 5th Avenue Theatre marquee, Holiday 2016 | |
 | |
| Address | 1308 5th Avenue Seattle, Washington 98101 |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 47°36′33″N122°20′02″W / 47.6092°N 122.3340°W /47.6092; -122.3340 |
| Owner | University of Washington |
| Operator | 5th Avenue Theatre Association |
| Capacity | 2,130 |
| Construction | |
| Built | 1925 (1925) |
| Opened | September 24, 1926; 98 years ago (1926-09-24) |
| Architect | R.C. Reamer |
| Website | |
| www | |
Skinner Building / Fifth Avenue Theater | |
   | |
| Area | 1 acre (0.40 ha) |
| Architectural style | Late 19th and 20th century revivals, Italian Renaissance |
| NRHP reference No. | 78002756[1] |
| Added to NRHP | November 28, 1978 |
The5th Avenue Theatre is alandmarktheatre located in theSkinner Building, in thedowntown core ofSeattle,Washington, United States. It has hosted a variety of theatre productions and motion pictures since it opened in 1926. The building and land are owned by theUniversity of Washington and were once part of the original campus. The theatre operates as a venue for nationally touring Broadway and original shows by the non-profit 5th Avenue Theatre Association.
The 2,130-seat theatre is the resident home to the 5th Avenue Musical Theatre Company, and employs over 600 actors, musicians, directors, choreographers, designers, technicians, stage hands, box office staff, and administrators, making it the largest theatre employer in thePuget Sound region. A non-profit, the theatre company is supported by individual and corporate donations, government sources, and box office ticket sales.
The 5th's subscriber season programming includes six to seven shows per year, a mix of locally produced revivals of musical theatre classics, and premieres of bound-for-Broadway shows, and national touring musicals. The 5th Avenue Theatre has established a tradition of being a "testing ground" for new musicals before they make their debut on Broadway, launching hits such asJekyll & Hyde,Hairspray, andThe Wedding Singer. The theatre also hosts a variety of special events, and offers education and outreach programs to school-age children and adults reaching over 61,000 students, professional performers, and audiences each year.
Located in theSkinner Building, a historic office block ranging from five to eight stories with retail shops on the ground level, the theatre is surrounded on three sides, with its entry facing itsnamesake avenue. In addition to anauditorium with an original seating capacity of 3,000, the theatre contains a grand entry hall, and amezzanine that once featured atea room in addition to awaiting room and women's lounge.[2]
Robert C. Reamer's design for the 5th Avenue Theatre was modeled to reproduce some of the features of historic and well-known Beijing landmarks. The Norwegian artist Gustav Liljestrom executed the design based on his visit to China, and onChinesische Architecktur, published in 1925, an illustrated account of German architectErnst Boerschmann's travels in China.[3]
The ornate historicalChinese style of the theatre distinguishes itself from theNeo-Renaissance exterior of the Skinner Building. Only at the street entry under themarquee does the viewer get a preview of the interior design. Here, adorning the ceiling areplaster representations of woodbrackets,beams, and carvedreliefs painted in apolychromatic scheme and decorated with stenciled dragons and flower patterns. Carved cloud shapes screen light fixtures to create an indirect lighting effect as the viewer approaches the wooden, brass knobbed entry doors. The original central free-standing box office was replaced by the current box office located to the side of the entry as part of a 1979 renovation.[3] The originalImperial guardian lions (Ruì Shī), commonly called foo dogs or foo lions, originally located outside the entry were moved inside as part of the 1979 renovation.
_2007-08.jpg)
The interior architecture of the theatre is an "excellent imitation of Chinese wooden temple construction".[3] The two story rectangular lobby features red, stenciled columns wrapped in plaster rising to a timbered roof structure of decoratively painted beams supporting a canopy of bamboo, also imitated in plaster. The original pair of guardian lions, both male, guard the stairway to a second level gallery that serves the theatre balcony. In addition to the Imperial guard lions, other original furnishings, light fixtures, and decoration remain intact.
