The 5th Avenue Theatre
is a landmark theatre located in Seattle, Washington, USA. It has hosted a variety of theatre productions and motion pictures since it opened in 1926. It is operated as a venue for nationally touring Broadway and original shows by the non-profit 5th Avenue Theatre Association. The theatre, located at 1308 Fifth Avenue in the historic Skinner Building, has been listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places since 1978.
The 2,130 seat theatre is the resident home to the 5th Avenue Musical Theatre Company and employs over 600 actors, musicians, directors, choreographers, designers, technicians, stage hands, box office staff, and administrators, making it the largest theatre employer in the Puget Sound region. Unique in the region, the theatre company survives almost exclusively on gate receipts, without subsidy.
Currently, the 5th's subscriber season programming includes 4 to 7 shows per year comprised of a mix of national touring musicals, locally produced revivals of musical theatre classics, and premieres of bound-for-Broadway shows. The 5th Avenue Theatre has established a tradition of being a "testing ground" for new musicals before they make their debut on Broadway, launching hits such as Jekyll & Hyde
, Hairspray
, and The Wedding Singer
. The theatre also hosts a variety of special events, and offers a number of education and outreach programs to school-age children and adults reaching over 55,000 students, professional performers, and audiences each year.
|
5TH AVENUE THEATRE TICKETS
| EVENT | DATE | AVAILABILITY |
|---|
| Kurt Vile and The Violators Tickets 7/3 | Jul 03, 2026 Fri, 8:00 PM |  | | Modest Mouse Tickets 7/10 | Jul 10, 2026 Fri, 8:00 PM |  | | Modest Mouse Tickets 7/11 | Jul 11, 2026 Sat, 8:00 PM |  | | String Cheese Incident Tickets 7/26 | Jul 26, 2026 Sun, 7:15 PM |  | | Bluey's Big Play Tickets 10/2 | Oct 02, 2026 Fri, 6:00 PM |  |
|
Architecture
Located in the Skinner Building, an historic office block ranging from five to eight stories with retail shops on the ground level, the theatre is surrounded on three sides, with its entry facing its
namesake avenue. In addition to an
auditorium with an original seating capacity of 3,000, the theatre contains a grand entry hall, and a
mezzanine that once featured a
tea room in addition to a
waiting room and women's lounge.
[1]
The
interior design of the 5th Avenue Theatre was modeled to reproduce some of the features of the most historic and well-known
Beijing landmarks. The
Norwegian artist
Gustav Liljestrom executed the design based on his visit to
China and the illustrated account of Ernst Boerschmann's travels there,
Chinesische Architecktur
, published in 1925.
[2]
The ornate historical
Chinese style of the theatre distinguishes itself from the
Neo-Renaissance exterior of the Skinner Building. Only at the street entry under the
marquee does the viewer get a preview of the interior design. Here, adorning the ceiling are
plaster representations of wood
brackets,
beams, and carved
reliefs painted in a
polychromatic scheme and decorated with stenciled dragons and flower patterns. Carved cloud shapes screen light fixtures to create an indirect lighting effect as the viewer approaches the wooden, brass knobbed entry doors. The original central free-standing
box office was replaced by the current box office located to the side of the entry as part of a 1979 renovation.
The original
Imperial guardian lions (
Ruì Shi
), commonly called foo dogs or foo lions, originally located outside the entry were moved inside as part of the 1979 renovation.
The interior architecture of the theatre is an "excellent imitation of Chinese wooden temple construction".
The two story rectangular
lobby features red, stenciled columns wrapped in plaster rising to a timbered roof structure of decoratively painted beams supporting a canopy of bamboo, also imitated in plaster. The original pair of guardian lions, both male, guard the
stairway to a second level gallery that serves the theatre balcony. In addition to the Imperial guard lions, other original furnishings, light fixtures, and decoration remain intact.
The decorative details continue in the 2,130-seat auditorium, but the highlight and focal decorative feature is the octagonal
caisson from which a sculpted five-toed
Imperial Chinese dragon springs. A large chandelier of glass hangs from the dragon's mouth, in reference to the Chinese symbol of a dragon disgorging flaming pearls.
