Lena Horne Theatre in New York – History, Seating Chart & Tickets

The Broadway Theatre stands out with its neon sign and elegant design. The beautiful decorations created by a legendary designer make the atmosphere more exciting.

Address, opening, capacity
Seating chart
Directions to the theater
Map, location
Hotels near the thater
History
About Brooks Atkinson
Broadway Musical Discount Tickets – On Sale Now!

Address, opening, capacity of Lena Horne Theatre

Basic Information about the Lena Horne Theatre in NYC

Address:	256 W 47th St, New York, NY 10036（ Map ） Located on 47 Street, between Broadway and 8th Avenue
Opened:	1926
Capacity:	1,109 seats

Seating Chart of Lena Horne Theatre

The Lena Horne Theatre has a seating capacity of 1,109 seats, divided into three main sections: Orchestra (1st level), Front Mezzanine (2nd level), and Rear Mezzanine (2nd level).

*Click to view larger image

Seating Chart of Lena Horne Theatre in NYC

Directions to Lena Horne Theatre

Access to Lena Horne Theatre are most commonly by taking the New York City Subway (MTA).

The area around the theatre becomes very crowded close to showtime, so whether you are arriving by subway or taxi, please allow extra time to reach the venue.

Nearest Subway Station:

Lines, 49 Ststation (About a 5-minute walk)

Lines, 50 Ststation (About a 7-minute walk)

Map, location of Lena Horne Theatre

Here is the map of the Lena Horne Theatre.

Best hotels near the Lena Horne Theatre

Discover the best hotels near the Lena Horne Theatre. Stay within walking distance of Broadway and enjoy easy access to shows, restaurants, and attractions.

The list of recommended hotels near the theater:

History of the Lena Horne Theatre

Opened as the “Mansfield Theatre”

The Mansfield Theatre when it first opened in 1926

The Lena Horne Theatre (formerly the Brooks Atkinson Theatre) first opened in 1926 under the name Mansfield Theatre. The name honored Richard Mansfield, a classical actor known for works like Shakespeare and Jekyll & Hyde, who was also involved in theater management. Built by the Chanin brothers, prominent real estate developers, the venue was designed by Herbert J. Krapp, the architect behind more Broadway theaters than anyone else.

The Chanin brothers were Jewish architects and developers from New York who built numerous Broadway theaters, hotels, and skyscrapers. Many of their buildings have since been recognized as official New York City landmarks, making them central figures in the history of Broadway.

Used as a TV studio for hit quiz shows

The entrance of the Lena Horne Theatre connects directly to the box office

The Great Depression of 1929 heavily impacted Broadway, forcing many theaters to convert into burlesque venues or cinemas. The Mansfield Theatre resisted and continued staging plays; nearly 50 productions between 1933 and 1945, though none became major hits.

In 1945, producer Michael Myerberg purchased the theater. From 1950 to 1960, he leased it to CBS, which used it as a television and news studio. Surprisingly, this period brought success through long-running quiz shows such as “What’s My Line?” and “I’ve Got a Secret.”

Return to musical theater as the Lena Horne Theatre

Front entrance of the Lena Horne Theatre with its 1950s-60s style neon signage and lights

In 1960, the venue was renamed the Lena Horne Theatre and returned to its original purpose as a Broadway playhouse after a decade as a television studio.

In 1967, the Nederlander Organization purchased a partial stake, and after Myerberg’s death in 1974, it acquired full ownership. The company still operates the theater today.

In 2000, EverGreene Architectural Arts restored the interior, reinstalling the theater’s original chandelier that had been removed more than 40 years earlier.

Learn more about the Nederlander Organization >>

About Brooks Atkinson – the former name of this theater

The famous critic who gave the theater its former name

Until 2022, the venue was known as the Brooks Atkinson Theatre, named after Justin Brooks Atkinson, the celebrated critic for The New York Times. Atkinson won a Pulitzer Prize for Correspondence, a Special Tony Award, and an Obie Award, and was the first theater critic ever to have a Broadway theater named after him.

The New York Times itself praised him as “the most influential commentator in the nation,” and his reviews often shaped the fate of Broadway shows.

During World War II, he spent four years in Moscow as a foreign correspondent, a role that earned him the 1947 Pulitzer Prize. In recognition of his influence and achievements, producer Michael Myerberg renamed the theater after him following his death in 1984 at the age of 89.

Atkinson also authored several books, including Broadway Scrapbook (1948) and The Lively Years: 1920-1973 (1973), co-written with caricaturist Al Hirschfeld.

Who was Brooks Atkinson?

Justin Brooks Atkinson was born on November 28, 1894, in Melrose, Massachusetts. As a boy, he dreamed of becoming a journalist, printing his own newspapers at home.

After entering Harvard University, he began writing for the Boston Herald and, upon graduating in 1917, worked at newspapers including the Springfield Daily News and the Boston Evening Transcript. In 1922 he joined the New York Times as an editor in the book review section, and by 1925 he began his career as a theater critic.