The decorative details continue in the 2,130-seat auditorium, but the highlight and focal decorative feature is the octagonalcaisson from which a sculpted five-toedImperial Chinese dragon springs. A large chandelier of glass hangs from the dragon's mouth, in reference to the Chinese symbol of a dragon disgorging flaming pearls.[4] One claim puts the size of this caisson at twice the size of the model on which it was based in the throne room of theHall of Supreme Harmony in theForbidden City.[5] The opening night program spoke effusively of it:
_2007-08.jpg)
... Its most imposing feature is the great dome...its symbolic themes borrowed from Chinese legends, its motifs from Chinese poetry. Coiled within an azure sphere and surrounded by glowing hues of cloud red, emblematic of calamity and welfare; blue of rain; green symbolic of plaque; black of flood; and gold of prosperity—is the Great Dragon, guardian genius of the place, his presence shadowed and multiplied in varying forms throughout the structure. On the huge beams surrounding and supporting the dome are five-clawed dragons—the Emperor's emblem—spitting fire in pursuit of the Jewel, rendered in the shape of a disc emitting effulgent rays, and symbolic of Omnipotence.[3]
The dragonmotif is repeated in the radialcoffers of the caisson and the timbered coffers throughout the theatre. The Imperial dragon is accompanied by the symbol of the Empress, theChinese phoenix(Fèng huáng), sometimes called Ho-Ho or Ho-Oh Bird from the Japanese. This personal symbol of the Empress is also repeated throughout the theatre, but most prominently in relief as part of the grills above false balconies that once screened organ pipes. In addition to these symbols, orange blossoms, chrysanthemums, and lotus flowers appear throughout the theatre. The highly decoratedproscenium arch andsafety curtain maintain the Chinese design influence.[3]
Beyond the decorative features of the building, the 5th Avenue Theatre also contained notable technical features when originally built. An ascendingorchestra pit and independentWurlitzer organ platform allowed the musicians to be raised up to main stage height or to orchestra pit level from the basement below.[6] The ventilation system hadthermostatic controls throughout the building, and allowed the air to be 'washed' prior to its introduction into the venue at outlets under every third seat.[2]
PrecedingGrauman's Chinese Theater in Hollywood, the 5th Avenue Theatre "has been called the largest and most authentic example of traditional Chinese timber architecture and decoration outside of Asia."[3] In addition, its association with architectRobert Reamer, whose other notable works include the nationally knownOld Faithful Inn inYellowstone National Park, as well as many important buildings in theArt Deco style add to its significance.[7] The Skinner Building was added to the National Register of Historic Places on November 28, 1978.[1]
The president and general manager of Pacific Northwest Theatres, Inc., Harry C. Arthur, believed Seattle to be a place of growing importance in the motion picture industry in the mid-1920s, and consequently as the place to invest for the long term.[8] Arthur's company absorbed a competing chain of 40 theatres by 1926, and sought further expansion. A large holder of the theatre company's stock and debt was C. D. Stimson who sat on the board of directors of both Pacific Northwest Theatres and the Metropolitan Building Company, developer of what became known as theMetropolitan Tract. Stimson promoted the establishment of a theatre district like that which had developed around a theatre he had built in Los Angeles, California.[9] The planned Skinner Building with a theatre owned by Arthur's company would complete the Stimson development of the Metropolitan Tract.[10]
The architect,Robert Reamer, had joined the Metropolitan Building Company after World War I and as their house architect designed the building, inside and out.[7][9] In creating the 5th Avenue Theatre, Reamer was joined by his colleague, Joseph Skoog, of Reamer's office and Gustav Liljestrom, of the S. & G. Gump Company of San Francisco.[9]
Construction began in October 1925 with construction taking 11 months[10] and costing $1.5 million.[11]
_1926-09.jpg)
The theatre celebrated its grand opening on September 24, 1926, with an opening unit program that included both film and livevaudeville performances.[12] The opening program included the silent filmYoung April, Fanchon and Marco's stage presentationThe Night Club, and Lipschultz and his Syncopated Soloists.[13] Oliver Wallace, a popular local musician and composer, returned fromPortland, Oregon, to be the accompanying organist for opening night. Wallace had been the first theatre organist in a Seattle motion picture house.[14]
