The Simon really does not have a lobby. The picture in question is upstairs and leads to the mezzanine. I do not know what you would call it but it would not be a lobby.
Younger Brother, Does anybody have any photos of the Lunt Fontanne interior? Lunt-Fontanne theater lounge on mezzanine level.
Interior is ugly and tacky looking but the exterior is stunning. I wonder what the interior looked like originally? The Nederlander's did an awful job last time they renovated this theater.
"Anything you do, let it it come from you--then it will be new."
Sunday in the Park with George
Robbie, That is not a lobby space for the Simon. That is a walkway behind the orchestra seating where they often place a merchandise stand and a mobile bar for the orchestra level. Before the last renovation (the "before" picture), you would enter the orchestra from house right, behind the last row, and had a clear walkway across the width of the orchestra seating. Before Hairspray opened, the seating in the orchestra was redesigned so that the center orchestra seating continues all the way to the back wall, becoming elevated like stadium style seats behind what was previously the last row. NOW you have to enter the orchestra seating house right and then in order to access the house left side of the orchestra, you have to go thru the walkway pictured above. It is an absolute NIGHTMARE for traffic and directing a crowd.
I didn't read through a lot of the thread, but the Mark Hellinger Theatre (now the Times Square Church) was/is a glorious theatre space and it is a shame that it has that pesky 99-year (I believe) lease that prevents it from becoming a theatre space again.
As for the other theatres, the Belasco, which I did see get a mention is probably one of the most beautiful on Broadway. It has been awhile since I've been in the Palace but I remember it being a lovely theatre.
I'm anxious to hear what happens with the report that Howard Panter from London may be in talks to bring the Hudson theatre and maybe the Times Square theatre back to legit use.