[3] One claim puts the size of this caisson at twice the size of the model on which it was based in the throne room of the
Hall of Supreme Harmony in the
Forbidden City.
The opening night program spoke effusively of it:
"NRHPNomination" />
The dragon
motif is repeated in the radial
coffers of the caisson and the timbered coffers throughout the theatre. The Imperial dragon is accompanied by the symbol of the Empress, the
Chinese phoenix (Fèng huáng)
, sometimes called Ho-Ho or Ho-Oh Bird from the Japanese. This personal symbol of the Empress is also repeated throughout the theatre, but most prominently in relief as part of the grills above false balconies that once screened organ pipes. In addition to these symbols, orange blossoms, chrysanthemums, and lotus flowers appear throughout the theatre. The highly decorated
proscenium arch and
safety curtain maintain the Chinese design influence.
Beyond the decorative features of the building, the 5th Avenue Theatre also contained notable technical features when originally built. An ascending
orchestra pit and independent
Wurlitzer organ platform allowed the musicians to be raised up to main stage height or to orchestra pit level from the basement below.
[4] The ventilation system had
thermostatic controls throughout the building, and allowed the air to be 'washed' prior to its introduction into the venue at outlets under every third seat.
History
Planning and construction
The president and general manager of Pacific Northwest Theatres, Inc., Harry C. Arthur, believed Seattle to be a place of growing importance in the motion picture industry in the mid-1920s, and consequently as the place to invest for the long term.
[5] Arthur's company absorbed a competing chain of 40 theatres by 1926, and sought further expansion. A large holder of the theatre company's stock and debt was C. D. Stimson who sat on the board of directors of both Pacific Northwest Theatres and the Metropolitan Building Company, developer of what became known as the
Metropolitan Tract. Stimson promoted the establishment of a theatre district like that which had developed around a theatre he had built in
Los Angeles,
California.
[6] The planned Skinner Building with a theatre owned by Arthur's company would complete the Stimson development of the Metropolitan Tract.
[7]
The architect,
Robert Reamer, had joined the Metropolitan Building Company after World War I and as their house architect designed the Skinner Building and the 5th Avenue Theatre.
[8] In creating the 5th Avenue Theatre, Reamer was joined by his colleague, Joseph Skoog, of Reamer's office and Gustav Liljestrom, of the S. & G. Gump Company of San Francisco.
Construction began in October 1925 with construction taking 11 months
and costing $1.5 million.
[9]
Grand opening
The theatre celebrated its grand opening on September 24, 1926 with an opening unit program that included both film and live
vaudeville performances.
[10] The opening program included the silent film
Young April
, Fanchon and Marco's stage presentation
The Night Club
, and Lipschultz and his Syncopated Soloists.
[11] Oliver Wallace, a popular local musician and composer, returned from Portland, Oregon to be the accompanying organist for opening night. Wallace had been the first theatre organist in a Seattle motion picture house.
[12]
Opening night was also marked by festivities outside the theatre. Seven blocks of downtown Seattle around the theatre were closed to street car and automobile traffic. Lured by free street car, bus, and taxicab rides, thousands of people packed Fifth Avenue between Seneca Street and Pike Street, University and Union Streets.
The Seattle Times reported:
"ref">[13]
—The Seattle Times, The Seattle Daily Times
In the street outside the theatre a street carnival took place. Living up to the moniker for the theater's marquee, “the Magic Sign of a Wonderful Time,” spotlights scanned the night sky, banks of
Klieg lights illuminated the streets outside the theater, and flares were shot from the roofs of nearby buildings.
Additionally, dance bands were placed at the closed intersections to provide entertainment and, using giant screens to project the words, a sing-along was orchestrated on Fifth Avenue in front of the theatre. An estimated crowd of between 50,000 and 100,000 people participated in the events.
