Pantages Theatre (Hollywood) facts for kids
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 Hollywood Pantages Theatre
Location in the Los Angeles metropolitan area
Hollywood Pantages Theatre
Location in California
Hollywood Pantages Theatre
Location in the United States
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| Location | 6233 Hollywood Boulevard Hollywood, Los Angeles, California |
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| Coordinates | 34°06′07″N 118°19′32″W / 34.10194°N 118.32556°W |
| Public transit |   Hollywood/Vine |
| Owner | Nederlander Organization |
| Type | Indoor theatre |
| Seating type | Reserved |
| Capacity | 2,703 |
| Opened | June 4, 1930 |
| Designated: | July 5, 1978 |
| Reference #: | 193 |
| Architect: | B. Marcus Priteca |
| Architectural style: | Art Deco |
The Hollywood Pantages Theatre, once called the RKO Pantages Theatre, is a famous building in Hollywood, California. You can find it at Hollywood and Vine (6233 Hollywood Boulevard). A talented architect named B. Marcus Priteca designed it. This grand theater was the very last one built by Alexander Pantages, who was famous for creating many vaudeville shows. Vaudeville was a popular type of entertainment with different acts like music, comedy, and dance. The theater first opened its doors on June 4, 1930. It was built in the Art Deco style, which means it has a very cool, geometric, and fancy look.
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A Look Back: The Pantages Theatre's Story
When the Pantages Theatre first opened, it showed movies and live vaudeville acts. This was common for theaters owned by Alexander Pantages. However, times were tough during the Great Depression (a period of economic hardship). So, after two years, the theater mostly showed movies to save money. Sometimes, it still had live shows.
In 1932, Alexander Pantages sold the theater to Fox West Coast Theaters. Later, in 1949, a famous businessman named Howard Hughes bought it for his RKO Theatre company. He even had his own offices on the second floor!
Hosting the Academy Awards
From 1949 to 1959, the Hollywood Pantages Theatre was the special place where the annual Academy Awards were held. These awards celebrate the best movies of the year. The theater continued to be a popular spot for big movie premieres until the 1970s.
In 1977, the Pantages stopped being a movie theater. It reopened shortly after with a live stage show called Bubbling Brown Sugar. Since then, it has become a top spot for live theater productions.
Modern Times and Famous Shows
Today, the Nederlander Organization runs the Hollywood Pantages. It's one of Los Angeles's most important places for live shows. Many huge Broadway musicals have been performed here. For example, Disney's The Lion King played for over two years! The very popular musical Wicked also had a long run at the Pantages.
The area around the theater has changed a lot, with new buildings and shops. In 2000, the theater itself got a big upgrade and restoration that cost $10 million. The original plan for the Pantages was to be a 12-story building, with the theater on the first two floors and offices above. But the Wall Street Crash of 1929 stopped the upper floors from being built. There were plans in 2007 to finish the original design, but it never happened.
Music and Filming Location
The Hollywood Pantages Theatre isn't just for musicals. It has also hosted many popular music concerts. Bands like Dream Theater, Prince, and Foo Fighters have played there. The concert film Stop Making Sense by Talking Heads was filmed at the Pantages in 1984.
Famous singers have also performed here. In 1990, Alice Cooper played to a sold-out crowd. In 1997, before she became a global star, Colombian singer Shakira had her first U.S. show at the Pantages. In 2006, the Mexican pop group RBD recorded their live CD/DVD Live in Hollywood at the theater.
The Pantages is also a popular place for filming movies, TV shows, and music videos. Scenes from the 1980 movie The Jazz Singer and Michael Jackson's 1995 music video "You Are Not Alone" were filmed there.
Past Productions: A Glimpse
The Pantages Theatre has hosted many amazing shows over the years. Here are just a few of the popular musicals and performances that have graced its stage:
- The Phantom of the Opera
- Cats
- The Lion King
- Wicked
- The Book of Mormon
- Hamilton
- Frozen
- Riverdance
- Mamma Mia!
- Chicago
- Les Misérables
- Disney's Beauty and the Beast
- Shrek the Musical
- Kinky Boots
- Newsies
- Motown
- Beautiful: The Carole King Musical
- School of Rock
- Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
See also
In Spanish: Pantages Theatre para niños
