Pantages Theater Hollywood California

Pantages Theater Hollywood -

The historic Pantages Theater is a striking example of early 20th-century Greco-Roman design. Originally built as a vaudeville house in 1918 by Alexander Pantages, this lavish addition to his nationwide theater empire was designed by the great theater architect B. Marcus Priteca and was inspired by the theater in France's opulent Palace of Versailles. It served as a live theater for only eight years, during which it hosted varierty shows by W.C. Fields, Mae West, Charlie Chaplin and the Marx Brothers.

In 1932, it was converted into a movie theater. In 1978, a community project began to restore the theater to its original grandeur. Pantages reopened in 1983 as part of the Broadway Center for the Performing Arts, featuring nationally-known drama, dance and comedy performances. The 1,182-seat theater now serves as one of the outstanding performing arts centers in the Pacific Northwest for national and international touring artists, and is home to many local arts organizations.

The Pantages Theatre features accessible seating for physically challenged patrons; this seating is available in the orchestra level only. There is no elevator in the Pantages Theatre, and the Mezzanine (2nd) Level is accessible only by stairs. Accessible restrooms are available for both men and women in the lower alcove located on the east end of the main lobby; this area is wheelchair accessible with the assistance of an electronic lift.