Built by famed impresario Daniel Frohman, the theatre opened on November 2, 1903, as the New Lyceum to distinguish it from the old Lyceum, which he formerly owned on Fourth Avenue.
Among Broadway’s smallest and oldest theatres, the Lyceum Theatre has found its place as a home for small-cast dramas, comedies, and musicals.
Created by theatre architects Herts and Tallant, the theatre was designed lavishly, with a gray limestone façade with roman columns, marble staircases, and a wide auditorium without obstructed views.
Lyceum's auditorium
The theatre opened with a production of The Proud Prince, starring the distinguished American actor E. H. Sothern.
Early in its operation, the theatre became known for producing star vehicles, with its stage seeing performances by Billie Burke, Ethel Barrymore, Henry Miller Jr., and more.
Due to the Great Depression, the theatre was in danger of being demolished but a group of theatre titans, including George S. Kaufman and Moss Hart, banded together to purchase the theatre in 1939. The Kaufman/Hart group owned and operated the theatre until it was sold to the Shubert Organization in 1945.
Throughout its history, the Lyceum has been the home of a wide range of shows including revivals of classics such as The Cherry Orchard, dramas such as A Hatful of Rain, musicals such as [title of show], and more.
In addition, the Lyceum stage has seen performances by iconic performers including Whoopi Goldberg, Matthew Broderick, and Olympia Dukakis.
Lyceum auditorium
Lyceum auditorium
Lyceum auditorium
Lyceum auditorium
Lyceum auditorium
Lyceum lounge
In addition to the theatre, Daniel Frohman built elegant quarters for himself above the auditorium, which currently house the Shubert Archives.
Frohman's apartment contained a concealed window that permitted him to supervise rehearsals from above. It can be seen from the orchestra by looking into the highest section of the ceiling vault above the topmost balcony on the side nearest the back of the house.
Shubert Archives at the Lyceum Archives
The Play That Goes Wrong at the Lyceum Theatre
Marc J. Franklin