Opening night was also marked by festivities outside the theatre. Seven blocks of downtown Seattle around the theatre were closed to street car and automobile traffic. Lured by free street car, bus, and taxicab rides, thousands of people packed Fifth Avenue between Seneca Street and Pike Street, University and Union Streets.The Seattle Times reported:
It is doubtful that any Friday night in Seattle's history saw more people circulating through all the downtown streets than were there last night. The density in the center of the activities was such that street cars were diverted...[15]
In the street outside the building a street carnival took place. Living up to the moniker for the theater's marquee, "the Magic Sign of a Wonderful Time," spotlights scanned the night sky, banks ofKlieg lights illuminated the streets outside the theater, and flares were shot from the roofs of nearby buildings.[16] Additionally, dance bands were placed at the closed intersections to provide entertainment and, using giant screens to project the words, a sing-along was orchestrated on Fifth Avenue in front of the theatre. An estimated crowd of between 50,000 and 100,000 people participated in the events.[12]
Following the grand opening, the theatre served as a venue for vaudeville and film, and following the decline of vaudeville as a movie palace until the 1970s. With the economic recession, theadvent of television, and movie complex development in the suburbs, crowds dwindled and the theatre struggled to stay open. It was forced to close its doors in 1978 along with the nearby Orpheum theatre. A variety of re-use possibilities were proposed for the theatre including a Chinese restaurant, a triplex movie theater, an office building, or a shopping center.[5][11][16][17] The city of Seattle was unable to protect the theatre as a designated landmark because of its unique position on the site of the original territorial university grounds owned by the state of Washington.[18]
_2007-08).jpg)
In 1979, 43 business leaders formed the non-profit 5th Avenue Theatre Association and underwrote a US$2.6 million loan to save the theatre.[19] Among these wasNed Skinner of the shipbuilding family who was an active patron of the theatre.[20] Architect Richard McCann oversaw the restoration efforts.[21]
Several changes were made during the renovation. The vertical marquee which had marked the theatre's presence from 1926 to 1980, was removed,[22] the orchestra pit and auditorium seating were rebuilt, the dressing rooms moved, and the technical systems updated. However, the furniture, fixtures and interior signage were retained. Even the paint was carefully restored to its original luster. The renovation made it suitable again for live performances and filled Seattle's need for a touring Broadway musical venue. Renovation work was completed without federal, state, or local funds.[11]
June 16, 1980, marked the theater's rebirth and a new chapter in Seattle's arts community. At the Grand Opening Gala for the renovated theatre, actressHelen Hayes christened the stage with a kiss and declared the 5th "a national treasure." Beginning on July 3 the 5th presentedAnnie, the first touring Broadway musical to appear at the theatre. The sold-out show ran for 10 weeks with a total of 77 performances.[23]
The 5th Avenue Theatre continues to thrive with the assistance of many generous donors and volunteers.[5][17]
Since the renovation, the 5th Avenue Theatre has become one of Seattle's most established theatres. In 1989, The 5th Avenue Musical Theatre Company was established as the resident non-profit theatre company.[19]
On February 28, 2001, theNisqually earthquake rocked the 5th Avenue Theatre. At the time, actors were on stage rehearsing the musical1776. The theatre suffered minimal damages with no structural damage from the quake.[11] Earthquake repairs included removal and replacement of 72 plaster ceiling supports and the repair of numerous cracks and damaged decorative plaster pieces in the ceiling. Contractors had to install scaffolding tall enough to reach the highest interior crevice in the ceiling eight stories up—the first time that area had been reached in 75 years. The chandeliers had to be lowered for repair and maintenance.[24] As part of the repair work,Turner Construction provided services for seismic upgrades to the Skinner Building.[25]
In November 2009 a new vertical marquee, similar to the sign that was removed as part of the 1980 renovation, was installed. The marquee was made possible through a donation from Christabel Gough, daughter of Broadway producer and early 5th Avenue promoterRoger L. Stevens. The new sign features a design inspired by both earlier marquees and the theatre's interior, uses LED lights for energy conservation, and includes a revolving "5th" sign at the marquee's top.[26]
