The Byham Theater

Originally built as the Gayety Theater, the Byham Theater opened on Halloween night, 1904. It ran for many years as one of the country's foremost stage and vaudeville houses, with appearances from such stars as Ethel Barymore, Gertrude Lawrence and Helen Hayes.

The Gayety Floor Mosaic The Gayety boasted pressed copper cherubs painted with a bronze patina, imitation gold leaf, stained glass windows, plaster columns and wainscot of scagolia, an Italian faux marble technique.

In the entry vestibule, note the original mosaic tile floor and the many bare light bulbs lining the ceiling, evidence of the advent of electrical lighting. Backstage, the theater was one of the remaining few to use sandbags and hemp ropes to work the scenery rigging until 1999 when a modern rigging system was installed.

The Fulton Theater Facade In the 1930s, the theater was renamed The Fulton and became a full time movie theater. The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust purchased the theater in 1990 and following the first of four planned phases of renovation, the Fulton was reopened in May 1991. It was later renamed the Byham Theater through a naming gift from the Byham family following the second phase of renovation in 1995.

The old lighted Fulton marquee has been restored by the State Museum of Pennsylvania in Harrisburg and will be installed there as part of a theater exhibit.

The second phase of renovations brought new restrooms, box office, marquee, an elevator, lobby improvements and facade changes. In 1997, the Cherub Lobby was restored to its original splendor.

The third phase of renovation in 1999 updated the theater rigging system, enlarged the orchestra pit and provided new HVAC for the entire building. Excavation under the stage and seating area will provide space for future dressing rooms.

Photo: Sara Higgins The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust continues to address the needs of the Byham Theater. These types of renovations are driven by the contributions of its attentive supporters, and with ongoing support the Cultural District will continue to improve and develop.

Byham Seating Chart

Download a detailed seating chart (147k)

Upcoming Events

Light: 6 performances starting Thursday, November 12, 2009
Imagination Movers: Thursday, November 19, 2009
American Revival: Celebrating the New Stars of American Roots Music: Sunday, November 22, 2009
Home for Christmas with Mark Milovats: Sunday, November 29, 2009
A Musical Christmas Carol: 16 performances starting Thursday, December 10, 2009
Menopause the Musical: 8 performances starting Tuesday, January 5, 2010
Step Afrika!: Sunday, January 17, 2010
Rent: 7 performances starting Thursday, January 28, 2010
Point Park University?s Conservatory Dance Company at the Byham: 4 performances starting Thursday, February 11, 2010
Bellydance Superstars Present The Art of Bellydance: Thursday, February 18, 2010
Aspen/Santa Fe Ballet: Friday, February 26, 2010
Ladysmith Black Mambazo: Sunday, February 28, 2010
Gabriel Iglesias: Thursday, March 4, 2010
Cherish the Ladies: Friday, March 5, 2010
Golden Dragon Acrobats: 2 performances starting Saturday, March 13, 2010
Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat: 7 performances starting Thursday, March 18, 2010
Complexions: Saturday, April 3, 2010
Ahmad Jamal and The MCG Jazz Orchestra: Friday, April 9, 2010
Fred Garbo Inflatable Theater Co.: 3 performances starting Saturday, April 10, 2010
BJM DANSE: Saturday, April 17, 2010
Vincent Dance Theatre: Saturday, May 1, 2010
Annie: 7 performances starting Thursday, May 6, 2010

Directions to the Byham Theater

The public entrance to the Byham Theater is on Sixth Street, at the corner or Sixth Street and Ft. Duquesne Boulevard, adjacent to the Rennaisance Pittsburgh Hotel.

FROM THE NORTH

Follow Interstate 279 South to Pittsburgh
Take the Veteran's Bridge/ Interstate 579 Exit
Stay in the right lane and take Sixth Avenue Exit
Follow Sixth Avenue to Liberty Avenue and turn left
Proceed on Liberty Avenue to Sixth Street
Make a right on Sixth Street
Proceed through traffic light at Penn Avenue
Byham Theater is on the right

Or

Follow Interstate 279 South to Pittsburgh
The Fort Duquesne Bridge Exit and stay in the left lane
Take the Fort Duquesne Blvd. Exit off the bridge
Proceed on Fort Duquesne Blvd. to Sixth Street
Make a right on Sixth Street
Byham Theater is immediately on the left

FROM THE SOUTH

Follow Route 51 North (Saw Mill Run Blvd.) to the Liberty Tunnels
Turn right into the Tunnels and proceed across the Liberty Bridge
Take the Interstate 579 Exit onto Crosstown Blvd.
Immediately exit to the left on Seventh Avenue
Follow Seventh Avenue to Liberty Avenue and turn left
Proceed on Liberty Avenue to Sixth Street
Make a right on Sixth Street
Proceed through traffic light at Penn Avenue
Byham Theater is on the right

Or

Follow Route 837 North through Pittsburgh's South Side
At Station Square, turn right on Smithfield Street Bridge
Follow Smithfield Street to Sixth Avenue, turn left
Proceed on Sixth Avenue to Liberty Avenue
Make a left on Liberty Avenue
Proceed on Liberty Avenue to Sixth Street
Make a right on Sixth Street
Proceed through traffic light at Penn Avenue
Byham Theater is on the right

FROM THE EAST

From the Turnpike, take exit 6 to Monroeville/Pittsburgh
Take I-376 West (towards Pittsburgh) for 13.5 miles to Exit 1C, Grant Street
At the signal at the end of the exit ramp, turn left onto Fort Pitt Boulevard
Continue another 0.4 miles and at the third signal, turn right, onto Stanwix Street
Proceed straight to the fourth light and bear right (45º angle) onto Liberty Avenue
Go to the second traffic light and turn left onto Sixth Street
Go two blocks to the Byham Theater, located on the right, at the corner of Fort Duquesne Boulevard and Sixth Street

Or

Follow Interstate 376 West to Pittsburgh
Take the Boulevard of the Allies Exit
Take the 579 exit onto Crosstown Blvd.
Immediately exit to the left on Seventh Avenue
Follow Seventh Avenue to Liberty Avenue and turn left
Proceed on Liberty Avenue to Sixth Street
Make a right on Sixth Street
Proceed through traffic light at Penn Avenue
Byham Theater is on the right

FROM THE WEST

Follow Interstate 279 North to Pittsburgh
Proceed to Fort Pitt Tunnels
Take Fort Duquesne Boulevard Exit
Proceed on Fort Duquesne Blvd. to Sixth Street
Make a right on Sixth Street
Byham Theater is immediately on the left