05/29/2026
85 YEARS OF THE ROXY
AND WE'RE JUST GETTING STARTED.
On this day, May 29, 1941, the doors of the Roxy Theatre swung open for the very first time — and Bremerton hasn't been the same since.
That opening night was a gala occasion, captured in newsreel footage, as audiences streamed in to see the Jean Arthur comedy The Devil and Miss Jones. Designed by architect Bjarne Moe and owned by Benjamin F. Shearer, the art moderne-style house seated approximately 900 patrons — and quickly became the heartbeat of downtown Bremerton.
Inside, a breathtaking giant photo mural of Bremerton and the Navy Yard — featuring the White Fleet of 1908 — was captured by the legendary Pacific Northwest photographer Asahel Curtis. At the time, it was one of the largest photo murals ever produced in the Pacific Northwest, and it still graces these walls today. Come see it for yourself.
During the darkest days of World War II, when Bremerton's shipyard workers and families needed it most, the Roxy was there. Entertainers like Bing Crosby and Frank Sinatra performed here to lift the spirits of a community in turmoil. And while Bremerton's own Quincy Jones — one of the greatest musical legends to ever call this city home — never took our stage, the Roxy holds a special place in honoring his legacy. Quincy Square, right outside our doors, stands as a testament to that pride.
This building has always been more than a theater — it's been a shelter, a gathering place, and a source of joy through the hardest of times.
The Roxy has had quite a journey over the decades. After going through a number of iterations, including a chapter as a church, the building was purchased by a local developer who undertook an extensive renovation — restoring the bones of this beloved landmark and setting the stage for its next chapter. When the nonprofit Roxy Bremerton acquired the theater, the work continued: new seats went in, air conditioning was installed for the first time in the building's history, and a long list of other improvements transformed the space into the welcoming, comfortable venue you know today.
Today, the Roxy is a nonprofit community arts and cinema venue, offering a diverse range of films, live performances, and community events — a cultural hub that brings people together through the arts. Upgraded ADA-accessible restrooms, seating with cup holders and increased legroom, and advanced audiovisual equipment enhance every visit, while the theater's large Northwest timber construction and thick plaster walls continue to deliver impeccable sound quality.
Right now on the big screen you can catch The Devil Wears Prada 2 and The Drama with more great films and live events on the way — keeping the tradition alive of first-run and arthouse cinema in one of the most intimate, iconic rooms in the Pacific Northwest.
85 years. One screen. Countless memories.
Here's to the next 8
Come celebrate with us.
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