Pantages Theater – Los Angeles
By: Paul Benevich
There are few places in Los Angeles as iconic as the Pantages Theater located adjacent to the storied Hollywood and Vine. When you walk into the Pantages theater you feel as if you are being transported into the 1930s. A night out at the Pantages is so much more than watching a great production, it’s also about immersing yourself in one of the most beautiful theaters ever built with a history that is as compelling as the shows you are attending.
For a calendar of shows click
here.
The architecture
The interior of the Pantages is stunning with its classic Art Deco style consisting of trapezoidal, zigzagged and triangular shapes, chevron patterns, stepped forms, sweeping curves, and sunburst motifs. The moment you pass through the doors of the theater you are instantly transported into another era. The entrance hall of the theater has beautiful staircases on either side to take you to the balcony seating.
If you are fortunate enough to attend a show at the Pantages, make sure you take time to relish the exquisite interior design details. Explore the exotic figures on the walls and look to the ceilings at the grand Art Deco-styled chandeliers both in the entrance into the theater as well as in the theater itself. The level of detail is impressive. Each time I visit the Pantages I take time before the show, during intermission, and after the show to consume its beauty. It’s truly is spectacular
History overview
The theater opened on June 4, 1930, with great fanfare and throughout the years has played an important role in the entertainment capital as any building in Los Angeles. The theatre's price tag in 1930 was $1.25M and was the last movie place to be built in Hollywood and the last venue erected by vaudeville circuit owner Alexander Pantages who at the height of his empire owned 84 theatres.
The theater started as a movie house with vaudeville acts between movies. As the depression continued the theater became an all-movie venue since the vaudeville acts were too expensive.
Howard Hughes purchased the theater in 1949 and it was during his ownership the theater became host to the academy of awards between 1950-1960 exposing this wonderful venue to the world. Its hosts included such notables as Fred Astaire, Danny Kaye, Bob Hope, and Jerry Lewis.
In 1965 The theater was sold to Pacific Theater and in 1977
Nederlander Organization partnered with Pacific Theater and invested in a substantial renovation to become “the place” for live theater in Los Angeles.
In 2000 the Pantages underwent another major renovation and is now one of the city's highest-grossing venues for live stage theater, hosting great productions such as The Lion King, The Book of Mormon, Hamilton, and Wicked.
Dinner and show
The Pantages is located right on Hollywood Blvd close to a dozen or so great restaurants. So make a night of it and have cocktails and drinks before or after the show at the W Hotel (Delphine); Wood & Vine; Katsuya Hollywood; Jane Q; or St. Felix Hollywood.
For more restaurants close to the Pantages Theater click
here.
Hollywood Walk of Fame
The Hollywood Walk of Fame runs directly in front of the Pantages Theater. So if you are visiting Los Angeles think of arriving a few hours before the show and take in the ambiance, walk 9 blocks from the Pantages Theater past star-studded names along Hollywood Blvd to the Dolby Theatre, the famed TCL Chinese Theatre, or check out the Guinness Book of World Records Museum or the Hollywood Wax Museum.
For more ideas on what to do near the Pantages Theater click here.
For a calendar of events and to purchase tickets for the Pantages click
here.
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