From the renovation in 1980 until 1985 the non-profit 5th Avenue Theatre successfully operated as a venue for touring Broadway shows. As the United States went through an economic downturn from 1985 to 1989 there was a shortage of touring shows for venues like the 5th. Consequently, many of the country's Broadway houses went unused for extended periods of time. However, the 5th remained open during these years with a reduced staff and was used for community events and local promoters.[23][27][28]
This situation forced the theatre to move beyond merely being a presenter of touring musicals. In 1989, the non-profit 5th Avenue Theatre established a resident theatre company, dubbed The 5th Avenue Musical Theatre Company, to produce musicals locally. Since the theatre company's establishment, the 5th's yearly subscriber season programming has included 6 to 7 shows: national touring musicals, locally produced revivals of musical theatre classics, and premieres of bound-for-Broadway shows. With 150 musical theater performances each fall-to-spring subscriber season which attract over 30,000 subscribers and average ticket sales of 300,000 tickets annually, the 5th ranks among the nation's largest musical theater companies.[24][29][30][31]
The musical company employs over 600 actors, musicians, directors, choreographers, designers, technicians, stage hands, box office staff, and administrators, making the 5th the largest theatre employer in thePuget Sound region.[17][30] A non-profit, the theatre company is supported by individual and corporate donations, government sources, and box office ticket sales.[29]
Frank M. Young was the first executive director of the 5th Avenue Musical Theatre Company. From 1989 to 1999 a collaborative partnership existed between the 5th and Houston'sTheatre Under the Stars (TUTS) where Young also served as executive director.[31][32][33] This partnership produced 10 seasons of musical theater, including both national tours and self-produced musicals. On October 17, 1989, the first 5th Avenue/TUTS self-produced musical was presented:Mame, starringJuliet Prowse. In 1995, after premiering at the 5th,Jekyll & Hyde became the first 5th Avenue Theatre production to open on Broadway in April 1997. The show was produced in cooperation with Houston's Alley Theatre and TUTS.[11]
In August 2000 the 5th's partnership with TUTS ended asDavid Armstrong joined the 5th Avenue Musical Theatre Company becoming its first resident Producing Artistic Director launching a new era of collaboration with leading musical theater companies and producers across the country.[29][31]
Since the creation of the 5th Avenue Musical Theatre Company in 1989, the 5th has established a tradition of being a "testing ground" for new musicals before they make their debut on Broadway. Since 2001, the 5th has premiered 17 new works, nine of which have subsequently opened on Broadway.
We've become a very sought-after partner for developing Broadway musicals.[34]
— David Armstrong,Producing Artistic Director
Some notable musicals shown to Seattle audiences at the 5th Avenue Theatre prior to their success on Broadway include:Jekyll & Hyde in 1995 which wasnominated for 4 Tony Awards,Hairspray in 2002 which won8 Tony Awards, andThe Wedding Singer in 2006 which had4 Tony Award nominations.[35] Thefilm adaptation ofHairspray premiered at the 5th on July 16, 2007 (4 days prior to its nationwide release) as an acknowledgement of the 5th's role in the musical's success on Broadway.[36] The "testing ground" tradition continued in the 2008–2009 season with the pre-Broadway world premieres ofShrek the Musical,[37] andMemphis. Both went on to win Tony awards, Shrek winning one in 2009 and Memphis winning four, including Best Musical, in 2010. In the 2009–2010 season, they premieredCatch Me If You Can,[38] which premiered on Broadway in the spring of 2011. In their 2010–2011 season, they premieredA Christmas Story: The Musical, based on thefilm of the same name, and more recently the premiere ofAladdin, based on theDisney film "Aladdin". In the 2011–2012 season,First Date premiered as a co-production withACT starring Eric Ankrim before heading to Broadway to starZachary Levi andKrysta Rodriguez.
Along with their successful pre-Broadway tryouts, the 5th Avenue Theatre has also performed two musicals,Princesses in 2005 andLone Star Love in 2007, which were originally scheduled to go to Broadway, but did not due to poor reviews. They also announced the premiere of a musical adaptation ofCry-Baby, in 2007, but it was later replaced withBuddy: The Buddy Holly Story.
