Spreckels Theatre is a

performing arts center Performing arts center/centre (see spelling differences), often abbreviated as PAC, is usually a complex housing performance spaces for various performing arts, including dance, music, and theatre. In some cases it refers to a single multi-use s ...

San Diego San Diego ( , ) is a city on the Pacific coast of Southern California, adjacent to the Mexico–United States border. With a population of over 1.4 million, it is the List of United States cities by population, eighth-most populous city in t ...

, 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 The Panama Canal () is an artificial waterway in Panama that connects the Caribbean Sea with the Pacific Ocean. It cuts across the narrowest point of the Isthmus of Panama, and is a Channel (geography), conduit for maritime trade between th ...

. 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 buildin

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

. 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 The Baroque ( , , ) is a Western Style (visual arts), style of Baroque architecture, architecture, Baroque music, music, Baroque dance, dance, Baroque painting, painting, Baroque sculpture, sculpture, poetry, and other arts that flourished from ...

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 The Nederlander Organization, founded in 1912 by David T. Nederlander in Detroit, and currently based in New York City, is one of the largest operators of live theaters and music venues in the United States. Its first acquisition was a lease on ...

. 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 San Diego Comic-Con is a comic book convention and multi-genre entertainment event held annually in San Diego, California, at the San Diego Convention Center. Founded in 1970, originally showcasing primarily comic books and science fiction/fant ...

. There are four tapings that occur, which each episode airing the following evening. Casts from several big name television shows have appeared such as

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, Top Gun: Maverick,

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, and It Chapter Two.

Today

San Diego's Spreckels Building was listed on the

National Register of Historic Places The National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) is the Federal government of the United States, United States federal government's official United States National Register of Historic Places listings, list of sites, buildings, structures, Hist ...

in 1975. It is currently closed indefinitely.

Past Performers

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* Cocteau Twins * George Arliss * William Powell * Bill Bojangles Robinson * Ronald Coleman * Arthur Rubinstein *

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* Bert Lahr *

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* Eva La Gallienne * Honi Coles * Carol Shelly * Jean Pierre Rampal * Julian Bream *

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* Chris Issak * Ricky Lee Jones * Bobby Caldwell * Kenny Loggins * Linda Lavin * Los Lobos *

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* Jamie Foxx * Jeffrey Osborne *

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* Dave Koz * The Doobie Brothers * Todd Rungren * Sammy Hagar * Chaka Kahn * Sarah McLachlan * Bela Flek * Alice Cooper *

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* Hootie and The Blowfish * Smashing Pumpkins *

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* Shane Gillis * Dave Chappelle * Margaret Cho * Lisa Lampanelli * David Brenner * Eddie Griffin *

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* 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

{{Authority control Buildings and structures in San Diego National Register of Historic Places in San Diego Theatres on the National Register of Historic Places in California Culture of San Diego Event venues established in 1912 1912 establishments in California Performing arts centers in California Spreckels family