Paramount Theatre (Seattle) facts for kids
The Paramount Theatre in 2015
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| Address | 901 Pine Street Seattle, Washington 98101 |
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| Coordinates | 47°36′47″N 122°19′53″W / 47.61306°N 122.33139°W |
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Paramount Theatre
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| Architect | Rapp & Rapp; B. Marcus Priteca |
| NRHP reference No. | 74001959 |
| Significant dates | |
| Added to NRHP | October 19, 1974 |
| Capacity | 2,807 |
| Opened | March 1, 1928 |
The Paramount Theatre is a famous performing arts center in downtown Seattle, Washington. With 2,807 seats, it's a huge and beautiful place to see all kinds of shows. The theater first opened its doors on March 1, 1928, and was originally called the Seattle Theatre.
Because of its long and important history, the Paramount is on the National Register of Historic Places. It is also recognized as an official City of Seattle landmark. This means it is a special building that is protected for future generations to enjoy.
Today, the Paramount is run by a non-profit group called the Seattle Theatre Group. This group also manages the Moore Theatre and the Neptune Theatre. The Paramount hosts Broadway musicals, concerts, comedy shows, dance performances, and even silent films. It is one of the most active and popular theaters in the area.
Contents
History of the Theatre
A Movie Palace is Born
In the 1920s, before movies had sound, the most popular forms of entertainment were silent films and live stage shows called vaudeville. Seattle had over 50 theaters, known as movie palaces. To show its movies across the country, Paramount Pictures built amazing theaters in many big cities.
In 1927, Paramount Pictures decided to build a grand theater in Seattle. The company spent almost $3 million on its construction, which was a huge amount of money back then. The theater was designed to be a spectacular place for people to watch movies and live performances.
Becoming a Landmark
The theater was renamed the Paramount in 1930. Over the years, it became a beloved part of Seattle. In 1993, a former Microsoft vice-president named Ida Cole bought the theater to save and restore it. After a year of repairs, it reopened in 1995, looking as grand as ever.
Cool Features of the Paramount
The Paramount is known for its stunning design and special features that make it unique.
The Amazing Convertible Floor
The Paramount was the first theater in the United States to have a special convertible floor. This system allows the main floor seats to be moved away, turning the theater into a giant ballroom or a standing-room area for concerts. This means it can be a 2,807-seat theater or hold up to 3,000 fans for a concert.
The Mighty Wurlitzer Organ
The theater still has its original Wurlitzer theatre pipe organ. This amazing instrument was installed when the theater was built. It is a special "Publix 1" style organ, and it's one of only three like it that still exist in their original locations. The organ is used to play music for the Silent Movie Mondays series, bringing classic silent films to life.
The Famous Glowing Sign
The bright, glowing "Paramount" sign is a famous part of the Seattle skyline. The original 1940s sign used nearly 2,000 light bulbs. Today, a replica of that classic sign shines brightly using modern, energy-saving LED lights.
The Paramount Theatre has also been a location for television. The auditions for the sixth season of America's Got Talent were filmed there.
See also
- 5th Avenue Theatre, another historic Seattle theater known for Broadway shows