Decline and restoration
Following the grand opening, the theatre served as a venue for vaudeville and film, and following the decline of vaudeville as a movie palace until the 1970s. With the economic
recession, the advent of
television, and movie complex development in the suburbs, crowds dwindled and the theatre struggled to stay open. It was forced to close its doors in 1978 along with the nearby Orpheum theatre. A variety of re-use possibilities were proposed for the theatre including a Chinese restaurant, a triplex movie theater, an office building, or a shopping center.
[14] [15] The city of Seattle was unable to protect the theatre as a designated landmark because of its unique position on the site of the original territorial university grounds owned by the state of Washington.
[16]
In 1979, 43 business leaders formed the non-profit 5th Avenue Theatre Association and underwrote a US$2.6 million loan to save the theatre.
[17] Among these was
Ned Skinner of the Skinner shipbuilding family who was an active patron of the theatre.
[18] Architect Richard McCann oversaw the restoration efforts.
[19]
Several changes were made during the renovation. The vertical marquee, which had marked the theatre's presence from 1926 to 1980, was removed,
[20] the orchestra pit and auditorium seating were rebuilt, the dressing rooms moved, and the technical systems updated. However, the furniture, fixtures and interior signage were retained. Even the paint was carefully restored to its original luster. The renovation made it suitable again for live performances and filled Seattle's need for a touring Broadway musical venue. Renovation work was completed without federal, state, or local funds.
June 16, 1980 marked the theatre’s rebirth and a new chapter in Seattle’s arts community. At the Grand Opening Gala for the renovated theatre, actress
Helen Hayes christened the stage with a kiss and declared the 5th “a national treasure.” Beginning on July 3 the 5th presented
Annie
, the first touring Broadway musical to appear at the theatre. The sold-out show ran for 10 weeks with a total of 77 performances.
[21]
The 5th Avenue Theatre continues to thrive with the assistance of many generous donors and volunteers.
Post-1980 history
Since the renovation, the 5th Avenue Theatre has become one of Seattle's most established theatres. In 1989, The 5th Avenue Musical Theatre Company was established as the resident non-profit theatre company.
In 1997, the theatre applied for a city permit to put up a vertical marquee similar to the sign that was removed as part of the 1980 renovation. The proposed sign would spell out "5th Avenue" in vertical letters, with the word "Theatre" at the bottom in horizontal letters. Small lights would illuminate the sign. To date, the vertical sign has not returned, most likely due to the city height limit of 65 feet for downtown signs. The theater had applied for a variance because its proposed sign would rise 79 feet from street level.
On February 28, 2001, the
Nisqually earthquake rocked the 5th Avenue Theatre. At the time, actors were on stage rehearsing the musical
1776
. The theatre suffered minimal damages with no structural damage from the quake.
Earthquake repairs included removal and replacement of 72 plaster ceiling supports and the repair of numerous cracks and damaged decorative plaster pieces in the ceiling. Contractors had to install scaffolding tall enough to reach the highest interior crevice in the ceiling eight stories up -- the first time that area had been reached in 75 years. The chandeliers had to be lowered for repair and maintenance.
[22] As part of the repair work,
Turner Construction provided services for seismic upgrades to the Skinner Building.
[23]
Significance
Preceding
Grauman's Chinese Theater in
Hollywood,
California, the 5th Avenue Theatre "has been called the largest and most authentic example of traditional Chinese timber architecture and decoration outside of Asia."
In addition, its association with architect
Robert Reamer, whose other notable works include the nationally known
Old Faithful Inn in
Yellowstone National Park, as well as many important buildings in the
Art Deco style add to its significance.
The Fifth Avenue Theatre was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places on November 28, 1978.
[24]
The 5th Avenue Musical Theatre Company
Genesis
From the renovation in 1980 until 1985 the non-profit 5th Avenue Theatre successfully operated as a venue for touring Broadway shows. As the
United States went through an economic downturn from 1985 to 1989 there was a shortage of touring shows for venues like the 5th. Consequently, many of the country's Broadway houses went unused for extended periods of time. However, the 5th remained open during these years with a reduced staff and was used for community events and local promoters.
