Back to the Future for L.A.'s Pantages Theatre

When the Pantages Theatre was built on Hollywood Boulevard in the 1920s, the original plans called for a 12-story office building to rise over the theater.

Although the foundation for a building that size was laid, the stock market crash ended the original plans, and construction was halted at two stories.

Nearly 8 decades later, the Pantages continues to be a popular venue -- it is currently hosting WICKED for a long run -- and the remaining 10 floors are finally going to be built, "true to the original Art Deco design," but to modern earthquake standards.

As a footnote, over the years I've seen some wonderful musical theater at the Pantages, including Yul Brynner and Constance Towers in THE KING AND I, Jane Powell and Howard Keel in SOUTH PACIFIC, and Gary Morris in LES MISERABLES.