5th avenue theatre 5th avenue theatre referred 5th avenue 5th landmark theatre building located seattle washington hosted variety theatre productions motion pictures opened building land owned original campus operated venue nationally touring broadway original shows non profit theatre located fifth avenue historic skinner building listed seat theatre resident home 5th employs actors musicians directors designers technicians stage hands box office staff administrators making largest theatre employer region non profit theatre company supported individual corporate donations government sources box office ticket sales 5th season programming includes seven shows year mix locally produced musical theatre classics bound broadway shows national touring musicals established tradition testing ground new musicals debut broadway launching hits wedding singer theatre hosts variety special events offers education outreach programs school age children adults reaching students professional performers audiences year architecture located skinner building historic office block ranging stories retail shops ground level theatre surrounded sides entry facing namesake avenue addition auditorium original seating capacity theatre contains grand entry hall featured tea room addition waiting room women lounge interior design 5th avenue theatre modeled reproduce features historic known beijing landmarks norwegian artist executed design based visit china published illustrated account travels china ornate historical chinese style theatre distinguishes exterior skinner building street entry viewer preview interior design ceiling plaster representations wood beams carved painted scheme decorated dragons flower patterns carved cloud shapes screen light fixtures create indirect lighting effect viewer approaches wooden brass entry doors original central free standing box office replaced current box office located entry renovation original imperial guardian lions commonly called dogs lions originally located outside entry moved inside renovation interior architecture theatre excellent imitation chinese wooden temple construction story rectangular lobby features red columns wrapped plaster rising roof structure painted beams supporting canopy bamboo imitated plaster original pair guardian lions male guard second level gallery serves theatre balcony addition imperial guard lions original light fixtures decoration remain intact decorative details continue seat auditorium highlight focal decorative feature octagonal sculpted imperial chinese dragon springs large glass hangs dragon mouth reference chinese symbol dragon claim puts size twice size model based throne room opening night program spoke imposing feature great dome symbolic themes borrowed chinese legends motifs chinese poetry sphere surrounded glowing cloud red welfare blue rain green symbolic plaque black flood gold prosperity great dragon guardian genius place presence multiplied varying forms structure huge beams surrounding supporting dome dragons emperor emblem fire pursuit jewel rendered shape disc rays symbolic dragon motif repeated radial theatre imperial dragon accompanied symbol empress chinese phoenix called japanese personal symbol empress repeated theatre prominently relief false screened organ pipes addition symbols orange lotus flowers appear theatre highly decorated arch safety curtain maintain chinese design influence decorative features building 5th avenue theatre contained notable technical features originally built ascending orchestra pit independent organ platform allowed musicians raised main stage height orchestra pit level basement ventilation system controls building allowed air washed prior introduction venue outlets seat significance preceding hollywood 5th avenue theatre called largest authentic example traditional chinese timber architecture decoration outside asia addition association architect notable works include nationally known old important buildings art style add significance added november history planning construction president general manager inc believed seattle place growing importance motion picture industry consequently place invest long term arthur company absorbed competing chain theatres sought expansion large holder theatre company stock debt sat board directors developer known promoted establishment theatre district like developed theatre built los_angeles california planned skinner building theatre owned arthur company complete development architect joined world war house architect designed skinner building 5th avenue theatre creating 5th avenue theatre joined colleague office san_francisco construction began october construction taking months costing million grand opening theatre celebrated grand opening september opening unit program included film live performances opening program included silent film young april stage presentation popular local musician composer returned portland oregon accompanying opening night wallace theatre seattle motion picture house opening night marked festivities outside theatre seven blocks downtown seattle theatre closed street car automobile traffic lured free street car bus rides thousands people packed fifth avenue street reported doubtful friday night seattle history saw people circulating downtown streets night density center activities street cars diverted street outside theatre street carnival took place living moniker theater magic sign wonderful time night sky banks lights illuminated streets outside theater shot roofs nearby buildings additionally dance bands placed closed intersections provide entertainment giant screens project words sing orchestrated fifth avenue theatre estimated crowd people participated events decline restoration following grand opening theatre served venue film following decline movie palace 1970s economic recession advent television movie complex development suburbs crowds theatre struggled stay open forced close doors nearby theatre variety use possibilities proposed theatre including chinese restaurant movie theater office building shopping center city seattle unable protect theatre designated landmark unique position site original territorial university grounds owned state washington business leaders formed non profit million loan save theatre family active patron theatre architect oversaw restoration efforts changes renovation vertical marked theatre presence removed orchestra pit auditorium seating rebuilt dressing rooms moved technical systems updated furniture fixtures interior signage retained paint carefully restored original renovation suitable live performances filled seattle need touring broadway musical venue renovation work completed federal state local funds june marked theater rebirth new chapter seattle arts community grand opening gala renovated theatre actress christened stage kiss declared 5th national treasure beginning july 5th presented annie touring broadway musical appear theatre sold ran weeks total performances 5th avenue theatre continues thrive assistance generous donors volunteers history renovation 5th avenue theatre seattle established theatres established resident non profit theatre company february earthquake 5th avenue theatre time actors stage musical theatre suffered minimal damages structural damage earthquake repairs included removal replacement plaster ceiling supports repair numerous cracks damaged decorative plaster pieces ceiling contractors install tall reach highest interior ceiling stories time area reached years lowered repair maintenance repair work provided services seismic upgrades skinner building november new vertical similar sign removed renovation installed possible donation daughter broadway producer early 5th avenue promoter new sign features design inspired earlier theatre interior uses led lights energy conservation includes revolving 5th sign 5th genesis renovation non profit successfully operated venue touring broadway shows united_states went economic shortage touring shows venues like 5th consequently country broadway houses went unused extended periods time 5th remained open years reduced staff community events local promoters situation forced theatre merely presenter touring musicals non profit established resident theatre company dubbed 5th produce musicals locally theatre company establishment 5th yearly season programming included shows national touring musicals locally produced musical theatre classics bound broadway shows musical theater performances fall spring season attract subscribers average ticket sales tickets annually 5th ranks nation largest musical theater companies musical company employs actors musicians directors designers technicians stage hands box office staff administrators making 5th largest theatre employer region non profit theatre company supported individual corporate donations government sources box office ticket sales partnership executive director 5th collaborative partnership existed 5th houston theatre stars young served executive director partnership produced seasons musical theater including national tours self produced musicals october 5th avenue self produced musical presented starring 5th 5th avenue theatre production open broadway april produced cooperation houston august 5th partnership ended joined 5th resident producing artistic director launching new era collaboration leading musical theater companies producers country broadway testing ground creation 5th 5th established tradition testing ground new musicals debut broadway 5th produced pre broadway world premiere years sought partner developing broadway musicals notable musicals shown seattle audiences 5th avenue theatre prior success broadway include nominated won tony awards nominations film adaptation premiered 5th july days prior nationwide release 5th role musical success broadway testing ground tradition continued season pre broadway world memphis went win tony awards winning memphis winning including season premiered catch premiered broadway spring season premiered christmas story musical based film recently premiere based disney film successful 5th avenue theatre performed musicals lone star love originally scheduled broadway poor reviews announced premiere musical adaptation later replaced buddy buddy holly story community outreach programs theatre hosts variety special events offers number education outreach programs school age children adults reaching students professional performers audiences year example 5th avenue high school musical theatre awards evaluate honor performances student actors stage hands washington state high school productions end school year tony awards style ceremony held includes high profile performances nominees acceptance speeches award recipients awards ceremony useful scouting event colleges looking recruit talent drama departments productions season
5th Avenue Theatre