Moore Theatre
1932 Second Avenue,
Seattle,
WA
98121
1932 Second Avenue,
Seattle,
WA
98121
6 people
favorited this theater
The Moore Theatre opened on December 28, 1907 and was designed by architect Edwin W. Houghton, with an original seating capacity of 2,212. It has also been known as the President Theatre and Moore Egyptian Theatre.
Contributed by
William Gabel
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Recent comments (view all 32 comments)
Another photo of the Moore Theater can be seen here.
This is a June 2008 photo.
The Moore history notes that the segregated “gallery” has been removed. No, this “gallery” was the 2nd balcony, which is still there – but friends who’ve been going to the Moore for years are often surprised when I point it out, they never noticed it. A few of the lights in its dome’s stained glass still function. This balcony has a ridiculously steep rake that must be experienced to be believed, and it is not normally used due to the only access being a long staircase. From just inside the entrance ( after going through the balcony doot on the left) one must climb a narrow, steep flight of stairs, ending at a landing (where resides the bay window on the north side of the building), do a dogleg turn and go up a second flight, then do at least five switchback flights to reach the top. I saw Alan Parsons a few years back and, despite unusually light attendance, this was open – the only time I’ve seen it open – and I made certain to go up. As I wear a top hat and opera cloak to the theatre, I hope I inspired more ghost stories, though I’m certain the Moore has its share of real ones!
The Moore really needs restoration; the box seats have been removed, the second balcony looks worn-out (not that it sees much use, due to fire codes, see above) and ugly 70s chandeliers with olive-green “crystal” have been hung. Many light fixtures are missing, and everything but the lobby floor is under many coats of thick, white paint. I don’t believe it ever had a pipe organ at all. This place is a diamond-in-the-rough, and could really shine again. But despite its decline, it’s still a fine house for shows.
This is a circa 1910 photo.
Here is a 2009 photo.
A February 2009 marquee shot is here.
This is a 1982 photo.
Here is a September 2009 photo.
according to Wikipedia’s info: “Seating 2,436 in its original configuration, the Moore was one the largest theatres in the U.S. at the time.” Perhaps Cinema treasures is not taking into account the 2nd balcony, which was racially segregated from the rest of the house and has not been used for decades.
Cinema Treasures should double-check their info.
The Moore Theatre was never called the Orpheum, Old or otherwise. It presented Orpheum circuit vaudeville shows from 1916 or 1917 until 1927, but the theater’s name was never changed. The original Seattle Orpheum was an entirely different theater, opened in 1911 at Third Avenue and Madison Street. I’ve been unable to discover what became of the old Orpheum after the new Orpheum opened in 1927. It might have operated for awhile under another name, or it might have simply closed. By 1940, it was being used as storage space, and it was demolished in 1949.