[25]
This situation forced the theatre to move beyond merely being a presenter of touring musicals. In 1989, the non-profit 5th Avenue Theatre established a resident theatre company, dubbed The 5th Avenue Musical Theatre Company, to produce musicals locally. Ever since the theatre company's establishment, the 5th's subscriber season programming has included 4 to 7 shows per year comprised of a mix of national touring musicals, locally produced revivals of musical theatre classics, and premieres of bound-for-Broadway shows. With 150
musical theater performances each fall-to-spring subscriber season which attract over 30,000 subscribers and average ticket sales of 300,000 tickets annually, the 5th ranks among the nation's largest musical theatre companies.
[26]
The musical company employs over 600 actors, musicians, directors, choreographers, designers, technicians, stage hands, box office staff, and administrators, making the 5th the largest theatre employer in the
Puget Sound region.
[27] Unique in the region, the theatre company survives almost exclusively on gate receipts, without subsidy.
[28]
TUTS partnership
Frank M. Young was the first executive director of the 5th Avenue Musical Theatre Company. From 1989 to 1999 a collaborative partnership existed between the 5th and Houston's
Theatre Under the Stars (TUTS) where Young also served as executive director.
[29] [30] [31] This partnership produced 10 seasons of musical theater, including both national tours and self-produced musicals. On October 17, 1989 the first 5th Avenue/TUTS self-produced musical was presented:
Mame, starring
Juliet Prowse. After premiering at the 5th in 1995,
Jekyll & Hyde
became the first 5th Avenue Theatre production to open on Broadway in April 1997. The show was produced in cooperation with Houston's Alley Theatre and TUTS.
In August of 2000 the 5th’s partnership with TUTS ended as David Armstrong joined the 5th Avenue Musical Theatre Company as its first resident Producing Artistic Director launching a new era of collaboration with leading musical theater companies and producers across the country.
Broadway "testing ground"
Since the creation of the 5th Avenue Musical Theatre Company in 1989, the 5th Avenue Theatre has established a tradition of being a "testing ground" for new musicals before they make their debut on Broadway. Since 2000 the 5th has produced one pre-Broadway world premiere every 2 to 3 years.
"ref">[32]
—David Armstrong, Producing Artistic Director
Some of the more notable musicals shown to Seattle audiences at the 5th Avenue Theatre prior to their success on Broadway include:
Jekyll & Hyde
in 1995 which was
nominated for 4 Tony Awards,
Hairspray
in 2002 which won
8 Tony Awards, and
The Wedding Singer
in 2006 which had
4 Tony Award nominations.
[33] The
film adaptation of Hairspray
premiered at the 5th on July 16, 2007 (4 days prior to its nationwide release) as an acknowledgement of the 5th's role in the musical's success on Broadway.
[34] The "testing ground" tradition continued in the 2008-2009 season with the pre-Broadway world premiere of
Shrek the musical
.
Community outreach programs
The theatre also hosts a variety of special events, and offers a number of education and outreach programs to school-age children and adults reaching over 55,000 students, professional performers, and audiences each year.
[35] One example of this is the 5th Avenue High School Musical Theatre Awards which evaluate and honor the performances of student actors and stage hands in
Washington state high school productions. At the end of each school year, a Tony Awards-style ceremony is held which includes high-profile presenters, performances by nominees, and acceptance speeches by the award recipients. The awards ceremony has become a useful scouting event for colleges looking to recruit talent for their drama departments.
[36]
Productions by season
| 2008 - 2009 Season [37]
|
| Show
| Production Type
| Run Dates
| Starring
|
| Shrek the musical
[38] [39]
| Pre-Broadway World Premiere
| August 14 - September 21
| Brian d'Arcy James [40]
|
| The Drowsy Chaperone
| National Tour
| October 28 - November 16
|
|
| 7 Brides for 7 Brothers
| Locally Produced
| December 3 - December 28
|
|
| Memphis
| Locally Produced
| January 27 - February 15
|
|
| Hello, Dolly!
