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Other Pantages Theatres |
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If you're a theatre-history buff, you may also be interested to know more about some of the other Pantages theatre around North America. Some have been demolished, some sit abandoned, others are being restored and some have been restored and are in use. Whatever their status, each has a unique story. We are always in the process of compiling this information. If any visitors have additional information, pictures or quotes to add, please contact us: Pantages History c/o Pantages Playhouse Theatre 180 Market Avenue East Winnipeg, MB, R3B 0P8 email: info@pantagesplayhouse.com |
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LINK:
http://www.hennepintheatredistrict.com/
October 27, 1916: Greek
immigrant Alexander Pantages opens the 26th of what would eventually be a
total of 500 theatres. The Minneapolis Pantages, on Hennepin Avenue, was
designed by Minneapolis architectural firm Kees & Colburn. It was originally
conceived as a twelve-story complex in Beaux Arts style, but was scaled back
to a two-story Art Moderne facade with a Beaux arts interior that
accommodated 1600 people. Building costs were approximately $15,000. The
Pantages boasted the first air-conditioning in a Minneapolis theatre, which
involved cooling the air with ice. Alexander Pantages also innovated the
mezzanine, a carpeted lobby on the balcony level with restrooms and
telephones. The first show at the Minneapolis Pantages was a vaudeville
lineup that included singers, comedians, and a banjo player.
A view from the balcony, including roof detail:
Detailing under the balcony:
A view of the interior roof detail:
The Pantages' marquee (recent):
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Seattle, WA 
The Pantages Theatre had two locations. The
first location was a smaller vaudeville house. When the Danz Brothers took control of the
house and renamed it the "Palomar."
The smaller vaudeville house exterior:
A feature of early vaudeville: Alice, the dancing bear:
The cover of the souvenir progrom from the Seattle Pantages' Re-Opening Night:
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This theatre is closed and in disrepair. Located in the heart of Vancouver's downtown east-side, the exterior has been boarded up for years. Attempts by local theatre-history enthusiasts to restore the facility have been unsuccessful to date. Vancouver's Pantages Theatre, of 1907, is the oldest surviving link of a chain of over 150 theatres. It was only the second theatre built by Alexander Pantages after his first opened in Seattle. It is the oldest surviving theatre in the city and one of the oldest intact, purpose-built vaudeville theatre interiors in Canada. The theatre was once part of a thriving theatre district of which it is one of the last survivors. The building's facade is quite plain and is a smaller version of the, now demolished, Empress Theatre two blocks east. They followed the trend of early theatres where the office-like exterior hid a decorative interior. The only major alteration to this building has been the removal of the ticket booth. The interior of this unique building is wonderful. Designed in an era when theatre design was going through a transformation, the Pantages exhibits a much simpler decoration scheme than later theatres. The original plaster decoration, includes musical instruments, lots of scoll work, and the initials of Mr. Pantages the theatre's owner. The proscenium was originally surrounded by flame-shaped light bulbs. The sockets are still in place. A view of the interior. The colour scheme is not original:
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This theatre has been restored and is in excellent condition. The theatre has a prominent home on Hollywood Boulevard. It is currently managed by the Nederlanders and is home to many large broadway musicals. Constructed in 1929 in flamboyant art deco style, this marble and bronze theater was one of the most luxurious movie palaces during the golden years of Hollywood. The Academy Awards were held here between 1949 and 1959, when classics like "On The Waterfront" and "Singin' In The Rain" were awarded Oscars. Today, the theater is simply one of the best venues in the area to experience Broadway musicals and intimate concert performances. Plus, its amazing interior design, complete with huge chandeliers and vaulted ceilings, is still in prime condition. A contemporary view of the theatre's Art Deco interior:
The exterior of the theatre, recently, while a production of THE LION KING was presented:
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LINK: http://www.sandiegohistory.org/collections/theaters/pantages.htm After operating as a Pantages theatre for several years, it changed hands to the RKO Orpheum chain. There are some fabulous images available on the link above that offer an exciting glimpse into what the early Pantages was like. The lobby was quite lavish:
This view of the exterior of the theatre belies it's lavish interior.
Marcus Priteca (Left) with Mr. & Mrs. Pantages (centre):
The lavish interior (box seats) at the Pantages:
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