Page 33 - July 2017 inLeague and Conference Program

In 1981, the Wiltern was purchased by developer Wayne Ratkovich
who worked with architect Brenda Levin to restore both the theater
and the office building to their former glory. To restore the theater
to its original state required some expert craftsmanship to repair
what was there including A.T. Heinsbergen, the son of the original
painter and some creativity to replace what had been lost including
salvaging vintage Art Deco seats from the soon to be renovated
Paramount Theater in Portland, Oregon. Further, while it was originally
designed and run as a movie theater, Ratkovich wanted to convert
the Wiltern into a performing arts center that could host live concerts
and Broadway-level stage performances-which entailed opening up
the rear wall and extending the stage and stage house of the theater
back fifteen feet. After a four-year renovation the Wiltern Theatre
finally opened again to the public on May 1, 1985 with performances
Photo courtesy of the Wiltern Theatre by the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater company. The Wiltern
was operated as a producing theater, and hosted its own live
performances and those sponsored by Avalon Attractions, