Martin Woldson Theater at The Fox

Martin Woldson Theater at The Fox is a historic theater in Spokane, Washington, originally opened in 1931 as The Fox Theater and later restored and renamed in honor of Martin Woldson. The venue serves as the principal residence for the Spokane Symphony and hosts a range of performances including film, ballet, orchestral concerts, and touring artists. The theater's restoration reunited elements of Art Deco ornamentation with modern stage technology, attracting attention from preservationists and performing arts organizations.

History

The theater's inception in 1931 tied it to the trajectory of Fox Film Corporation, William Fox, Keith-Albee-Orpheum Corporation, Paramount Pictures, RKO Pictures, and the consolidation trends of early 20th-century American Film Industry, while local stakeholders including the Spokane Chamber of Commerce, Spokane County, City of Spokane, and cultural leaders shaped its civic role. Designed amid the careers of architects such as Robert Reamer and contemporaries like Thomas Lamb (architect), the venue opened during the Great Depression alongside constructions like Orpheum Theatre (Los Angeles), Grauman's Chinese Theatre, and Radio City Music Hall, reflecting national patterns exemplified by firms including S. H. Kress & Co. and projects by Meyer & Holler. Over decades the theater weathered competition from suburban NorthTown Mall, downtown shifts associated with the Spokane River redevelopment, and nationwide changes led by chains such as AMC Theatres and Regal Cinemas, prompting intermittent closures and ownership changes involving entities like Lubin Studios-era exhibitors and local preservation advocates. Community groups including the Spokane Preservation Advocates, Spokane Arts Commission, Historic Landmarks Commission (Spokane), and philanthropic families such as the Woldson family worked with organizations including the National Trust for Historic Preservation and the National Endowment for the Arts to secure the theater's survival. The theater hosted premieres, screenings, and live events featuring touring companies associated with Julliard School, New York Philharmonic, and artists connected to institutions such as Carnegie Hall, Kennedy Center, and the Seattle Symphony before its eventual restoration and re-opening in the 21st century.

Architecture and Design

The building exhibits influences from Art Deco, Spanish Revival architecture, and the broader vogue of movie palaces typified by designers like John Eberson, C. Howard Crane, and Thomas Lamb (architect), with decorative elements comparable to interiors at the Tivoli Theatre (Chicago), Ohio Theatre (Columbus, Ohio), and Orpheum Theatre (San Francisco). The original design incorporated features akin to work by Robert Reamer and craftsmanship reminiscent of the Graham, Anderson, Probst & White firm, including plaster ornament, a proscenium arch, and a fly tower responsive to touring production needs like those of Metropolitan Opera, Ballets Russes, and Broadway tours organized through producers such as David Merrick. Structural systems used steel framing similar to projects by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill counterparts, while decorative lighting referenced manufacturers associated with Warren & Wetmore commissions. Interior finishes included mural programs, acoustical treatments, and seating patterns that paralleled renovations at venues like the Fox Theatre (Detroit) and the Fox Theatre (St. Louis), integrating both historic fenestration and modern mechanical systems.

Restoration and Renovation

The multi-year restoration engaged preservation architects and contractors who had worked on projects with Historic American Buildings Survey, National Trust for Historic Preservation, and specialists from firms that restored the Carolina Theatre (Durham), Loew's Wonder Theatre, and Orpheum Theatre (Los Angeles). Funding combined private philanthropy from families connected to Martin Woldson, grants from institutions like the Gates Foundation and Paul G. Allen Family Foundation, municipal support by the City of Spokane, and contributions from cultural funders such as the Washington State Arts Commission and the National Endowment for the Arts. Restoration work addressed historically accurate paint schemes informed by conservationists trained at Smithsonian Institution programs and plaster restoration techniques taught at William Morris Society-style workshops, while stage modernization included installation of rigging compatible with unions including Actors' Equity Association, Local 15 IATSE, and touring technical standards used by Broadway League productions. The project balanced preservation principles advocated by Venice Charter-influenced conservators with performance-oriented upgrades, culminating in a reopening that aligned with best practices promoted by the League of Historic American Theatres.

Programming and Events

As a performing arts hub the theater presents seasons curated by the Spokane Symphony, collaborates with touring presenters such as Live Nation Entertainment, APAP, and regional companies like Inland Northwest Ballet and Spokane Civic Theatre. Programming spans classical concerts featuring repertoires from composers associated with New York Philharmonic, Vienna Philharmonic, Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, and soloists from institutions such as Juilliard School and Royal Academy of Music, to film series and revival screenings in partnership with archives like the Library of Congress and Academy Film Archive. The venue hosts community events coordinated with organizations including Spokane Public Schools, Spokane Tribal, Spokane County Historical Society, and festivals such as Spokane International Film Festival, Spokane Lilac Festival, and touring musicals affiliated with companies like Nederlander Organization and Shubert Organization.

Cultural Significance and Recognition

The theater's preservation earned recognition from bodies such as the National Trust for Historic Preservation, Washington State Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation, and listings comparable to entries on the National Register of Historic Places, while local honors came from Spokane Arts and civic proclamations by the Office of the Mayor of Spokane. Its role in downtown revitalization connected to projects like the redevelopment of the Riverfront Park (Spokane) and economic initiatives supported by Spokane Downtown Partnership, contributing to cultural tourism alongside institutions such as the Northwest Museum of Arts and Culture and Whitworth University performing arts programs. The theater continues to serve as a focal point for collaborations among arts institutions including the Spokane Symphony, educational partners like Gonzaga University, and national presenters, consolidating its status within networks of historic American theaters and cultural landmarks.

Category:Theatres in Washington (state) Category:Buildings and structures in Spokane, Washington