<< Go Back up to Region ‘Los Angeles: Hollywood’


Follow Mike Hume’s Historic Theatre Photography: Follow Historic Theatre Photos on Instagram Follow Historic Theatre Photos on Facebook

Pantages Theatre

Pantages Theatre

Architects: B. Marcus Priteca, Sonke E. Sonnichsen (associate architect)

First Opened: 4th June 1930 (94 years ago)

Reopening after major renovation: 29th September 2000

Former Names: Fox Pantages

Website: www.hollywoodpantages.com Open website in new window

Telephone: (323) 468-1770 Call (323) 468-1770

Address: 6233 Hollywood Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90028 Show address in Google Maps (new window)


The Pantages is the most opulent Art Deco theatre in Los Angeles; no expense was spared on its sumptuous interior. The theatre is owned and operated by the Nederlander Organization Link opens in new window and was extensively refurbished in the year 2000. The Pantages brings Broadway hits to Los Angeles and Southern California audiences.

Featured Photos

Detailed Information

The Pantages in 1930
The Pantages in 1930

The Pantages Theatre was designed by architect B. Marcus Priteca and was the last theatre to be built by theatre magnate Alexander Pantages, at a cost of about $3 million.

The original plan called for 10 floors of office space above the two floors housing the theatre, however the upper floors were scrapped during the theatre’s construction as a result of the 1929 Stock Market crash.

Whereas it was originally designed with a mix of vaudeville and movies in mind, the Great Depression saw the theatre economize and exhibit mostly movies, operated in partnership by Pantages and Fox West Coast Theatres.

In August 1932 it was reported with the headline Fox Buys Pantages House that a half-million dollar deal had been struck to give West Coast Theatres sole and complete control of the theatre. After a short closure the theatre reopened on 20th October 1932 with the MGM movie Red Dust Link opens in new window, under the personal direction of Sid Grauman.

Seemingly the arrangement did not last long, as a “pooling arrangement” was agreed with the RKO Hillstreet Theatre. The arrangement was reported in 1949 to have been in place for 16 or 17 years.

Auditorium Chandelier
Auditorium Chandelier

In mid-1949 it was announced that the theatre would be purchased by the RKO Theatre Circuit. Howard Hughes, who had taken over RKO in 1948, maintained his personal offices and an apartment for a time in the offices above the theatre entrance.

In 1965 the theatre came to be operated by Pacific Theatres. In December 1967 it was announced that Pacific Theatres had purchased the theatre and office building from the RKO division of Glen Alden Corporation, who had acquired RKO assets around 1950.

The Pantages hosted the Academy Awards (the Oscars) Link opens in new window for a decade, from 1950 to 1960, including the first live telecast of the Oscars on 19th March 1953.

In January 1977 it was announced that the Nederlander Organization Link opens in new window had entered into a partnership with Pacific Theatres to convert the theatre into a legitimate house “for all of the performing arts”. As of the 2020s the theatre is owned and operated by the Nederlander Organization.

Heading towards the dawn of the 21st century, the theatre was looking a little tired. Therefore, a major component of the deal for Disney to bring The Lion King Link opens in new window to the theatre was a comprehensive $10.8 million seven month refurbishment of the theatre, which was undertaken from March to September 2000. Over 20 years after the refurbishment was completed the theatre still looks as good, if not better, than it did when it opened in 1930.

Auditorium from Stage
Auditorium from Stage

The Lion King Link opens in new window necessitated major works backstage by creating a 40ft by 40ft (12.2m square) pit under the stage to house set pieces and hydraulics. Understage dressing rooms were relocated and the theatre now boasts an extremely flexible understage area which can accommodate any manner of openings in the stage floor. The popular show went on to run for over 28 months at the Pantages.

The seating capacity was reported in initial press releases as 3,500, designed to be 3,212, and ultimately the theatre opened with a capacity of 2,812 by virtue of wider seats and increased legroom than originally planned. The current seating capacity is 2,703.

The centerpiece of the auditorium ceiling is an elegant starburst chandelier suspended below a blue backlit upper ceiling, creating a mesmerizing 3D effect. Historic photographs show that cloud projectors were originally installed in the ceiling.

There are small side stages flanking either side of the proscenium arch, and between those and the auditorium side walls are organ chambers. No traditional organ has ever been installed in the theatre, and plans announced by Pacific Theatres in 1979 to relocate the 4-manual, 37-rank Kimball (opus 6644) from the Wiltern Theatre never came to fruition. An Allen electric organ was installed in the theatre by the Nederlander Organization’s nonprofit arm in 1992 but its current status is unknown.

The Art Deco Grand Lobby
The Art Deco Grand Lobby

The Grand Lobby is dedicated to Los Angeles and California of the 1930s. Elaborate plaster relief panels depict the leading industries of the time such as agriculture, oil, gold, lumber, movies and the arts, sports, and real estate. There are also some hidden nods to local colleges USC and UCLA. Grand byzantine figures watch over all those passing through the Grand Lobby from the side walls. The staircases to the balcony level are adorned by life-size figures depicting the aviation and movie industries.