| Locally Produced
| March 8 - March 29
|
|
| Sunday in the Park with George
| Locally Produced
| April 21 - May 10
|
|
| Grease
| National Tour
| May 12 - May 30
|
|
| 2007 - 2008 Season [41]
|
| Show
| Production Type
| Run Dates
| Starring
|
| Lone Star Love
| Locally Produced
| September 8 - September 30
| Randy Quaid
|
| Into The Woods
| Locally Produced
| October 19 - September 10
|
|
| Whistle Down the Wind
| National Tour
| November 13 - December 2
|
|
| Jersey Boys
| National Tour
| December 5 - January 12
|
|
| Mame
| Locally Produced
| February 9 - March 2
| Dee Hoty [42]
|
| Cabaret
| Locally Produced
| March 25 - April 13
|
|
Season Notes:
Lone Star Love
was originally scheduled to premiere on Broadway following its run at the 5th, but was canceled due to complications with star Randy Quaid. [43]
|
| 2006 - 2007 Season [44]
|
| Show
| Production Type
| Run Dates
| Starring
|
| Bombay Dreams
| National Tour
| September 12 - October 1
|
|
| Company
| Locally Produced
| October 17 - November 1
| Hugh Panaro
|
| White Christmas
| Locally Produced
| November 28 - December 17
| Michael Gruber
|
| Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story
| Locally Produced
| February 14 - March 4
| Billy Joe Huels
|
| Camelot
| National Tour
| March 20 - April 8
| Michael York
|
| Edward Scissorhands
| National Tour
| April 25 - May 13
|
|
| West Side Story
| Locally Produced
| May 29 - June 17
|
|
Season Notes:
A 5th Avenue original musical Cry-Baby
(based on the Jonny Depp movie), originally scheduled for the fourth spot in the season, was replaced by Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story
. [45]
|
| 2005 - 2006 Season [46]
|
| Show
| Production Type
| Run Dates
| Starring
|
| The King and I
| National Tour
| September 20 - October 9
| Lucy Lawless
|
| Sweeney Todd
| Locally Produced
| October 25 - November 13
| Allen Fitzpartick
|
| The Sound of Music
| Locally Produced
| November 29 - December 18
|
|
| The Wedding Singer
| Pre-Broadway World Premiere
| January 31 - February 19
| Stephen Lynch
|
| Wonderful Town
| Locally Produced
| March 21 - April 9
|
|
| Pippin
| Locally Produced
| May 9 - May 28
|
|
| Les Misérables
| National Tour
| May 24 - June 4
|
|
Season Notes:
Dr. Dolittle
, originally scheduled for the third spot in the season, was replaced by The Sound of Music
. [47] Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story
, originally scheduled for the fifth spot in the season, was replaced by The Wedding Singer
before the season began. [48] The National Tour of Les Misérables
was added to the end of the season for a special two week engagement. [49]
|
| 2004 - 2005 Season [50]
|
| Show
| Production Type
| Run Dates
| Starring
|
| Hairspray
| National Tour
| September 7 - September 26
|
|
| Smokey Joe's Cafe
| Locally Produced
| October 19 - November 7
|
|
| Peter Pan
| National Tour
| December 1 - December 19
| Cathy Rigby
|
| Singin' in the Rain
| Locally Produced
| February 13 - March 5
|
|
| Miss Saigon
| National Tour
| April 5 - April 24
|
|
| Gentlemen Prefer Blondes
| Locally Produced Concert Staging
| May 13 - May 15
| Lucy Lawless & Faith Prince
|
| Princesses
| Pre-Broadway World Premiere
| August 9 - August 28
|
|
Season Notes:
We Will Rock You
the musical (based on the music of Queen), originally scheduled for the sixth spot in the season, was replaced by a concert staging of Gentlemen Prefer Blondes
which ran for three days only. [51] The Pre-Broadway World Premiere of Princesses
was added to the end of the season shortly after We Will Rock You
was canceled. [52] [53]
|
| Seasons prior to 2004 - 2005 [54]
|
2003 – 2004
- The Rocky Horror Show
- Flower Drum Song
- The Wizard of Oz
- A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum
- Dreamgirls
- Thoroughly Modern Millie
, National Tour
- Yankee Doodle Dandy!
, World Premiere
| 2002 – 2003
- Hairspray
, Pre-Broadway World Premiere
- Blast!
