California Theatre (San Bernardino)

The California Theatre of the Performing Arts or simply referred to as the California Theatre is a performing arts center in the historic Downtown area of San Bernardino, California. Originally a part of the Fox Theatre chain, it opened in 1928. It still houses its original Wurlitzer Style 216 pipe organ.[2] It was also the site of the last performance by Will Rogers prior to his death, in a 1935 plane crash.

California Theatre of the Performing Arts

Address	562 W. 4th St. San Bernardino, California United States
Owner	City of San Bernardino
Operator	Theatre Arts International
Type	Movie palace
Capacity	1,718
Screens	1
Current use	Performing arts venue
Opened	1928 (1928)
Website
www.californiatheatre.net
California Theatre
U.S. National Register of Historic Places
Show map of California Show map of the United States
Coordinates	34°6′23″N 117°17′43″W
Area	0.5 acres (0.20 ha)
Architect	Perrine, John Paxton
Architectural style	California Churrigueresque
NRHP reference No.	09001116[1]
Added to NRHP	December 22, 2009

In the early years of Hollywood, filmmakers would test-screen their movies at the California Theatre. Classic films such as "King Kong" and "The Wizard of Oz" were first seen by audiences at the theatre in the 1930s.

The theatre is managed by Theatrical Arts International, the largest theatre company in the Inland Empire, which presents Broadway tours from the national touring circuit, and has hosted the San Bernardino Symphony since 1929. The theatre has recently hosted the tapings of Showtime's "The Latin Divas of Comedy", and "The Payaso Comedy Slam".[3]