In December 2016 the Pantages hosted the world premiere of Rogue One: A Star Wars Story Link opens in new window. The theatre was closed for four days before the premiere to allow for the temporary installation of a Dolby Atmos sound system along with Dolby Vision laser projectors. For full details of the temporary installation refer to the Further Reading section below.

Beginning March 2020 the Pantages was set to host to the only resident production of the musical phenomenon Hamilton Link opens in new window in the United States outside of New York’s Broadway, however the Covid-19 pandemic shut down theatres one day before the production was due to open. After a 17-month delay, Hamilton Link opens in new window finally opened to a full house on 18th August 2021. The production’s final performance was 20th March 2022, resulting in a triumphant seven month run at the Pantages Theatre.

Movie, TV & Music Video Appearances

Movies

Television

Music Videos

Documentary

Award Shows

Listed/Landmark Building Status

How do I visit the Pantages Theatre?

Public access tours are not generally available due to the busy nature of this theatre, however, over on occasion Pantages Theatre subscribers have sometimes been invited to private Open House events. If you love Los Angeles theatre and the Pantages, your best bet to see more is to subscribe to their season - check out the Hollywood Pantages Theatre website Link opens in new window for more details. Information correct as of April 2022.

Further Reading

Online

Books

Technical Information

Flying System
Arbor Max Weight
1,300lbs
Curtain to first Lineset
6in
Curtain to last Lineset
35ft 6in
Floor to Grid
68ft 6in
Height Above Grid
8ft
House Masking
4 sets Black Legs and Borders
Linesets
74 Single Purchase on 6in Centers
Maximum Trim Height
61ft
Pin Rail Location
Stage Right
Pipe Length
55ft to 70ft
Purchase Lines
¾in; 5 Lines per Set
General Information
Balcony Overhang
Row V of Orchestra
Lighting
Balcony Rail
120ft long, 2 parallel 1½in pipes 1ft apart. 36x20A outlets (Socapex) terminate Stage Right
Far Box Booms
8x20A outlets terminating Stage Right. Approx 75ft from Center Apron.
Followspots
3x2K Xenon Super Troopers. Booth will accommodate 4 Followspots. Throw approx 135ft to Apron
House Lights
Controlled from Stage Right
House Truss
60ft long 24in Box Truss with Ladder, approx 33ft Downstage of Proscenium Arch. 24x20A outlets (Socapex) terminate Stage Right
Near Box Booms
8x20A outlets terminating Stage Right. Approx 54ft from Center Apron
Orchestra Pit
Pit Edge to Back Wall
99ft 9in
Stage Dimensions
Center Line to Stage Left
67ft 9in
Center Line to Stage Right
61ft 11in
Curtain Line to Back Wall
38ft
Floor Surface
¾in MDF, ¾in Plywood, 3½in Hardwood
Proscenium Height
26ft 8in
Proscenium Width
57ft 4in
Historic Photos & Documents
Files displayed in this section may be subject to copyright; refer to our Copyright Fair Use Statement regarding our use of copyrighted media.

Photos of the Pantages Theatre

Jump to Photo Section:

  1. Auditorium
  2. Auditorium: Closeups
  3. Fire Curtain
  4. Grand Lobby
  5. Public Areas
  6. Exterior
  7. Backstage
  8. Projection Booth
Auditorium

The auditorium seats approximately 2,700 on two levels. Organ chambers were designed into the auditorium but never housed an organ.

Auditorium: Closeups
Fire Curtain

The fire/safety curtain is not thought to be original, however is maintains the Art Deco design of the original curtain.

Grand Lobby

The Grand Lobby is a breathtaking space, designed to accommodate a full audience before they enter the auditorium. The Grand Lobby features bas-relief murals depicting hallmarks of California, such as aviation, oil, and the Arts.

Public Areas

The theatre features an elegant exterior ticket lobby in addition to sumptuous interior spaces such as the mirrored Ladies Lounge.

Exterior

The theatre’s main façade fronts onto Hollywood Boulevard, just east of the major Hollywood & Vine intersection. Original plans called for an office building to rise above the theatre building however it was never built due to the Great Depression.

Backstage

The proscenium is 57ft 4in (17.5m) wide and 26ft 8in (8.1m high), with a grid height of 68ft 6in (20.9m); the counterweight flying system operated from Stage Right.

The original load-in door is located on the north (upstage) side of the stage, however this is a steep “horse ramp” descent to the stage. Smaller items may be transferred by elevator. The main load-in door is on the east (stage left) side of the stage with access from the adjacent road via ramp.

Projection Booth

The Projection Booth is extremely well appointed, reported at the theatre’s opening as being 50ft wide. $60,000 was reportedly spent on equipment in the booth, namely three film projectors, two spot lamps, two followspots, one flood lamp, and one effects projector. The DC generators were located in the basement. The booth now contains four Super Trouper 2K followspots.



Follow Mike Hume’s Historic Theatre Photography: Follow Historic Theatre Photos on Instagram Follow Historic Theatre Photos on Facebook