, National Tour
- The Full Monty
, National Tour
- A Chorus Line
- My Fair Lady
- Les Misérables
, National Tour
- Hair
- 42nd Street
, National Tour
|
2001 – 2002
- A Little Night Music
- The Prince And The Pauper
- Kiss Me, Kate
, National Tour
- The Most Happy Fella
- Hair
| 2000 – 2001
- Parade
, National Tour
- Anything Goes
- Barry Manilow’s Copacabana
, National Tour
- 1776
- Gypsy
, Starring Judy Kaye
|
1999
- Camelot
- Titanic
, National Tour
- Guys & Dolls
- Footloose
, National Tour
| 1999 – 2000
- Les Misérables
, National Tour
- Grand Hotel
- The Secret Garden
- Martin Guerre
, Pre-Broadway World Premiere
- The Phantom Of The Opera
, National Tour
|
1997 – 1998
- Les Misérables
, National Tour
- Peter Pan
, National Tour Starring Cathy Rigby
- Hot Shoe Shuffle
- Victor/Victoria
- Two For The Show
, Starring Tommy Tune & Sandy Duncan
| 1996 – 1997
- Music Of The Night
, National Tour
- Me & My Girl
- Singin' in the Rain
- Disney’s Beauty And The Beast
, National Tour
- The King And I
, National Tour
|
1995 – 1996
- Man Of La Mancha
, Starring John Cullum
- The Music Man
- Kiss of the Spider Woman
, National Tour Starring Chita Rivera
- 42nd Street
- Fiddler On The Roof, National Tour Starring Theodore Bikel
- Carousel
, Royal National Theatre Production
- Les Misérables
, National Tour
| 1994 – 1995
- Crazy for You
, National Tour
- The Wizard of Oz
- Jekyll & Hyde
, Pre-Broadway World Premiere
- Follies
|
1993 – 1994
- Will Rogers Follies
, National Tour Starring Mac Davis
- Cinderella
- South Pacific
- Kismet
, Starring Patrice Munsel
| 1992 – 1993
- Les Misérables
, National Tour
- Annie Warbucks
, Pre-Broadway World Premiere
- The Phantom Of The Opera
, Third National Touring Company Originating In Seattle
- Brigadoon
- Sayonara
|
1991 – 1992
- Kopit & Yeston’s Phantom
, Starring Richard White
- Here's Love
- West Side Story
- Paint Your Wagon
, Starring Roy Clark
| 1990 – 1991
- The Desert Song
, Starring Richard White
- Oliver!
, Starring Davy Jones
- Les Misérables
, National Tour
- Evita
|
1989 – 1990
- Mame
, Starring Juliet Prowse
- The Unsinkable Molly Brown
, National Tour Starring Debbie Reynolds
- The Sound Of Music
- My Fair Lady
- Jesus Christ Superstar
| 1986 – 1988
- No musicals presented/produced; outside rentals only.
|
1985
- 42nd Street
, National Tour
| 1984
- Nine
, National Tour
- Sugar Babies
, National Tour Starring Ann Miller, Mickey Rooney
- Jerry's Girls
, National Tour Starring Carol Channing, Leslie Uggams & Andrea McArdle
- Steve & Eydie, National Tour
|
1983
- On Your Toes
, National Tour
- Woman of the Year
, National Tour Starring Lauren Bacall
| 1982
- Pirates Of Penzance
, National Tour Starring Peter Noone & James Belushi
- Seven Brides for Seven Brothers
, National Tour Starring Debbie Boone
- Colette
, World Premiere Starring Diana Rigg
- A Day In Hollywood, A Night In The Ukraine
, National Tour
- Doug Henning, National Tour
- Annie
, National Tour
- Hello, Dolly!
