A VISION COMES TO LIFE

On September 16, 1977, after years of serving the community as a movie theater and long after its final screening, the LA MIRADA THEATRE FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS reopened its doors and a City’s vision was born.

Heralded by the Los Angeles Times as “one of the best Broadway-style houses in Southern California,” La Mirada Theatre was state of the art in 1977 and remains so today due in large part to each city council, responsible for either its construction or continued operation, recognizing the importance of maintaining the highest technical standards while presenting the finest national, international and regional artists through a wide variety of performing arts disciplines.

The accomplishments of the past 30 years have been extraordinary and have exceeded all expectations. More than 3 million patrons have passed through the doors, attending more than 4,000 performances. Shows produced in La Mirada now tour the country - La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts emblazed across their banner head. And, Broadway is no stranger to our production of Peter Pan starring Cathy Rigby; the list of awards is exhausting and includes Ovation Awards, an Emmy Award and several Tony Award-nominations. In 1999, the La Mirada Theatre was honored with the Henry Reining Outstanding Organization Award, an award that is received for accomplishment in significantly improving the quality of life in the Los Angeles metropolitan area.

 

EARLY SUCCESS

Independent regional arts organizations have come and gone over the years with Whittier-La Mirada CLO, La Mirada Playhouse and the La Mirada Symphony teaming up with the City of La Mirada-funded Broadway Series to provide the early spark, which ignited years of exuberance and enjoyment throughout the region. Over the years, many of the players have changed. Most of those responsible for the Theatre’s early successes no longer grace the stage - yet the dream is alive and as vivid as ever.

 

THE CHANGING LANDSCAPE

Phantom Projects now joins La Mirada Symphony and Programs for Young Audiences at the theatre. Tom McCoy and Cathy Rigby’s McCoy Rigby Entertainment produces our Professional Theatre Series. These players are every bit as dedicated to the success and well being of the La Mirada Theatre as those who came before them, and the future has never looked brighter.

 

THE COMMITMENT

Of course, none of these achievements would have been possible without the generosity and commitment of the citizens of La Mirada, California and the determined leadership necessary to save an outdated movie theater from the wrecking ball and convert it into a palace for the performing arts.

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