The Edison Theatre located in downtown Long Beach has been vacated after analysis reported it a potential hazard in an earthquake.
The theatre has been leased by Cal State Long Beach and it has served as a production home of CSULB’s California Repertory Company. As a result, it is returning temporarily to campus.
Inaugurated in 1989, the California Repertory Company is a graduate training program and theatrical laboratory whose primary mission is to train theatre artist and teachers. The university has leased the Edison Theatre, located at 213 E. Broadway, since 1998.
The Repertory will be returning back to its original home at CSULB. Performances will be held in the Studio Theatre located within the department of Theatre Arts.
The Edison Theatre is a 99-seat theater that has a lighting control system, featuring the ETC Emphasis virtual lighting controller, Vari*Lite automated fixtures, digital sound control, a pit and trapped floor space, dressing rooms, a lobby and an adaptable seating configuration. The theater is located within walking distance of downtown Long Beach’s restaurants and nightlife.
“What prompted the structural analysis is that the city suggested that the university consider purchasing the building, or extending the lease and under California State University policy in order to extend the lease you must do a structural analysis,” said Toni Beron, associate vice president for University Relations.
In following the procedure, Beron said engineers came back with a report that questioned the buildings integrity if there were to be a serious earthquake.
“The building has passed the city code, but not the university’s,” said Joanne Gordon, chair of the department of Theatre Arts and the director of California Repertory Company.
Postponed performances will now be held in the Studio Theatre, located in the department of Theatre Arts. “Federico Garcia Lorca’s Don Perlimpin and His Love for Belissa in the Garden” will now preview Nov. 30 at 7 p.m. and open Dec. 1 at 8 p.m. The show will run in repertory (two shows performing on alternating dates in the same space) with the University Players production of The Caucasian Chalk Circle, which opens Friday, Dec. 8, at 8 p.m. Both shows will close Dec. 16.
As to the amount of time the Repertory will remain on campus, “it is unknown if these will be the only two shows performed on campus…unless another location in the city is identified,” Beron said.
“Cal State Long Beach has many wonderful partnership with the city, and this has been one of them. We look forward to seeking a new home for the California Repertory Company that will benefit the arts and theatre community in Long Beach,” said CSULB President F. King Alexander in a press release.
Tickets for the performances range from $12 to $20. Current ticket holders are asked to contact the California Repertory Company box office at (562) 985-5526 or (562) 985-7000 to exchange their tickets. All current ticket holders will be accommodated. For more information, please call (562) 985?5526 or visit calrep.org
