| The founder of the Pantages "empire" was born | | | | world-famous example of Art Deco architecture, |
| Pericles Pantages, but having great admiration for | | | | and it is capable of hosting theatrical |
| Alexander the Great, he changed his first name, | | | | extravaganzas as well as rock concerts and, of |
| not without some evidence of foresight! His first | | | | course, the star-studded Academy Awards. The |
| theatre was built in 1914 in Winnipeg, Manitoba for | | | | interior d'cor alone is enough to elicit awe-struck |
| the showcasing of vaudeville acts, and Alexander | | | | admiration. Since its operation was taken over by |
| Pantages the Greek entrepreneur began his | | | | the Nederlander Organization, more than $10 |
| Vaudeville Circuit. | | | | million has been invested in re-creating and |
| Before he stopped building, there were 500 | | | | improving the original grandeur and comfort of |
| Pantages 'playhouses' on the circuit, ranging from | | | | this Hollywood landmark. |
| Canada to the whole of the United States west | | | | Since the Los Angeles Pantages was built in 1929 |
| of the Mississippi River. Most have fallen into | | | | for a 'mere' $1.25 million, it has paid for itself a |
| neglect and decay, but a few shining examples | | | | few times! The Lion King alone, in its more than |
| carry on the Pantages name. In Minneapolis in | | | | two-year run from 2000 to 2003, brought in over |
| 1916 the Pantages was the first public building in | | | | $142 million. Tickets to the Pantages in L.A. offer |
| the city to be 'air conditioned', with ice as the | | | | more than just the show on stage, too. Visitors |
| coolant. For future reference, this one cost about | | | | can just sit back in luxurious comfort and marvel |
| $15,000 to build! Among the few that have | | | | at the glorious display of architecture and stunning |
| survived in splendor through the economic swings | | | | decor - gold leaf included! |
| of the intervening years are the theatres in | | | | The theatre has been host to many of the most |
| Toronto, Canada and in Tacoma, Washington. | | | | spectacular and thrilling performances, both |
| The last theatre ever built by Alexander Pantages | | | | theatrical and musical, that the world has ever |
| is the one which still occupies its favored site at | | | | seen on stage. It is a favorite location for the |
| the intersection of Hollywood and Vine in | | | | filming of movie scenes, and has even hosted |
| Hollywood, U.S.A. Like all the other theatres, this | | | | rock concerts. It also has the prestige of having |
| one was designed to house Pantages Vaudeville | | | | been the site of five of the highest-grossing |
| acts, but by then the shows offered were a | | | | weeks in all of L.A.'s entertainment history. |
| mixture of live acts and the then-emerging | | | | The Los Angeles Pantages continues to make |
| "talkies" or moving pictures with sound. Due to | | | | history to this day. It is currently offering |
| the Great Depression, cutbacks had to be made, | | | | Phantom of the Opera, incidentally the |
| and the theatre cut back on live shows to offer | | | | longest-running play in the history of theatrical |
| mostly first run movies. | | | | productions. In coming months, fortunate |
| A widely publicized trial in 1929 led to the downfall | | | | theatregoers will be able to procure tickets to |
| of the 'Pantages Empire'. He sold everything at | | | | such gems as Grease, Rain, Mamma Mia! and |
| rock- bottom -dollar and died soon after. In 1949 | | | | Rent. |
| it became the RKO Pantages when Howard | | | | Anyone who appreciates the mix of art and |
| Hughes bought it and made it part of his | | | | glamour embodied in the Los Angeles Pantages |
| corporation. The theatre took on added glamour | | | | (or incidentally is hoping to gain office space in this |
| in the 1950's as it hosted the Academy Award | | | | epicenter of entertainment) will be thrilled with the |
| Ceremonies for 10 years. It was also host to | | | | latest news. The theatre was originally intended to |
| such grand openings as Judy Garland's A Star Is | | | | have 12 stories, with office space on the upper |
| Born, and many other glittering events. When it | | | | floors. Construction was halted, like many other |
| closed as a movie theatre in 1977 and re-opened | | | | projects, by the onset of the Great Depression, |
| with the stage show Bubbling Brown Sugar, its | | | | but plans are underway to complete the design as |
| course was pretty well charted. | | | | it was meant to be. Something to look forward |
| The Los Angeles Pantages Theatre is a | | | | to, indeed! |