The theatre also hosts a variety of special events, and offers a number of education and outreach programs to school-age children and adults reaching over 61,000 students, professional performers, and audiences each year.[30] One example of this is the 5th Avenue High School Musical Theatre Awards which evaluate and honor the performances of student actors and stage hands inWashington state high school productions. At the end of each school year, a Tony Awards-style ceremony is held which includes high-profile presenters, performances by nominees, and acceptance speeches by the award recipients. The awards ceremony has become a useful scouting event for colleges looking to recruit talent for their drama departments.[29][39]
Sister Act,Jersey Boys,Once on This Island, andEvita were planned for the season, but were canceled due to theCOVID-19 pandemic.[48] The 5th Avenue Theatre also planned to includeEvita,Broadway Vacation, The Musical,Shrek The Musical,Godspell,Chilifinger! The Musical, andCome from Away in its 2020–2021 season, but all live performances were canceled until 2022.[49]
| 2016–2017 Season[50] | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Show | Production Type | Run Dates | Starring |
| Man of La Mancha | Locally Produced | October 7–30, 2016 | Rufus Bonds Jr. as Don Quixote, Nova Payton as Aldonza, and Don Darryl Rivera as Sancho Panza.[51] |
| The Little Mermaid | Locally Produced, followed by a 12 city tour | Nov 23 – Dec 31, 2016 | Diana Huey as Ariel, Matthew Kacergis as Prince Eric, Jennifer Allen as Ursula, and Steven Blanchard as King Triton.[52] |
| The Pajama Game | Locally Produced | February 9 – March 5, 2017 | |
| Murder for Two | Co-Production with ACT - A Contemporary Theatre | March 25 – June 4, 2017 | |
| The Secret Garden | Co-Production with DC's The Shakespeare Theatre Company | April 14 – May 6, 2017 | |
| Romy and Michele's High School Reunion | Locally Produced, World Premiere | June 7 – July 2, 2017 | |
| Fun Home | National Tour | July 11–30, 2017 | |
| 2015–2016 Season[50] | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Show | Production Type | Run Dates | Starring |
| Matilda | National Tour | Aug 18 – Sep 6, 2015 | |
| Waterfall | Co-production with Pasadena Playhouse | Oct 1–25, 2015 | Bie Sukrit as Noppon and Laura Griffith as Katherine[53] |
| The Sound of Music | Locally Produced | Nov 24, 2015 – Jan 3, 2016 | Kristen deLohr Helland as Maria[54] |
| How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying | Locally Produced | Jan 28 – Feb 21, 2016 | Eric Ankrim as J. Pierrepont Finch and Sarah Rose Davis as Rosemary[55] |
| Assassins | Co-Production with ACT - A Contemporary Theatre | Feb 27 – May 15, 2016 | Kjerstine Rose Anderson, Nathan Brockett, John Coons, Nick DeSantis, Richard Gray, Laura Griffith, Frederick Hagreen, Louis Hobson, Kendra Kassebaum, Brandon O'Neill, Matt Wolfe, Designed byBrian Sidney Bembridge[56] |
| A Night with Janis Joplin | Locally Produced | March 25 – April 17, 2016 | Kacee Clanton as Janis Joplin[57] |
| Kinky Boots | National Tour | April 27 – May 8, 2016 | |
| Paint Your Wagon | Locally Produced | June 9–30, 2016 | Robert Cuccioli as Ben Rumson, Kendra Kassebaum as Cayla Woodling, Justin Gregory Lopez as Armando, and Kristen deLohr Helland as Jennifer.[58] |
| A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder | National Tour | July 12–31, 2016 | John Rapson as the D'Ysquith Family, and Kevin Massey as Monty Navarro[59] |
| 2014–2015 Season[60] | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Show | Production Type | Run Dates | Starring |
| A Chorus Line | Locally Produced | Sept 3–28, 2014 | Featuring Gabriel Corey, Paul Flanagan, Mallory King, Trina Mills, Taryn Darr, Chryssie Whitehead, Andrew Palermo, Katrina Asmar, and Sarah Rose Davis.[61] |
| Kinky Boots | National Tour | Oct 7–26, 2014 | |
| A Christmas Story | Locally Produced | Nov 25 – Dec 30, 2014 | |
| Carousel | Locally Produced | Feb 5 – Mar 1, 2015 | Brandon O'Neill and Laura Griffith |
