Moore Theatre

History

The Moore Theatre opened on December 28, 1907, at 2nd Avenue and Virginia Street, built by Seattle developer James A. Moore. Opening night was the Klondike operetta The Alaskan, with nearly 3,000 people in a house built for about 2,400. From 1917 to 1926 it was on the Orpheum vaudeville circuit and called the Orpheum. The Duffy Players called it The President from 1927 to 1931, and from 1949 to 1954 it was the Seattle Revival Center. It is Seattle's oldest operating theater. Impresario John Cort had ramps built to the balcony instead of stairs because his wife used a wheelchair.