Vaudeville back at new, old theater

By Diane Wright

Herald Writer

EVERETT — Like the old melodrama "The Perils of Pauline," the Historic Everett Theatre has survived yet another set of perils. Somehow, 100 years later, it’s still here.

And Lee Haines, the 63-year-old projectionist at the Everett Theatre, has a message for folks in this town: "If you’ve got a memory here, share it."

Today, the Historic Everett Theatre is just a day shy of its 100th birthday. And it’s holding a birthday party tonight featuring a performance by one of America’s most gifted actor-funnymen: Bill Irwin. The man the Los Angeles Times compares to Charlie Chaplin and Buster Keaton performs a stunt-filled theater piece called "The Clown Lecture" at 8 tonight (doors open at 7).

Irwin stood on the stage Friday and appreciated the irony of doing the kind of act whose bits and pieces might have graced the stage 100 years ago.

"It’s the old story where we’re trying to spoof and lampoon something we love," he said of the clowning tradition. "It’s an anthology of everything you do in clowning."

When he and his accompanist/accomplice Doug Skinner learned that the Everett Theatre was actually the Historic Everett Theatre, "we got excited."

And the memories he creates at this 100-year crossroads will be braided into the town’s identity, just as all the other performers did before.

"The Everett Theatre is the true character of the old downtown," says historian David Dilgard. "The malls don’t have a 100-year-old theater with Helen Hayes and Al Jolson. The Everett Theatre makes the downtown an unusual place. This is what Everett was and continues to be. It’s valuable and has its feet rooted in the past and in right now."

"It’s alive again with Irwin, a man of national reputation doing something exciting onstage. That’s part of the tradition."

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Customers enter and exit the Costco on Dec. 2, 2022, in Lake Stevens. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Costco stores could be impacted by looming truck driver strike threat

Truck drivers who deliver groceries and produce to Costco warehouses… Continue reading

Two Washington State ferries pass along the route between Mukilteo and Clinton as scuba divers swim near the shore Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023, in Mukilteo, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Ferry system increases ridership by a half million in 2024

Edmonds-Kingston route remains second-busiest route in the system.

Firefighters respond to a 911 call on July 16, 2024, in Mill Creek. Firefighters from South County Fire, Tulalip Bay Fire Department and Camano Island Fire and Rescue left Wednesday to help fight the LA fires. (Photo provided by South County Fire)
Help is on the way: Snohomish County firefighters en route to LA fires

The Los Angeles wildfires have caused at least 180,000 evacuations. The crews expect to arrive Friday.

x
Edmonds police shooting investigation includes possibility of gang violence

The 18-year-old victim remains in critical condition as of Friday morning.

The Everett Wastewater Treatment Plant along the Snohomish River. Thursday, June 16, 2022 in Everett. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett council approves water, sewer rate increases

The 43% rise in combined water and sewer rates will pay for large infrastructure projects.

Robin Cain with 50 of her marathon medals hanging on a display board she made with her father on Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025 in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Running a marathon is hard. She ran one in every state.

Robin Cain, of Lake Stevens, is one of only a few thousand people to ever achieve the feat.

People line up to grab food at the Everett Recovery Cafe on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Coffee, meals and compassion are free at the Everett Recovery Cafe

The free, membership-based day center offers free coffee and meals and more importantly, camaraderie and recovery support.

Devani Padron, left, Daisy Ramos perform during dance class at Mari's Place Monday afternoon in Everett on July 13, 2016. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
Mari’s Place helps children build confidence and design a better future

The Everett-based nonprofit offers free and low-cost classes in art, music, theater and dance for children ages 5 to 14.

The Everett Wastewater Treatment Plant along the Snohomish River on Thursday, June 16, 2022 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett water, sewer rates could jump 43% by 2028

The rate hikes would pay for improvements to the city’s sewer infrastructure.

The bond funded new track and field at Northshore Middle School on Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024 in Bothell, Washington. (Courtesy of Northshore School District)
Northshore School District bond improvements underway

The $425 million bond is funding new track and field complexes, playgrounds and phase one of two school replacements.

Pharmacist Nisha Mathew prepares a Pfizer COVID booster shot for a patient at Bartell Drugs on Broadway on Saturday, Oct. 1, 2022, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Everett lawmakers back universal health care bill, introduced in Olympia

Proponents say providing health care for all is a “fundamental human right.” Opponents worry about the cost of implementing it.

Lake Stevens Sewer District wastewater treatment plant. (Lake Stevens Sewer District)
Lake Stevens sewer district trial delayed until April

The dispute began in 2021 and centers around when the city can take over the district.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.