Showboat Theatre
historic place
The Showboat Theatre, a historic place in Seattle, King County, was erected in 1938. The Works Progress Administration built this unique venue, which opened in September of that year with a production of 'Charley's Aunt.' Designed by Glenn Hughes and John Conway, it was a 200-seat faux Mississippi steamboat, sitting on pilings at the University of Washington's Portage Bay waterfront. It never actually floated. For decades, the Showboat Theatre was a vibrant center for Seattle's nascent theatrical community. Its stage hosted numerous productions and saw performances by famous alumni and guest artists, including Lillian Gish in 1946. The theater closed in 1984 due to significant structural issues, such as asbestos, lead paint, and an outdated electrical system. Despite a decade of efforts by a foundation to save it, the Showboat Theatre was demolished on April 6, 1994. This site represents a key era of theatrical innovation and cultural life in Seattle's history.