Byham Theater facts for kids
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The Fulton Theater, The Gayety Theater
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| Address | 101 Sixth Street Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania  United States |
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| Owner | Pittsburgh Cultural Trust |
| Capacity | 1,300 |
| Current use | Performing arts center |
| Construction | |
| Opened | Halloween night, 1904 |
| Rebuilt | 1990 |
| Designated: | 2002 |
The Byham Theater is a famous building in Downtown Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States. It is located at 101 Sixth Street in an area called the Cultural District. This theater was first built in 1903 and was known as The Gayety Theater. It used to be a place where people watched vaudeville shows. Vaudeville was a popular type of entertainment with many different acts, like singers, dancers, comedians, and magicians. The theater was later updated and reopened in 1990 as The Byham Theater.
History of the Byham Theater
The theater first opened on Halloween night in 1904. When it was called The Gayety Theater, it hosted many famous stars. These included Ethel Barrymore, Gertrude Lawrence, and Helen Hayes. They performed in plays and vaudeville shows.
In the 1930s, the theater changed its name to The Fulton. It then became a movie theater, showing films all the time. A famous horror movie called Night of the Living Dead had its first showing here in 1968. This movie was filmed in and around Pittsburgh.
In 1990, the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust bought the theater. They fixed up The Fulton as part of their plan to improve the Cultural District. In 1995, Carolyn M. Byham and William C. Byham of Pittsburgh gave a large gift to help with renovations. Because of their generosity, the theater was renamed The Byham Theater.
Remembering the 1960 World Series
On November 13, 2010, the Byham Theater hosted a special event. It was the 50th anniversary of Bill Mazeroski's winning home run in the 1960 World Series. For the first time ever, the public got to see the tape of Game 7 of that World Series. This tape was found in December 2009.
The event was hosted by sports announcer Bob Costas. Bill Mazeroski was there, along with other baseball stars. These included Pirate MVP Dick Groat and former Yankee Bobby Richardson. They were interviewed during the showing of the game. Later, MLB Network showed the game and interviews to people across the country.
See also
- Theatre in Pittsburgh
