, this section offers a more comprehensive view of the stage, making it suitable for larger productions. It is also a great option if you're looking for more value for your money.
- Balcony: This is an elevated section with an extremely steep rake and limited space, making it less popular among audiences, but it generally offers the best rates across most shows.
Lyceum Theatre, New York seating chart >
As Broadway's oldest continually operating legitimate theatre, the Lyceum has played host to as much theatrical goodness as it has witnessed the changing landscape of New York City. Built by producer-manager David Frohman in 1903 - the second of its name that he opened - it was later purchased by a conglomerate of producers including George S. Kaufman and Moss Hart in 1940 and acquired by the Shuberts in 1950. In 1974 the theater's facade was designated a New York City landmark, with designations for the lobby and auditorium interiors following in 1987.
The theater's opening was an unfortunate stumble, with delays leading to its first play, The Proud Prince, being cut short. But today, the Lyceum remains a major player on Broadway, hosting a wide range of productions, from new plays and musicals to acclaimed revivals, including the upcoming Oh, Mary!
- Classic design: The Lyceum was designed by architects Herts & Tallant in the Beaux-Arts style.
- Landmark facade: The theater boasts a handsome limestone facade with six towering Corinthian columns and plenty or ornate features that warrant its landmark status.
- Interior highlights: The grand lobby is adorned with murals by James Wall Finn, celebrating 18th-century theatrical giants Sarah Siddons and David Garrick.
- Grand auditorium: The Lyceum was one of the first theaters to use a system of cantilevered balconies, eliminating the need for support columns and providing a clear view for every seat, despite its large capacity, offering a sense of intimacy uncommon in larger Broadway houses.
- Quirky features: Keen-eyed theatre buffs might notice a peculiar peephole in the former apartment of producer Daniel Frohman that was supposedly used to discreetly check on his actress wife's stage presence.
- Hamlet (1969)
- Macbeth (2008)
- A View from the Bridge (2015)
- The Play That Goes Wrong (2017)
- A Christmas Carol (2019)
- A Strange Loop (2022)
Know before you go
- Address: 149 W 45th St, New York, NY 10036, United States
- Subway: The closest station is Times Square-42nd Street which services lines 1, 2, and 3. The 47-50 Streets-Rockefeller Center station is also within walking distance and covers lines B, D, F, and M.
- Bus: The nearest stop is 6th Avenue and West 45th Street, which services lines QM1, QM5, and QM6.
- Parking: There are several paid parking garages nearby, including multiple Icon Parking lots (West 43rd Street and 6th Avenue), that are within walking distance of the theater.
- Cloakroom: You may check bags, coats, and other belongings here but note that this venue does not accept strollers or furs in the cloakroom.
- Payphone: There are two phones located on the lower and mezzanine levels.
- Water fountain: Easy to access and located in the ticket lobby.
- Wheelchair accessibility: The theater is partially accessible with a step-free entrance from the sidewalk, but no escalators or elevators inside. All staircases are equipped with handrails.
- Designated seating: The Orchestra has designated accessible seating and is entirely step-free. The other levels are not quite as accessible, with the Balcony being particularly difficult for wheelchair users to access.
- Restroom: There is a wheelchair-accessible unisex restroom on the main level.
- Hearing assistance: Assisted listening devices and loop technology are available without reservation but require a driver's license or other ID as a deposit.
- Arrive early: We recommend reaching the theater at least 30 minutes before your show to avoid delays entering.
- Dress code: The theater has no dress code and encourages you to dress comfortably, provided it is appropriate for the occasion. If you're unsure, smart casuals are a great choice.
- Age restrictions: Children under 4 are not allowed at this theater. Please check the age rating of each show while booking.
- Prohibited items: Sharp objects or weapons of any kind, large recording equipment, noisemaking or flashing devices, and large luggage or items that won't fit in the cloakroom are not allowed at this venue. All baggage will be subject to security screening.
- The Red Flame: Classic style diner serving everything from early morning omelets to late evening meals.
- Directions to The Red Flame
- Carmine's: Family restaurant serving Southern Italian cuisine including pasta, pizza, seafood, and more in larger than standard portion sizes.
- Directions to Carmine's
- LOS TACOS No 1: Simple standing table eatery serving Mexican street-style tacos and cocktails.
- Directions to LOS TACOS No 1
- Blake & Todd: Counter-serve deli serving pasta, pizza, sandwiches, salads, and refreshments.
- Directions to Blake & Todd
- Mitr Thai: Extremely popular Thai restaurant serving traditional dishes like varieties of fried rice, tom yum, Pad Thai, and more.
- Directions to Mitr Thai
Frequently asked questions about Lyceum Theatre
Located at 149 W 45th St, New York, NY 10036, United States, you can reach the theater easily by bus or subway.
Vaudeville theater owner and agent Martin Beck funded the construction of the Lyceum Theatre and when it opened in 1913, it was considered by many to be a flagship of vaudeville impresarios Benjamin Franklin Keith and Edward Franklin Albee II's organization. It is now one of nine venues on Broadway operated by the Nederlander Organization and is co-owned by Jimmy Nederlander and Broadway producer Stewart Lane.
The theater has a step-free entrance and a fully accessible and step-free Orchestra section with designated seating for wheelchair users. The other sections are not quite as accessible; they are harder to reach and sit on steep rakes that can only be navigated using stairs.
Prices will vary depending on the show, dates, and seats selected. Seats in the Orchestra, particularly further forward and toward the Center tend to go for premium rates, while rear seats and seats in the Mezzanine and Balcony often cost lesser.
The Lyceum Theatre has a capacity of over 900 seats split across three sections. The Orchestra offers great visibility and clearer views of the performances, particularly from rows F-K. The Mezzanine seats give you a wider view of the stage, particularly useful for larger productions, though the best seats in this section are the front row ones. The Balcony seats are the most affordable, and despite the steep rake, height, and distance from the stage, the seats in Rows A and B tend to offer decent views.
The theater sits nestled within a bustling district that offers something for everyone: from tourist attractions like Madame Tussaud's Wax Museum to peaceful escapes like parks, gardens, and a river, including Madison Square Garden and Central Park, and from historic and artistic pursuits like museums and landmark towers, like the Rockefeller and the Empire State Building, to experience centers like escape rooms and off-beat alleyway finds. When you head to the Broadway District, you know you're in for a good time, whichever way you turn.