| Jacques Brel is Alive and Well and Living in Paris | Co-Production with ACT - A Contemporary Theatre | Mar 7 – May 17, 2015 | Eric Ankrim, Cayman Ilika, Kendra Kassebaum, Timothy McCuen Piggee, Louis Hobson (Mar 7 – Apr 12), Matt Owen (Apr 14 – May 17)[62] |
| Jasper in Deadland | Locally Produced | April 30 – May 24, 2015 | Matt Doyle as Jasper and Sydney Shepherd as Gretchen. |
| Grease | Locally Produced | July 9 – August 2, 2015 | |
Season Notes: A Pre-Broadway production ofSomething Rotten!, originally scheduled for the April/May slot in the season, was replaced byJasper in Deadland.[63] | |||
| 2013–2014 Season[64] | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Show | Production Type | Run Dates | Starring |
| Secondhand Lions | World Premiere | Sept 7 – Oct 6, 2013 | |
| Anything Goes | National Tour | Oct 15 – Nov 3, 2013 | |
| Oliver! | Locally Produced | Nov 29 – Dec 31, 2013 | |
| Monty Python's Spamalot | Locally Produced | Jan 30 – March 2, 2014 | |
| Little Shop of Horrors | Co-produced with ACT—A Contemporary Theatre | March 8 – June 15, 2014 | |
| A Room With a View | Locally Produced | April 15 – May 11, 2014 | |
| The Gershwins' Porgy and Bess | National Tour | June 11–29, 2014 | |
| 2012–2013 Season[65] | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Show | Production Type | Run Dates | Starring |
| Memphis | National Tour | Sept 18 – Oct 7, 2012 | |
| The Addams Family | National Tour | Oct 24 – Nov 11, 2012 | |
| Elf | Locally Produced | Nov 30 – Dec 31, 2012 | |
| Grey Gardens | Locally Produced | Nov 25 – Dec 31, 2012 | |
| The Music Man | Locally Produced | Feb 7 – Mar 10, 2013 | |
| Jersey Boys | National Tour | April 4 – May 13, 2013 | |
| The Pirates of Penzance | Locally Produced | July 11 – Aug 4, 2013 | |
| 2011–2012 Season[65] | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Show | Production Type | Run Dates | Starring |
| Les Misérables | National Tour | Aug 9–22, 2011 | |
| Saving Aimee | Pre-Broadway World Premiere | Sep 30 – Oct 30, 2011 | |
| Cinderella | Locally Produced | Nov 25 – Dec 31, 2011 | |
| First Date | Co-produced with ACT—A Contemporary Theatre | Feb 11 – May 6, 2012 | |
| Oklahoma! | Locally Produced | Feb 3 – March 4, 2012 | |
| Damn Yankees | Co-Production with Paper Mill Playhouse | May 17 – June 5, 2012 | |
| Rent | Locally Produced | July 6 – August 5, 2012 | Jerick Hoffer |
| 2010–2011 Season[66] | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Show | Production Type | Run Dates | Starring |
| In the Heights | National Tour | Sep 28 – Oct 17, 2010 | |
| A Christmas Story, the Musical | Locally Produced | Nov 27 – Dec 19, 2010 | |
| Vanities | Co-produced with ACT - A Contemporary Theatre | Feb 4 – April 3, 2011 | |
| Next to Normal | National tour | Feb 22 – Mar 13, 2011 | |
| 9 to 5 | National Tour | April 5–24, 2011 | |
| Guys and Dolls | Locally Produced | May 17 – June 5, 2011 | |
| Aladdin | Pre-Broadway World Premiere | July 7 – July 31[67] | |
| 2009–2010 Season[68] | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Show | Production Type | Run Dates | Starring |
| Catch Me If You Can | Pre-Broadway World Premiere | July 23 – August 14 | Aaron Tveit,Norbert Leo Butz |
| Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat | Locally Produced | October 13 – November 1 | Anthony Federov |
| White Christmas | Locally Produced | December 1–20 | |
| South Pacific | National Tour | January 29 – February 18 | |
| Legally Blonde | National Tour | February 23 – March 14 | |
| On the Town | Locally Produced | April 13 – May 2 | |
| Candide | Locally Produced | May 25 – June 13 | |
| 2008–2009 Season[69] | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Show | Production Type | Run Dates | Starring |
| Shrek the Musical[37][70] | Pre-Broadway World Premiere | August 14 – September 21 | Brian d'Arcy James, Sutton Foster[71] |
| The Drowsy Chaperone | National Tour | October 28 – November 16 | |
| 7 Brides for 7 Brothers | Locally Produced | December 3–28 | Ed Watts, Laura Griffith |
