5th Avenue Theatre facts for kids
5th Avenue Theatre marquee, Holiday 2016
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| Address | 1308 5th Avenue Seattle, Washington 98101 |
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| Coordinates | 47°36′33″N 122°20′02″W / 47.6092°N 122.3340°W |
| Owner | University of Washington |
| Operator | 5th Avenue Theatre Association |
| Capacity | 2,130 |
| Construction | |
| Built | 1925 |
| Opened | September 24, 1926 |
| Architect | R.C. Reamer |
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Skinner Building / Fifth Avenue Theater
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| Area | 1 acre (0.40 ha) |
| Architectural style | Late 19th and 20th century revivals, Italian Renaissance |
| NRHP reference No. | 78002756 |
| Added to NRHP | November 28, 1978 |
The 5th Avenue Theatre is a famous landmark theatre in downtown Seattle, Washington. It's inside the Skinner Building. Since opening in 1926, it has shown many plays and movies.
The University of Washington owns the building and land. The theatre is run by the 5th Avenue Theatre Association, a non-profit group. They bring in big Broadway shows and create new ones.
This theatre has 2,130 seats. It's home to the 5th Avenue Musical Theatre Company. Over 600 people work here, including actors, musicians, and stage crew. This makes it the biggest theatre employer in the Puget Sound area. The theatre company gets money from donations, government help, and ticket sales.
Each year, the 5th Avenue Theatre puts on six to seven shows. These include classic musicals and new shows that might go to Broadway. The theatre is known as a "testing ground" for new musicals. Famous shows like Hairspray and Jekyll & Hyde started here before going to Broadway. The theatre also has special events and programs for students and adults.
Contents
Amazing Architecture: A Chinese Palace in Seattle
The 5th Avenue Theatre is part of the Skinner Building. This historic office building has shops on the ground floor. The theatre's entrance faces 5th Avenue. Inside, you'll find a grand entry hall and a large auditorium. It used to have a tea room on the mezzanine level.
The theatre's design was inspired by famous buildings in Beijing, China. Artist Gustav Liljestrom created the look after visiting China. He also used ideas from a book about Chinese architecture.
Unique Chinese Design Inside
The theatre's fancy Chinese style is very different from the outside of the Skinner Building. You only get a hint of the inside design when you enter under the marquee. The ceiling here has plaster decorations that look like wooden brackets and beams. They are painted in many colors with dragons and flower patterns. Lights are hidden behind carved cloud shapes, making a soft glow.
The original ticket booth was in the middle of the entry. It was moved to the side in 1979. Two Imperial guardian lions (often called foo dogs) were once outside. They were moved inside during the 1979 renovation.
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The theatre's inside looks like an "excellent imitation of Chinese wooden temple construction." The lobby has tall, red columns with painted plaster. The roof looks like timber, with decorated beams and a bamboo canopy, all made from plaster. Two male guardian lions stand by the stairs to the balcony. Many original decorations and light fixtures are still there.
The Grand Dragon Ceiling
The main feature of the 2,130-seat auditorium is a huge eight-sided ceiling decoration called a caisson. From it, a sculpted five-toed Imperial Chinese dragon seems to spring out. A large glass chandelier hangs from the dragon's mouth. This represents a Chinese symbol of a dragon spitting flaming pearls. Some say this caisson is twice the size of the one in the Hall of Supreme Harmony in China's Forbidden City.
The opening night program described it beautifully:
... Its most imposing feature is the great dome...its symbolic themes borrowed from Chinese legends, its motifs from Chinese poetry. Coiled within an azure sphere and surrounded by glowing hues of cloud red, emblematic of calamity and welfare; blue of rain; green symbolic of plaque; black of flood; and gold of prosperity—is the Great Dragon, guardian genius of the place, his presence shadowed and multiplied in varying forms throughout the structure. On the huge beams surrounding and supporting the dome are five-clawed dragons—the Emperor's emblem—spitting fire in pursuit of the Jewel, rendered in the shape of a disc emitting effulgent rays, and symbolic of Omnipotence.
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The dragon motif is repeated throughout the theatre. The Imperial dragon is joined by the Chinese phoenix, a symbol of the Empress. You can see the phoenix in the grills above false balconies. Orange blossoms, chrysanthemums, and lotus flowers also decorate the theatre. Even the proscenium arch and safety curtain have Chinese designs.
When it first opened, the 5th Avenue Theatre also had cool technical features. The orchestra pit could move up and down. The ventilation system had thermostat controls and "washed" the air before sending it into the theatre.
Why the Theatre is Special
The 5th Avenue Theatre opened before Grauman's Chinese Theater in Hollywood. It's been called the "largest and most authentic example of traditional Chinese timber architecture and decoration outside of Asia." The theatre was designed by Robert Reamer, who also designed the famous Old Faithful Inn in Yellowstone National Park. The Skinner Building, which includes the theatre, was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1978.
History of the 5th Avenue Theatre
Building the Dream Theatre
In the 1920s, Harry C. Arthur, a theatre company president, believed Seattle was important for movies. He wanted to expand his theatre business there. C. D. Stimson, a key investor, also wanted a theatre district in Seattle. The planned Skinner Building, with Arthur's theatre, would complete Stimson's vision.