, National Tour Starring Carol Channing
- A Chorus Line
, National Tour
- Lena Horne: A Lady And Her Music, National Tour
- Evita
, National Tour
- Show Boat
, National Tour Starring Donald O’Connor
- Children of a Lesser God
, National Tour
- Sugar Babies
, National Tour
|
1981
- The Winslow Boy
, National Tour
- Annie
, National Tour
- West Side Waltz
, National Tour Starring Katharine Hepburn
- Camelot
, National Tour Starring Richard Harris
- Little Johnny Jones
, National Tour Starring David Cassidy
- On Golden Pond
, National Tour Starring James Whitmore
- Oklahoma!
, National Tour
- Fiddler On The Roof
, National Tour Starring Herschel Bernardi
| 1980
- Annie
, National Tour
- I Do! I Do!
, National Tour Starring Howard Keel & Jane Powell
- On a Clear Day You Can See Forever
, National Tour Starring Robert Goulet
- A Chorus Line
, National Tour
|
See also
- Chinese architecture
- Forbidden City
- Fox Theater (Spokane, Washington).
- History of film
- Musical theatre
- Broadway theatre
- Vaudeville
References
- Opening of Fifth Avenue Theatre friday is big event: Comfort is first at new theatre
- National Register of Historic Places Inventory -- Nomination Form
- Chinese Mythology
- Opening of Fifth Avenue Theatre friday is big event: Rising orchestra pit is feature of theatre
- Seattle's future is best in nation says theatre man
- The Stimson Legacy: Architecture in the Urban West
- Metropolitan unit complete: Skinner Building ranks high
- Shaping Seattle Architecture: A Historical Guide to the Architects
- 5th Avenue Theatre Press Kit
- Fifth (5th) Avenue Theatre opens in Seattle amid gala celebration on September 24, 1926.
- Advertisement for Fifth Avenue Theatre
- Oliver Wallace at the organ: popular musician back home
- Throng sees theatre open
- Our Historic Theater
- Fifth (5th) Avenue Theatre
- Historic Times
- Founders
- Skinner, Ned (1920-1988) and Kayla (1919-2004)
- Fox Riverside Theatre restoration begins with a cloud of dust
- Change Planned At Skinner Building
- Musical Chronology
- 5th Avenue Theatre renovation begins
- Skinner Building Seismic Upgrades
- National Register Information System (NRIS)
- 5th Avenue Theatre emits silver sparks
- 5th Avenue Theatre 2005-2006 Season Report To The Community
- Historic theaters still in operation
- Non-profit 5th Avenue Theatre succeeds on its own terms
- The Time Is Right For Changes At 5Th Avenue
- New York director is hired for top job at 5th Avenue
- The Time Is Right For Changes At 5Th Avenue
- National spotlight shines on Seattle stages
- 5th Avenue to launch 'Princesses'
- Seattle welcomes 'Hairspray' the movie with a boisterous, bawdy premiere
- About Us
- 5th Avenue Theatre awards honor Washington state's best musical theater stars
- This is BIG! The 5th Avenue Announces An Extra Large 2008-2009 Season With Huge Laughs, Colossal Talent, Epic Love Stories and A World Premiere
- Musical "Shrek" to debut in Seattle
- SHREK THE MUSICAL Exclusive World Premiere at Seattle's 5th Avenue Theatre August 14 - September 21, 2008
- "Shrek the Musical" announces 3 cast members for Seattle show
- Oh What a Season! Jersey Boys, Lone Star Love, Cabaret, Into The Woods and More
- Luly Yang Couture Gown Featured in MAME
- Randy Quaid's Seattle fiasco costs him future stage roles
- New "Cry-Baby," "Scissorhands" highlight season at 5th Avenue
- Seattle World Premiere of Cry-Baby Delayed. Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story Added to Season
- 5th Avenue Theatre's 2005-2006 season
- The Sound of Music Replaces Doctor Dolittle as The 5th Avenue Theatre’s Holiday Musical
- 5th Avenue Theatre's 2005-2006 season
- Legendary Les Miserables Returns for Final Seattle Engagement
- 'Hairspray' will return to 5th Ave. next season
- Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, In Concert Starring Lucy Lawless, Faith Prince
- New Musical Princesses Goes From Seattle Direct-to-Broadway!
- Arts briefs: 'Princesses' will debut at 5th Ave.
- Show Archives