Some thoughts on a few of the theaters mentioned above:
The Lunt Fontanne (formerly the Globe ) was totally gutted and rebuilt in the late 1950's. Its powder blue ceiling with cherubs was attractive when it first re-opened in 1958 with THE VISIT starring Alfred Lunt and Lynn Fontanne, appropriately. Its second show was the musical GOLDILOCKS, starring Elaine StrItch and Don Ameche. Although it was a flop, it is very likable and still available on Amazon.com. The legendary Lehman Engel was the pit conductor for that show and prior to rehearsals he discovered that the orchestra pit was woefully too small. Construction workers had to dig out an area partly under the stage to allow for a decent sized pit. An unusual feature of the new Lunt-FOntanne was the dichotomy of it's orchestra section; the first several rows were referred to as "Divan Seats " which were like overstuffed armchairs, costing $9.40 at the time that GOLDILOCKS played there in 1958. The rest of the orchestra section were ordinary seats going for $8.05. That dichotomy has long since vanished, with the entire very long orchestra section going for one price.
The Broadway Theatre was refurbished just prior to the opening of the original production of GYPSY. An unusual feature were very tall faux "windows" on both sides of the orchestra seating section. When audiences entered the theatre, these "windows" had their drapes drawn back and the "windows" were lit. As the lights dimmed just prior to the overture, the "window" lights went off and the drapes closed! Just when this weird arrangement was scuttled I don't remember.
Smaxie, good for you for "giving it to them" in your description of the Marquis theatre. As so many of you know, the beautiful Helen Hayes Theatre on 46th Street and the Morosco Theatre on 45th Street were demolished in order to build the gigantic Marriott Marquis Hotel. The Marquis Theatre was included inside the hotel to supposedly placate the legions of actors and theatergoers who were outraged by this whole debacle. I have a friend who is an actor and he refuses to see any production that plays the Marquis Theatre. But now giving landmark status to the majority of Broadway theaters saves them from the fate of the Helen Hayes and the Morosco.
Theatres
"Madam Rose...and her daughter...Gypsy!"
