Sneak peek inside Pantages Theater

Less than two weeks before the Pantages Theater's grand re-opening, officials at the Broadway Center for the Performing Arts offered a sneak peak at renovations, which are currently wrapping up.

Six new, windowed double doors open to a spacious entryway, complete with ornate, stained-glass sky lights, a new, permanent concession stand and a relocated, grand, wrought iron staircase. A new box office with three windows will help diminish lines, and walls are adorned with durable white trim, replacing rose-colored velour covering that children were apparently fond of writing their names in. Lady patrons will be pleased to hear that women's restrooms will feature a bank of stalls suitable for a large theater, while both ladies and mens rooms have been expanded and renovated, complete with slated mahogany stall doors and nearby gold-plated drinking fountains.

Ten performing arts organizations and more than 400 artists will perform to celebrate the renovation of the historic Pantages Theater in a special, one-night-only performance presented by Broadway Center for the Performing Arts on Friday, Oct. 13 at 8 p.m. Tickets can be purchased by calling the Box Office at (253) 591-5894 or by visiting their Web site. — Paul Schrag

New skylights won't work very well at night, but they're pretty.
Gold plated drinking fountains. For real.
Ladies rooms will have more stalls, more sinks, more mirrors and shorter lines.
Contracter Chris Rosser polishes the rail, which he contends will remain polished for all of two seconds once people start using the stairs.