By TR Robertson
As studies and discussions continue concerning the Historic Avo in downtown Historic Vista the June meeting of the Avo Committee heard presentations from three local theatre owners, directors and managers concerning the history of the theatres, changes over the years in their theatres and their current format for the operation of the theatres.
The first presentation was from Alex Goodman the Managing Director of the Oceanside Theatre Company located at 217 N. Coast Highway in downtown Oceanside. Goodman began his presentation with a short history of the theatre and the changes that have taken place over the years. The theatre opened in November of 1936 under the name Santa Magarita Theatre. This was changed shortly after to the Margo Theatre. In 1944 the theatre was purchased by the Brooks Family and Hazel Brooks took over the operations. Most people referred to Hazel as “Sunshine”, a name she picked up in high school. The family closed the theatre in 1955. Sitting unoccupied for numerous years it was used in 1990 by the Oceanside Martial Arts Center. In 1993, the City of Oceanside acquired the theatre. The theatre was called the Towne Theater for several years. In 2003 the theatre closed again, but shortly after this New Vision Theatre used the facility for six years. In 2011 the Oceanside Theatre Company was formed and has been in operation of the 200-seat theatre ever since. Goodman said he has been the Managing Director for the last two and one-half years. He said the theatre operates with a volunteer board and numerous volunteers during performances. The City of Oceanside owns the historic theatre, and the Oceanside Theatre Company uses the facility working under a 20-year lease and no rent payment. Goodman said his philosophy is “more is more” in bringing in a variety of groups and performances throughout the year. They currently present musicals, plays, concerts, youth programs, cultural and social programs, stand-up comedy, dance companies, local authors presentations, improv programs and much more. The theatre is available for rental. The Sunshine Brooks Theatre was recently used for Supervisor Jim Desmond’s State of the County address. Goodman said the OTC currently operates with a $800,000 budget. OTC has recently received a Conrad Prebys Foundation Grant for improvements to the theatre and they are raising funds for needed improvements as well. Some of these improvements that are being considered involve increasing the size of the lobby and additional restrooms. Goodman said running a small local theatre is always challenging and the comfort of their patrons is at the top of their list of concerns. When asked about his thoughts on how the Avo should be used in the City of Vista, Goodman said keeping the theatre community based and using it for a variety of purposes should be considered.
The next presenter was Paul Friedman, Managing Director of the Oceanside Historic Star Theatre. David Schulz, Producing Artistic Director was unable to attend. The Star Theatre is located at 402 N. Coast Highway, just down the street from the Sunshine Brooks Theatre. Like the Brooks Theatre, the Star Theatre opened as a movie theatre, opening in 1956 with the movie “Moby Dick” starring Gregory Peck. The theatre originally seated 1,100 people but as of 1997 now seats slightly less than 500 people. The theatre is in its 3rd stage of rebuilding. This non-profit theatre won the ORCHID Award for Interior Design and Historic Preservation in 1999 and has been declared a Historic Resource for the City of Oceanside. The Star Theatre is involved with numerous rentals of the facility and brings in youth shows, graduations, high school productions, age-appropriate private shows and offers a number of classes dealing with musical theatre and other programs. Friedman said they provide a venue and accommodate the needs of the people using the theatre. The theatre produces 6 shows a year. Some of the upcoming productions include “A Chorus Line”, “Freaky Friday”, “The Music Man” and “Annie”. Friedman said improvements to the theatre include improved interior LED lighting and sound equipment and other projects related to the infrastructure of the theatre. He said the bathroom accommodations have increased in size; roof repairs made as well as repairing outdated plumbing in the theatre. The theatre offers a concession stand and they offer a daily license for the various groups using the theatre. Friedman also told the committee the Avo should remain a community theatre as well as offering rental space for other programs.
The final presenter was Roy Moosa, owner of the Fallbrook Mission Theatre, a For Profit theatre, located at 231 N Main St. in downtown Fallbrook. Roy has owned the Mission Theatre for the last six years. Roy said the theatre was built in 1948 but on the Cinema Treasures web site Joe Vogel wrote that W.J. Eagleston had purchased the lease for the Mission Theatre in 1937 and The Film Daily publication had a film listing for the theatre dating back to 1936. Regardless, the historic theatre showed first run films as well as numerous other films for many years. By the 1980’s the theatre was no longer showing films. Roy has brought back movies to the theatre using a digital format to show classic films as well as popular films. The theatre seats 300 people and has 4 dressing rooms behind the stage. On July 5th the 1969 film “Cactus Flower” will be shown, July 12th “The Sting”, July 19th the 1938 Cary Grant movie “Holiday”, and on July 26th the 1977 “Close Encounter of the Third Kind”. They offer a concession stand that serves nachos, hot dogs, chili dogs, mini-pizza, popcorn, candy, soft drinks and beer and wine. The theatre is available for rent and Roy said it has been used for wedding receptions, anniversaries and other events. They try to have a live show once a month. For example, there is an upcoming opera/ballet scheduled for later in the summer. He said the theatre has not received a historic theatre classification but those living in Fallbrook consider the theatre a historic site. When asked for advice he would give the Avo Committee Roy said, “Don’t destroy the ambiance the theatre has. Make it central to the community and offer all things to all people.”
The next meeting for the Avo Committee will be held in the Avo Theatre and will include a comprehensive tour of the facility.
