How to get discount tickets to 5th Avenue Theater

The 5th Avenue Theatre is one of the nation’s premier incubators for new musical theater. The 5th Avenue Theatre is also known for its world class, critically acclaimed productions of musicals chosen from both contemporary works and the Golden Age of Broadway, as well as the latest touring offerings from New York. The non-profit 5th Avenue Theatre Association exists to develop, produce, and present live musical theater and new works, with an emphasis on producing and utilizing Northwest-based artists and for the cultural enrichment of the Northwest community. In addition, they preserve, maintain, and operate the historic and irreplaceable 5th Avenue Theatre.

Bried History of 5th Avenue Theater

Built in 1926 as a home in Seattle for Vaudeville tours, the theater is ornately modeled on the Forbidden City in China, as well as the Emperor’s Summer Palace and the Temple of Heavenly Peace. To this day, it is widely considered to be one of the most beautiful theaters in our country. However, it’s important to know that the Chinese architecture was designed by two white Europeans at a time when it was illegal for Chinese immigrants to enter the United States. In addition, there was significant anti-Chinese sentiment at the time, with violent riots taking place in Seattle, Tacoma, and what is now Issaquah. While today we can appreciate the detail of the architecture, it is also important to remember this history in order to better honor the present.

Despite a storied existence as both a Vaudeville stop and later the city’s most popular movie palace, the combination of the recession in the ‘70s and the rise in popularity of both television and the Cineplex proved a fatal mix for The 5th. In the late 1970s the theater shuttered its doors and fell into disrepair. For a time the fate of the theater was uncertain. There was some discussion of whether or not the theater should be torn down, and even discussion of converting it to a Chinese restaurant.

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Seattle 5th Avenue Theater box office photo by Visitor7 – resized (CC3)

5th Avenue Theater 2022/23 Season

Musical theater joy is at the heart of everything at the 5th Avenue Theater. The 2022/23 season includes delightful, surprising, and moving musicals that taken together investigate the complicated, often messy, but always sublimely beautiful, truths of living. Season ticket subscriptions are available now. Individual performance tickets, if available, go on sale 8-12 weeks before opening night for each performance.

WORLD PREMIERE! THE GRISWOLDS’ BROADWAY VACATION. SEPTEMBER 10 – OCTOBER 1, 2022. Book, Music and Lyrics by David Rossmer and Steve Rosen. Directed and Choreographed by Donna Feore. Yes, the characters you know and love from the hit Warner Bros. Vacation movies are back—and they’re taking their biggest vacation yet. Hysterically funny with miles of heart, this laugh-out-loud new musical comedy is a 5th Avenue Theatre world premiere your whole family will love.
CHOIR BOY. A CO-PRODUCTION WITH ACT (A CONTEMPORARY THEATRE). SEPTEMBER 10 – OCTOBER 23, 2022. A Play with Music written by Tarell Alvin McCraney. Directed by Jamil Jude. The 5th Avenue Theatre and ACT join forces to bring this recent Broadway sensation to life in an exhilarating production for Seattle. A riveting coming-of-age tale from Tarell Alvin McCraney, the Academy Award®-winning writer of Moonlight. Choir Boy is a masterful story about honor, legacy, and dignity filled with electrifying gospel, spiritual, and R&B performances.
THE WIZ. AN ORIGINAL STAGING BY THE 5TH. NOVEMBER 19 – DECEMBER 23, 2022. Book by William F. Brown. Music and Lyrics by Charles Smalls. From the story The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum. Directed and Choreographed by Kelli Foster Warder. Winner of seven Tony Awards® including Best Musical. Feel the power of love overflowing at this dazzling reimagining of The Wizard of Oz. With a soaring soul, R&B, and gospel score featuring hit songs “Brand New Day,” “Ease on Down the Road,” and “Home,” this fun, fresh 5th Avenue Theatre production is a hit the whole family will enjoy.
INTO THE WOODS. FEBRUARY 10 – MARCH 5, 2023. Music and Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim. Book by James Lapine. Directed by Bill Berry. Into the Woods reminds us that only together can we defeat the wolves and giants of the world. With a stunning, unforgettable score featuring “No One is Alone,” “Children Will Listen,” and “Giants in the Sky,” this iconic show will enchant, entrance, and delight. A Tony Award-winning Broadway hit and feature film sensation, Into the Woods continues to enthrall theater lovers more than three decades after its creation.
SWEENEY TODD. APRIL 21 – MAY 14, 2023. Music and Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim. Book by Hugh Wheeler Tony®. Directed by Jay Woods. Sweeney Todd, a deliciously thrilling story of revenge and retribution. After 15 years in exile, Sweeney Todd, an unsettling man with a mysterious past, arrives in a dark and gritty London, hungry for vengeance against the judge who destroyed his life. Todd joins forces with Mrs. Lovett, the unhinged proprietress of a failing pie shop, and together they develop a spinetingling plot to exact revenge. When the lights go down and the curtain goes up, you won’t dare look away.
LES MISÉRABLES. MAY 24 – JUNE 17, 2023. Music by Claude-Michel Schönberg. Lyrics by Herbert Kretzmer. Original French Text by Alain Boublil and Jean-Marc Natel. Presented by Cameron Mackintosh. Based on the novel, Les Misérables, by Victor Hugo. Cameron Mackintosh presents the acclaimed production of Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel Schönberg’s Tony Award®-winning musical phenomenon, Les Misérables. This brilliant staging has taken the world by storm. Set against the backdrop of 19th century France, Les Misérables tells an enthralling story of broken dreams and unrequited love, passion, sacrifice, and redemption–a timeless testament to the survival of the human spirit. This epic and uplifting story has become one of the most celebrated musicals in theatrical history. The magnificent score of Les Misérables includes the songs “I Dreamed a Dream,” “On My Own,” “Bring Him Home,” “One Day More,” “Master of the House” and many more. Seen by over 130 million people worldwide in 53 countries and 22 languages, Les Misérables is undisputedly one of the world’s most popular musicals.

