California Theatre (San Bernardino) facts for kids
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| Address | 562 W. 4th St. San Bernardino, California United States |
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| Owner | City of San Bernardino |
| Operator | Theatre Arts International |
| Type | Movie palace |
| Capacity | 1,718 |
| Screens | 1 |
| Current use | Performing arts venue |
| Opened | 1928 |
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California Theatre
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 Location in California
Location in the United States
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| Area | 0.5 acres (0.20 ha) |
| Architect | Perrine, John Paxton |
| Architectural style | California Churrigueresque |
| NRHP reference No. | 09001116 |
| Added to NRHP | December 22, 2009 |
The California Theatre of the Performing Arts, often called the California Theatre, is a special place for shows and events in San Bernardino, California. It's located in the historic Downtown area. This theatre first opened its doors in 1928. It was once part of the famous Fox Theatres chain. Inside, it still has its original Wurlitzer pipe organ, which is a very old and cool musical instrument!
A Look Back in Time
The California Theatre has a long and interesting history. When it first opened, it was a big deal. It was a place where people could watch movies and live shows. A famous entertainer named Will Rogers gave his very last performance here in 1935. Sadly, he passed away in a plane crash shortly after.
Early Hollywood Connections
In the early days of Hollywood movies, filmmakers would often test their new films at the California Theatre. This meant they would show the movie to an audience for the first time. They wanted to see what people thought before the movie was officially released.
Many classic films were first seen by audiences at this theatre. For example, famous movies like King Kong and The Wizard of Oz were shown here in the 1930s. Imagine being one of the first people to see those movies!
The Theatre Today
Today, the California Theatre is managed by a group called Theatrical Arts International. This group is the biggest theatre company in the Inland Empire area. They bring many exciting shows to the theatre. These include big Broadway tours that travel all around the country.
The theatre is also home to the San Bernardino Symphony. This orchestra has been performing at the theatre since 1929. The California Theatre has also been used for TV show tapings. For example, comedy shows like Showtime's The Latin Divas of Comedy and The Payaso Comedy Slam have been filmed there.
External Links
- Official California Theatre website: http://www.californiatheatre.net
- San Bernardino Symphony home page
See also
In Spanish: Teatro California (San Bernardino) para niños
