Music Box Theatre
902 Broadway,
Tacoma,
WA
902 Broadway,
Tacoma,
WA
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Tacoma’s grand opera house, the Tacoma Theater, was built in 1889 by the Tacoma Opera House Company and opened Jan. 13, 1890. The elaborate Tudor-style building covered a full city block.
A three-manual Robert Morton theatre pipe organ was installed in the 1920s.
It was remodeled for motion pictures and renamed the Broadway Theater in 1927. More than 20,000 people attended the grand opening on Feb. 4, 1927.
It was renamed the Music Box Theater in 1933. The building was destroyed in a spectacular fire on April 30, 1963. About 100 people were attending a showing of Alfred Hitchcock’s “The Birds” when the fire broke out.
While a movie theater, the Broadway/Music Box attracted big name stars like Ronald Reagan, Lassie, the Barrymores, Al Jolson, and many more.
Contributed by
Kate
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Recent comments (view all 10 comments)
This page at the City of Tacoma’s web site has information about this theater, and has two small photographs of it, including one of the building in flames on May 1st, 1963.
The name of the architect is given as J.M. Wood of Chicago, assisted by A.F. Heide, with exterior design by John Galen Howard and interiors by Sydney Lowell. The 1927 renovation was by architects Heath, Grove & Bell.
“On the evening of May 1st, 1963 fire destroyed the Music Box Theatre, originally known as The Tacoma Theatre and a downtown Tacoma landmark since 1890, causing damage that may amount to one million dollars or more.
The Tacoma Theatre’s extravagant opening January 13th, 1890 heralded 73 years of entertainment for the people of Tacoma. Situated in the center of downtown Tacoma, the theatre was considered the heart of the huge 9th and Broadway landmark.
For 38 years the greatest of the entertainment world graced its huge stage. Names as Henery Irving, David Warfield, Lily Langtry, Lillian Russell, Maude Adams, Otis Skinner, The Barrymores, Walker Whiteside, Harry Lauder, Kolb & Dill, Al Jolson and many, many more."
(from http://www.districtone.com/end1964.htm)
Here is a 1907 photo:
http://tinyurl.com/285qyq
This is a photo of the fire at the Music Box Theater. Date given for photo is April 30, 1963.
Here are links to scans of my grandmother’s program from The Tacoma when she saw Anna Pavlowa’s farewell performance there in the 1920s.
View link
View link
View link
Thanks for sharing the program. Additional photos can be seen here.
Great additional photos! Thanks for the link. So nice to see where my Gram was for a performance she never forgot and always talked about.
Nice picture of the fire,I like the name Music Box Theatre.
Some photos and history on the PSTOS website.
View link
Here’s a 1925 picture of the stage.
http://tinyurl.com/6efkgel