Balboa Theater to rise again

Tom Titus

The last time I visited the Balboa Theater was back in 1992 for the

final performance of “The Rocky Horror Picture Show,” in which my

teenage son, Tim, wound up his year-and-a-half career of

impersonating another Tim, actor Curry, against the backdrop of the

latter’s visage on the widescreen.

Well, my Tim is 30 now, a high school English teacher with a

master’s degree, and now it looks as though the Balboa Theater will

be growing up as well.

When I passed the site March 19 en route to the kickoff reception

by the Balboa Performing Arts Theater Foundation, I noticed that the

front of the place already reflects its cultural motif. Now the

foundation folks are ready to get to work on the inside.

Theater officials envision two distinct goals for the landmark

showplace -- rebuilding it as a contemporary, 320-seat, multi-use

presenting venue for music, dance, theater, film and arts education

supported by the latest technology, as well as preserving the legacy

of its treasured memories for generations to come.

At the reception on March 19, held at another local showplace --

the oceanfront home of Hollywood producer Mel and Paulette Blumenthal

-- the foundation offered an impressive progress report.

“A year ago, we made a commitment to transition the foundation

from a grass roots, volunteer effort to a professionally managed

organization that implements a ‘best practices’ approach,” said Mary

Lonich, executive director of the group. “That policy is now evident

in everything we do.”

Lonich announced that the foundation has achieved 25% of the

organization’s interim fundraising goal to raise $2 million by the

end of December 2005. She noted that the group will construct a new

rooftop entertainment deck -- offering vistas of Newport Bay and the

Pacific Ocean -- which will be used for further fundraising events.

New officers of the foundation now are in place -- Chairman Nancy

Gardner of Corona del Mar, Vice Chairman Stan Kafka of Beverly Hills,

secretary Jo King and treasurer Bill Wren, both of Newport Beach.

“We are focused on preserving this legendary theater,” Gardner

said. “Our mission and importance go well beyond the Balboa

Peninsula. Now that we have some key accomplishments to report, it’s

appropriate that we re-introduce this project.”

The history of the Balboa Theater dates back to 1913, when J.P.

Greeley built the first such edifice at 111 Main St. as a showplace

for musicals, small plays, comedy and vaudeville for 15 years until

it was transformed into an amusement arcade.

In 1928, Greeley built a second performing arts theater, the Ritz

Theater at 707 E. Balboa Blvd. -- on the site of the famed Rendezvous

Ballroom, which recently had been destroyed by fire. The Ritz became

the Balboa Theater in 1939 and was a movie house through the 1960s,

when it functioned briefly as an adult film establishment.

By the mid-1970s, the Balboa was a revival movie house, featuring

such classics as “Casablanca” and “Citizen Kane.” Midnight

performances of the aforementioned “Rocky Horror Picture Show” were

featured Fridays and Saturdays until the closing in 1992.

The Balboa Performing Arts Theater Foundation was formed four

years later, with the mission to design a new facility, raise the

funds needed to complete the multi-use venue and to manage its daily

operation once construction is complete.

“With its unique location, charming appearance and versatile

logistics, the Balboa Performing Arts Theater once again will have

the distinction of being the only venue of its kind in Newport

Beach,” Lonich promised. “Herein lies the need to restore the theater

to its former luster as a mecca for audiences and artists of all

genres, presenting performances for the young and the young at

heart.”

Who knows, there might even be a return visit from “The Rocky

Horror Picture Show.”

* TOM TITUS reviews local theater for the Daily Pilot. His reviews

appear Fridays.