More info: 2022/23 Subscriptions | 5th Avenue Theatre and Website | 5th Avenue Theatre

Discount tickets to 5th Avenue Theater

Full Season Subscribers see six musicals at the lowest individual ticket prices, plus enjoy FREE PARKING and discount FRIENDS TICKETS. Full and Partial season subscribers get to choose the best seats in the house at the best price plus get fee-free ticket exchanges and access to a variety of other discounts (merchandise, restaurants, etc.).

Group tickets of 10 or more to an individual performance save up to 25% on ticket prices, plus save on ticket fees. Groups also get early access to the best seats in the house, before they go on sale to the general public. Group tickets the current season go on sale in summer. More info: Group Sales \ 5th Avenue Theatre

Day-of-show discount tickets may be available for select performances to the following patrons. Day-of-show tickets must be purchased in person when the Box Office opens each day.

Students and patrons under 25 years old. Please show a valid ID that verifies your student status or age when you purchase tickets. 1 ticket per ID.
Active duty military, veterans, or their dependents. Please show a valid military ID in order to receive this discount. 2 tickets per ID.
Government employees and contractors. Please show a valid ID or current business card that verifies your employment when you purchase tickets. 2 tickets per ID/card.
Civil Servants, defined as police, fire, or EMT. Please show a valid ID, current business card or badge in order to receive this discount. 2 tickets per ID/card.
Educators and Librarians. Please show a valid ID or current business card to redeem this offer. 2 tickets per ID/card.
Non-Profit employees. Please show a current business card or pay stub to redeem this offer. 2 tickets per ID/card.
Theater arts industry employees. Please show a current business card, valid TPS membership/Union card (e.g. Actors Equity Association, IATSE, SAG-AFTRA, etc.) or current show contract/show program when you purchase these tickets. 2 tickets per ID.

See-It-Again tickets may be available to patrons who have already seen the current production. To purchase a See-It-Again tickets, bring your paid ticket stub to the Box Office on the day of the performance you want to see.

Volunteering for The 5th Avenue Theatre is a great way to earn tickets to select performances. A variety of volunteer tasks are available. Orientation sessions for new volunteers takes place once or twice a year. Start by getting on their waitlist. More info: Volunteer \ 5th Avenue Theatre