| Memphis | Pre-Broadway Showing[68] | January 27 – February 15 | Chad Kimball, Montego Glover |
| Hello, Dolly! | Locally Produced | March 8–29 | Jenifer Lewis, Pat Cashman |
| Sunday in the Park with George | Locally Produced | April 21 – May 10 | Hugh Panaro, Billie Wildrick |
| Grease | National Tour | May 12–30 | Taylor Hicks |
| 2007–2008 Season[72] | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Show | Production Type | Run Dates | Starring |
| Lone Star Love | Locally Produced | September 8–30 | Randy Quaid |
| Into The Woods | Locally Produced | October 19 – September 10 | Lisa Estridge |
| Whistle Down the Wind | National Tour | November 13 – December 2 | |
| Jersey Boys | National Tour | December 5 – January 12 | |
| Mame | Locally Produced | February 9 – March 2 | Dee Hoty[73] |
| Cabaret | Locally Produced | March 25 – April 13 | Nick Garrison, Teri Kelly |
Season Notes:Lone Star Love was originally scheduled to premiere on Broadway following its run at the 5th, but was canceled due to complications with starRandy Quaid.[74] | |||
| 2006–2007 Season[75] | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Show | Production Type | Run Dates | Starring |
| Bombay Dreams | National Tour | September 12 – October 1 | |
| Company | Locally Produced | October 17 – November 1 | Hugh Panaro |
| White Christmas | Locally Produced | November 28 – December 17 | Michael Gruber |
| Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story | Locally Produced | February 14 – March 4 | Billy Joe Huels[76] |
| Camelot | National Tour | March 20 – April 8 | Michael York |
| Edward Scissorhands | National Tour | April 25 – May 13 | |
| West Side Story | Locally Produced | May 29 – June 17 | Louis Hobson |
Season Notes: A 5th Avenue original musicalCry-Baby (based on theJohnny Depp movie), originally scheduled for the fourth spot in the season, was replaced byBuddy: The Buddy Holly Story.[76] | |||
| 2005–2006 Season[77] | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Show | Production Type | Run Dates | Starring |
| The King and I | National Tour | September 20 – October 9 | Lucy Lawless |
| Sweeney Todd | Locally Produced | October 25 – November 13 | Carol Swarbrick, Allen Fitzpartick[29] |
| The Sound of Music | Locally Produced | November 29 – December 18 | Kim Huber, Terrence Mann |
| The Wedding Singer | Pre-Broadway World Premiere | January 31 – February 19 | Stephen Lynch |
| Wonderful Town | Locally Produced | March 21 – April 9 | Sarah Rudinoff, Billie Wildrick |
| Pippin | Locally Produced | May 9–28 | Louis Hobson |
| Les Misérables | National Tour | May 24 – June 4 | |
Season Notes:Dr. Dolittle, originally scheduled for the third spot in the season, was replaced byThe Sound of Music.[78]Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story, originally scheduled for the fifth spot in the season, was replaced byThe Wedding Singer before the season began.[79] The National Tour ofLes Misérables was added to the end of the season for a special two-week engagement.[80] | |||
| 2004–2005 Season[81] | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Show | Production Type | Run Dates | Starring |
| Hairspray | National Tour | September 7–26 | |
| Smokey Joe's Cafe | Locally Produced | October 19 – November 7 | |
| Peter Pan | National Tour | December 1–19 | Cathy Rigby |
| Singin' in the Rain | Locally Produced | February 13 – March 5 | |
| Miss Saigon | National Tour | April 5–24 | |
| Gentlemen Prefer Blondes | Locally Produced Concert Staging | May 13–15 | Lucy Lawless &Faith Prince |
| Princesses | Pre-Broadway World Premiere | August 9–28 | |
Season Notes:We Will Rock You the musical (based on the music ofQueen), originally scheduled for the sixth spot in the season, was replaced by a concert staging ofGentlemen Prefer Blondes which ran for three days only.[82] The Pre-Broadway World Premiere ofPrincesses was added to the end of the season shortly afterWe Will Rock You was canceled.[83][84] | |||
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