Step into Seattle's historic Skinner Building to experience the 5th Avenue Theatre, a premier downtown destination for live musical theater. Opened in 1926 on land owned by the University of Washington, this landmark venue serves as the largest theater employer in the Puget Sound region and hosts nationally touring Broadway shows alongside original productions. It has earned a reputation as a national testing ground for new musicals before their Broadway debuts, having launched major hits like *Hairspray*, *Aladdin*, *Jekyll & Hyde*, and *The Wedding Singer*.
As you enter beneath the street marquee, you will discover an interior modeled after historic Beijing landmarks. The 2,130-seat auditorium showcases an authentic imitation of traditional Chinese timber construction, featuring red stenciled columns, carved relief patterns, and plaster details of wood brackets and beams. Look up to admire the ceiling's octagonal caisson, where a sculpted five-toed Imperial Chinese dragon holds a massive glass chandelier in its mouth.
Throughout the lobby and balcony stairways, keep an eye out for intact original furnishings, including a pair of Imperial guardian lions (foo dogs), along with Phoenix motifs, lotus flowers, and intricate chrysanthemums.
What to see at 5th Avenue Theatre
- Historic 1926 theater architecture modeled after famous Beijing landmarks
- Focal octagonal ceiling caisson featuring a sculpted Imperial Chinese dragon holding a glass chandelier
- Pair of original Imperial guardian lions guarding the second-level gallery stairway
- Testing ground for major Broadway-bound hit musicals like *Hairspray* and *Aladdin*
- Six to seven shows per season, including local revivals and national touring Broadway productions
Visiting tips
As you walk through the street entry under the marquee, look up at the ceiling's polychromatic beams, stenciled dragons, and carved cloud light screens for your first preview of the theater's ornate design.
How long: 2-3 hours · Best time: Evening
How to get there & what’s nearby
5th Avenue Theatre is easy to reach on Seattle’s public transport, and pairs naturally with Museum of Pop Culture and Seattle Art Museum. For where to stay, the weather and full itineraries, see our Seattle travel guide.
See the full Seattle travel guide for where to stay, the best time to visit and the top things to do.