Signora Antonietta Pisanelli opened the theater in 1907 or 1909 as the '' ' Washington Square Theater ' '' , a vaudeville or Italian theater . It was built on the site of the first Holy Trinity Orthodox Cathedral , which was completed in 1888 but destroyed in the San Francisco earthquake and fire of 1906 . The theater could seat 1,000 patrons for dramas and opera . In 1909 , the theater hosted a benefit concert for Emilio Rivola . When " Sunny Jim " Rolph ran for mayor of San Francisco , several rallies were held for Rolph at the Washington Square Theater in 1911
San Francisco earthquake and fire of 1906
1906 San Francisco earthquake
Pagoda Palace