Lunt-Fontanne remodeling?

[BrianIdol]

Posted: 7/30/07 at 8:20pm

Anybody know if they plan on "beautifying" the Lunt-Fontanne a bit before Little Mermaid comes in?? This has gotta be the ugliest b'way theatre I've ever been in. It would seem that it's not quite up to Disney's standards. I'd love any info:)

[Testing1232]

Posted: 7/30/07 at 8:22pm

I spoke with one of the ushers last night, and she said that no "major" work was planned.

[bwaylvsong]

Posted: 7/30/07 at 8:57pm

Are you kidding? I think it's gorgeous!

[Lizzya9]

Posted: 7/30/07 at 9:03pm

same here! It's the only Broadway theater I've been in, but if that's ugly I would like to see some others. It made me teary-eyed when I walked in, I think it's absolutely amazing!

[jordangirl]

Posted: 7/30/07 at 9:06pm

I think it's gorgeous too! Especially compared to some others.

I figured if they did anything, they'd "underwater grotto-ify" if for The Little Mermaid.

[everythingtaboo]

Posted: 7/30/07 at 9:06pm

It's one of the few older theatres where you can sit all the way in the back of the orchestra and still get a nice view of the stage - far, but really not missing anything. The inside could use some refreshment if it's going to receive another long run, and it certainly has time to get that in.

The only thing I can think of is that the bar area in the back is supposed to be minimized or taken completely out, as per a NYT article a couple of months ago that had the bar area belonging to the to-be-built building.

[GlindatheGood22]

Posted: 7/30/07 at 9:09pm

I've seen BATB but can't really remember what the theatre was like. However, they remodeled the New Amsterdam, and that's the second most beautiful theatre I've seen, after the August Wilson. What can I say? I like orange.

[Smaxie]

Posted: 7/30/07 at 9:12pm

Well, the Lunt used to look like this, when it opened as the Globe. The boxes and the second balcony must have gotten wiped out in the theatre's renovation in the 1950s.

In the early '90s, the house was looking really ragged. I remember sitting in the mezzanine for Ain't Broadway Grand, looking at the mural on the ceiling (of flying cherubs) practically drooping down over my head. Around the time of Best Little Whorehouse Goes Public, the theatre was repainted from a powder blue, to an electric blue that was eye-piercing. It stayed that way up until Beauty made the move, when the color scheme became a more muted blue, tan and gold. It currently looks the best it has ever looked in my theatregoing there, though I would love if they would paint over the faux-mirrors on the orchestra level before Mermaid arrives.

[jordangirl]

Posted: 7/30/07 at 9:19pm

I figured those faux mirrors were mood stuff for Beauty, not having seen anything else in that theatre. If so, I'd definitely think they'd do something else for Mermaid. Faux stone or something.

[Dollypop]

Posted: 7/30/07 at 9:21pm

I understand they have to make the theater water proof when they go under the sea with MERMAID.

[morosco]

Posted: 7/30/07 at 10:52pm

Wandering around the Lunt Fontanne

[morosco]

Posted: 7/30/07 at 11:06pm

It underwent extensive restoration from 1997-1999.

[BrianIdol]

Posted: 7/30/07 at 11:57pm

yeah i think that video just proved my point. Those walls panels are hideous and there just isn't anything on the ceilings at all.

[BroadwayEnthusiast2]

Posted: 7/31/07 at 12:01am

It looks horribly ugly. I hate the black seats, the paneling, and the ceiling.

[CurtainPullDowner]

Posted: 7/31/07 at 1:07am

LITTLE MERMAID is already way over budget, they will be lucky if they get new carpet backstage.
But DISNEY will probably spend some of their fortune to do something like the new Ice Machines at the RODGERS.

[Smaxie]

Posted: 7/31/07 at 5:16am

>I hate the black seats<

The seats are blue.

[Justin D]

Posted: 7/31/07 at 8:32am

I think it's hideous, yes it may have good sight lines, but it is totally ugly compared to MOST other broadway theatres. Im also concerned about transfering a set from an Opera House to a broadway theatre, but i am sure the disigners are taking that into account, Maybe (depending on the structure of the theatre) they may take off some of the sides on the prescenium to make the opening a bit wider. It happens, in london they did that with the Lyceum for Superstar, and when Mamma Mia went into the winter garden, they removed some of the boxes (or rather didnt replace them after cats). Its just a really ugly theatre, although the facade is one of the nicest in town.

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 7/31/07 at 8:42am

The only theater currently undergoing remodeling is the Longacre (or is it the Lyceum...the one across from the Kerr). They're supposedly adding a pit.

[songanddanceman2]

Posted: 7/31/07 at 8:47am

I have to say that they are only a few broadway theatres i think are beautiful to look at at the Lunt -fontanne is not one of them.I think it was Titanic i watched there.

[Sondheim_Geek]

Posted: 7/31/07 at 8:49am

I don't think it's ugly, per say, it's just that it isn't the most stunning of theatres, when you compare it to others.

A little bit of paint and some minot work could fix it up nicely, but I don't think it needs anything MAJOR.

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 7/31/07 at 8:50am

Per everyone's favorite Disney blogger, Jim Hill, the theater just getting "a thorough cleaning and some much needed maintenance."

[D2]

Posted: 7/31/07 at 9:14am

"It underwent extensive restoration from 1997-1999."

While TITANIC was running? Before and after the run, perhaps, but not during.

[My Oh My]

Posted: 7/31/07 at 9:35am

It was hideously BLUE when I saw Titanic there in 1997.

[Tom148502]

Posted: 7/31/07 at 9:58am

It was a beautiful blue when I saw the Lunts there in THE VISIT. I'd be concerned about the size of the stage for any really elaborate musical. I had occasion to go backstage and onstage a couple of times during the run of TITANIC. I was amazed at how little space there is on and off stage and, at least as of the time of TITANIC, the raking of the stage was dangerous.

[morosco]

Posted: 7/31/07 at 10:24am

""It underwent extensive restoration from 1997-1999."

While TITANIC was running? Before and after the run, perhaps, but not during."

Oh yeah. You're right. There's a site named Cinema Treasures that says 1997-1999 but that wouldn't make sense. TITANIUM closed in March of 99 and BEAUTY opened in Nov of 99. That doesn't leave much time for "extensive renovation".