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Seattle (Paramount) Theatre

Considered the most beautiful theatre built west of Chicago in the early 1900s, the Seattle Theatre opened its doors to the eagerly awaiting audience on March 1, 1928. Two years later the name change took place to the Paramount Theatre to remain consistent with the other owned Publix theaters.

L. N. Rosenbaum, a Hungarian born visionary came to Seattle to realize his dream of building the epitome of the grand theatres. Less the three years after opening the country was faced with the greatest economic challenge of its time, the Great Depression. With a steadfast hand the theatre endured and continued to entertain during a struggling period in history.

The journey throughout the ensuing decades was challenging with the changing climate of entertainment and management. In 1980s under the ownership of West Coast Theatres Corporation and its parent company Volotin Investment Corporation invested approximately $500,000 in a needed refurbishment. Gone were the days of heavy abuse from fans of rock-n- roll, the likes of Ozzie Osbourne and his Black Sabbath band. It was the beginning of Broadway shows and a more diverse stream of entertainers.

While the entertainment improved the management suffered. In late 1980 Volotin realized he was headed towards bankruptcy. A recently retired Microsoft vice-president by the name of Ida Cole emerged at just the right time to save this theatre's potential demise. In 1994, Ida purchased the theatre for an undisclosed amount and began the most extensive remodel in its history. Ten months later, March 17, 1995 the theatre reopened with a highly popular Broadway show, Miss Saigon and has continued to flourish to this day. In 2002, Ms. Cole stepped down as Executive Director and turned over the theater’s operation to the Seattle Theatre Group®, under the direction of Josh LaBelle.