• Source: Spreckels Theatre

Spreckels Theatre is a performing arts center in San Diego, California. It was touted as "the first modern commercial playhouse west of the Mississippi". It was designed for philanthropist John D. Spreckels, and was meant to commemorate the opening of the Panama Canal. Built in 1912, it was originally created to host live theater performances, but was converted to allow motion pictures in 1931. The theater has been closed since being sold in 2021. There are currently plans to renovate the building.[1]




Architecture


Architect Harrison Albright designed the Spreckels Theater for the city's premier philanthropist, sugar heir John D. Spreckels. The building, which opened on August 23, 1912, was constructed to commemorate the opening of the Panama Canal. As with many west coast buildings from this era, it is constructed of reinforced concrete and concrete panels with architectural terra cotta manufactured by Gladding, McBean. The six-story building has a marquee over the main entrance. The theater is a 1,915-seat auditorium with an ornate Baroque interior. The auditorium is open with no pillars or columns to obstruct sightlines. The number of seats was chosen to correspond with the Panama–California Exposition year (1915). The stage is 82 feet x 58 feet, and was one of the largest stages ever constructed.




History


The theater originally presented live theatrical productions. Notable performers at the Spreckels included Enrico Caruso, John Barrymore, Al Jolson, Will Rogers, and Abbott and Costello.
In 1931, it was converted into a first-run motion picture house by its then-owner Louis B. Metzger.
In 1976, owner/operator Jacquelyn Littlefield (Metzger's daughter) restored it to a live theater format, bringing touring Broadway shows to San Diego in cooperation with the Nederlander Organization.
When fire destroyed San Diego's Old Globe Theatre in 1978, the Spreckels hosted the Globe's 1978-79 season.
Between July 2015 and July 2019, TBS has rented the theater for a week for Conan O'Brien to host his self-titled talk show from the theater to correspond with that year's San Diego Comic-Con. There are four tapings that occur, which each episode airing the following evening. Casts from several big name television shows have appeared such as Breaking Bad, Top Gun: Maverick, Veronica Mars, and It Chapter Two.




Today



San Diego's Spreckels Building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1975. It is currently closed indefinitely.




Past Performers


Arcade Fire
Cocteau Twins
George Arliss
William Powell
Bill Bojangles Robinson
Ronald Coleman
Arthur Rubinstein
Bela Lugosi
Ed Wynn
Bert Lahr
Ronald Reagan
Eva La Gallienne
Honi Coles
Carol Shelly
Jean Pierre Rampal
Julian Bream
Burt Lancaster
Chris Issak
Ricky Lee Jones
Bobby Caldwell
Kenny Loggins
Linda Lavin
Los Lobos
Jason Mraz
Jamie Foxx
Jeffrey Osborne
David Bowie
Bryan Adams
Dave Koz
The Doobie Brothers
Todd Rungren
Sammy Hagar
Chaka Kahn
Sarah McLachlan
Bela Flek
Alice Cooper
Fiona Apple
Hootie and The Blowfish
Smashing Pumpkins
David Sanborn
John Cleese
Shane Gillis
Dave Chappelle
Margaret Cho
Lisa Lampanelli
David Brenner
Eddie Griffin
Ghost
Ellen DeGeneres
George Lopez
Rita Rudner
The D’Oyly Carte Opera Company
The Martha Graham Dance Company
The Royal Shakespeare Company
The Moscow Art Theatre, Ballet Folklorico de Mexico
The Paul Whiteman Orchestra
The Kirov Ballet
The Alvin Alley Dance Company
The Harlem Boys Choir
Jane’s Addiction




References

Kata Kunci Pencarian:

• Perjalanan keliling dunia Kalākaua
• Spreckels Theatre
• John D. Spreckels
• Claus Spreckels
• Conan (talk show)
• Suzanne Somers
• Avenue Q
• San Diego Electric Railway
• Downtown San Diego
• San Diego Comic-Con
• + (album)