Rivoli Theatre
1st Avenue and Madison Street,
Seattle,
WA
98104
1st Avenue and Madison Street,
Seattle,
WA
98104
1 person
favorited this theater
Additional Info
Previously operated by: Sterling Theaters, Inc.
Previous Names: Tivoli Theatre, Gaiety Theatre, Oak Theatre, Olympic Theatre, State Theatre, State-Ritz Theatre, Old Seattle Theatre
Nearby Theaters
Opened November 10, 1913 as the Tivoli Theatre, it was a burlesque theatre for many years and artists such as Sophie Tucker and Belle Baker appeared on the stage. It then housed a childrens' circus theatre.
On October 27, 1939 it was a movie theatre known as the Rivoli Theatre and it continued in this use until at least 1950. Later it became a legit stage theatre known as the Old Seattle Theatre and when this folded it reverted to the name Rivoli Theatre again, this time showing adult porn movies. It was demolished in 1970.
Contributed by
KenRoe
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Recent comments (view all 6 comments)
This is from Boxoffice magazine, January 1960:
The Old Seattle Theater Company is the new name of a little theater association which has taken over the Rivoli, which has been closed for the past several months. The building first housed the Tivoli in 1913 and in the years following has been known as the Gaiety, Oak, Olympic and State Ritz. The lessees plan to remodel the old burlesque house and change the entrance from First Avenue to 111 Madison Street.
1969 ad has been posted here. It had two screens at the same time.
This was where the nudie classic “The Immoral Mr. Teas” premiered in May 1959.
In September 1960, this was indeed a legit theater. I was trying to get a date with a 16 year old girl who is now my wife. I did not because she was busy every weekend, dancing in the chorus line of “Damn Yankees” at the Rivoli Theater. Her being a “dancer” at the Rivoli is still part of our fun Seattle history for those who remember it as a Burlesque House.
Uploaded a picture of the Rivoli in the day and during demolition from Seattle Then and Now.
Reopened as Rivoli on October 27th, 1939. Grand opening ad posted.