By Morf Morford
Tacoma Daily Index
Tacoma’s historic Broadway center, after being closed for six months, has emerged with a new look – and a new name.
The “new” look is largely a tribute to, if not actual restoration, of the original 1918 architecture.
Gone are the twenty-two layers of accumulated paint that were applied to the interior over one hundred years.
And yes, there are new seats and a new ADA approved center aisle on the main floor.
Beyond the visible improvements, there have been many seismic and safety upgrades. For example, thanks to the new open center aisle, emergency evacuation time is about half what it had been.
The new name, with its obvious focus on Tacoma – and its “live” arts scene – is a departure from the label of “Broadway” – and its association with either the street or traditional Broadway musicals.
Tacoma Arts Live has a focus on arts and performances of all kinds – and from local, regional, national or international sources.
And Tacoma Arts, as we all know, are certainly not limited to one building.
Tacoma Arts Live is the umbrella organization for these facilities in Tacoma’s historic theater district:
Pantages Theater
On 9th & Broadway
Designed in the tradition of the Palace at Versailles
Rialto Theater
9th St. between Broadway and Market
Originally served as an art-deco movie palace
Theater on the Square & Theatre on Square Lobby
Broadway between 9th & 11th Streets
Intimate theater with a contemporary flair
Studio 2 & 3
On 9th & Broadway
Multi-purpose performance/ gathering space
Tacoma Armory
Located at 1001 S Yakima Ave
Features a large, open space perfect for festivals, conventions, sporting events, and other highly attended programs. (1*)
Coming Holiday Events
Symphony Tacoma presents
Sounds of the Season
Sunday, December 2, at 2:30 p.m.
Pantages Theater
******
Immanuel Presbyterian Church &
Humanities Washington present
Think & Drink: The Speed of Deceit:
The New Era of Online Lies and Misinformation
Tuesday, December 4,
Doors at 6:15 p.m. Program runs 7 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Pacific Brewing Company, 610 Pacific Ave
******
Windham Hill’s Winter Solstice
Friday, December 7, 2018 at 7:30 p.m.
Rialto Theater
*******
Tacoma City Ballet presents
The Nutcracker Suite
Saturday, December 8, 2018 at 2 p.m.
Sunday, December 9, 2018 at 2 p.m.
Pantages Theater
*******
Seattle Men’s Chorus: Jingle All the Way
Saturday, December 8, 2018 at 3 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
Rialto Theater
******
Harry Potter & The Sacred Text
Saturday, December 8, 2018 at 3 pm and 7:30 pm. Theater on the Square
Film Focus: National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation
Sunday, December 9, 2018 at 3:00 p.m.
Theater on the Square
******
Symphony Tacoma presents
Handel’s Messiah
Friday, December 14, 2018 at 7:30 p.m.
St. Charles Borromeo
Puget Sound Revels present
The Christmas Revels
Saturday, December 15, 2018 at 2 p.m. & 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, December 16, 2018 at 1 p.m. & 5:30 p.m.*
Tuesday, December 18, 2018 at 7:30 p.m.
Wednesday, December 19, 2018 at 7:30 p.m.
*This performance is ASL interpreted
Rialto Theater
*******
Tacoma Concert Band presents
Let it Snow! A Holiday Celebration
Saturday, December 15, 2018 at 7:30 p.m.
Pantages Theater
*******
Take 6: The Most Wonderful Time of the Year
Saturday, December 22, 2018 at 7:30 p.m.
Pantages Theater
Tacoma Arts Live also has a full range of activities and services for schools and teacher on and off-site.
You can see what they offer here – https://www.tacomaartslive.org/education.
You can take a virtual tour of the Tacoma Arts Live facilities here –https://www.tacomaartslive.org/virtual-tour.
(1*) These locations are also available to rent for weddings, conferences or other gatherings. More information can be found here – https://www.tacomaartslive.org/rentals.
This detail from the end cap of each row of seats shows the craft and care taken in the restoration of this capstone of Tacoma’s art scene. Photo by Morf Morford