Robert Reamer designed the building and theatre. He worked with Joseph Skoog and Gustav Liljestrom. Construction began in October 1925. It took 11 months and cost $1.5 million to build.
Grand Opening Celebration
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The theatre opened on September 24, 1926. The first show included a silent film called Young April and live vaudeville acts. Oliver Wallace, a popular local musician, played the organ.
Opening night was a huge party outside the theatre too. Several blocks of downtown Seattle were closed to traffic. Thousands of people came, drawn by free rides and the excitement. The Seattle Times reported that it was one of the busiest nights in Seattle's history.
A street carnival took place outside. Spotlights lit up the sky, and bright Klieg lights shone on the streets. Flares were shot from nearby rooftops. Dance bands played music, and people sang along to words projected on giant screens. An estimated 50,000 to 100,000 people joined the fun.
Decline and Amazing Comeback
After its grand opening, the theatre showed vaudeville and movies. But in the 1970s, with a tough economy and the rise of television, fewer people came. The theatre had to close in 1978. People suggested turning it into a Chinese restaurant, a movie complex, or even offices. Seattle could not protect it as a landmark because the land belonged to the state.
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In 1979, 43 business leaders formed the 5th Avenue Theatre Association. They raised $2.6 million to save the theatre. Architect Richard McCann led the restoration.
Some changes were made during the renovation. The tall vertical marquee sign was removed. The orchestra pit and seating were rebuilt. Dressing rooms were moved, and technical systems were updated. However, the original furniture, decorations, and signs were kept. Even the paint was carefully restored. The renovation made it perfect for live shows again.
On June 16, 1980, the theatre reopened. Actress Helen Hayes kissed the stage and called the 5th "a national treasure." The first touring Broadway musical, Annie, opened on July 3. It was sold out for 10 weeks. The 5th Avenue Theatre continues to do well with help from many generous people.
Recent History and Updates
Since the renovation, the 5th Avenue Theatre has become a top theatre in Seattle. In 1989, The 5th Avenue Musical Theatre Company was created. This non-profit group produces musicals locally.
On February 28, 2001, the Nisqually earthquake shook the theatre. Actors were rehearsing 1776 at the time. The theatre had only minor damage. Repairs included fixing ceiling supports and plaster. Workers had to build scaffolding eight stories high to reach the highest parts of the ceiling. This was the first time those areas had been reached in 75 years.
In November 2009, a new vertical marquee was installed. It looks similar to the original sign from 1926. This new sign uses energy-saving LED lights and has a spinning "5th" sign at the top.
The 5th Avenue Musical Theatre Company
How the Company Started
From 1980 to 1985, the 5th Avenue Theatre mostly hosted touring Broadway shows. But during an economic slowdown from 1985 to 1989, there weren't enough touring shows. Many theatres across the country were empty. The 5th Avenue Theatre stayed open with fewer staff and was used for community events.
This situation led the theatre to do more than just host shows. In 1989, the 5th Avenue Theatre created its own company, The 5th Avenue Musical Theatre Company. This company produces musicals in Seattle. Now, the 5th's yearly season includes 6 to 7 shows. These are national touring musicals, classic musicals produced locally, and new shows aiming for Broadway. The 5th is one of the biggest musical theatre companies in the U.S.
The musical company employs over 600 people. This makes the 5th the largest theatre employer in the Puget Sound region. The company is a non-profit, supported by donations and ticket sales.
Broadway "Testing Ground" for New Musicals
Since 1989, the 5th Avenue Theatre has become a "testing ground" for new musicals. These shows try out in Seattle before going to Broadway. Since 2001, the 5th has premiered 17 new works. Nine of these have later opened on Broadway.
We've become a very sought-after partner for developing Broadway musicals.
Some famous musicals that started at the 5th Avenue Theatre before Broadway include:
- Jekyll & Hyde in 1995 (nominated for 4 Tony Awards).
- Hairspray in 2002 (won 8 Tony Awards). The Hairspray movie even premiered at the 5th in 2007.
- The Wedding Singer in 2006 (nominated for 4 Tony Awards).
- Shrek the Musical and Memphis in 2008–2009. Both won Tony awards, with Memphis winning Best Musical in 2010.
- Catch Me If You Can in 2009–2010.
- A Christmas Story: The Musical and Aladdin (based on the Disney film).
- First Date in 2011–2012.
Not all shows that start here go to Broadway. Princesses (2005) and Lone Star Love (2007) were planned for Broadway but didn't make it.
Community Programs
The theatre also offers many education and outreach programs. These programs reach over 61,000 students and adults each year. One example is the 5th Avenue High School Musical Theatre Awards. This event honors student actors and stage crew from high schools in Washington state. It's like a mini-Tony Awards ceremony. Colleges also use it to find talented students for their drama programs.
See also
In Spanish: 5th Avenue Theatre para niños
- Paramount Theater, Seattle's other theater producing Broadway Musicals
- Fox Theater (Spokane, Washington)
