Cal Rep gets new look

Long Beach theatre moves off campus and into old downtown structure

By Wes Woods, On-Line Forty-Niner

Monday, November 2, 1998

Inside an enormous, white tent on a cool, darkened Wednesday night, the brand-new Edison Theatre was introduced to a primarily black-tie crowd of about 100.

The downtown Long Beach theater, constructed inside a historic 1917 Spanish-Baroque structure, will feature year-round performances from the California Repertory Company, which - since its creation in 1988 - has been presenting performances exclusively out Cal State Long Beach.

"When [Cal Rep] first came to Cal State Long Beach ... [CSULB President, Dr. Robert Maxson's] anthem was the university needs to acknowledge the green spots," said Paul Stewart Graham, managing director of Cal Rep.

"They need to be greened and watered. Cal Rep is the green spot. I hope we've done a good job in growing," he said.

Maxson said the move is "another level of maturity for this young university."

It is significant because it "symbolizes the ties between the arts, education and community with the theater."

Howard Burman, artistic producing director of Cal Rep, said the new theater would make its creations more accessible to audiences, but still continue presenting plays on campus.

He told the audience that he feels this is the best 99-seat theater in Southern California."

[The builders of the project] have cared about getting it done correctly, he said."

Burman also said in the future, there will be "music readings, poetry readings and late night music once we get up and running."

After the introductions, the assembled crowd was treated to an exclusive performance of "Among the Chosen Few."

Making their way across the street, guests walked on a long, cushy red carpet rolled across Broadway Street to the theater.

The building is located at 213 E. Broadway. Its name is courtesy of a cash donation by Southern California Edison.

Westland Construction also pitched in work and funds for the reconstruction of the structure's interior. Long Beach is assisting by leasing the facility to Cal Rep for $1 a year.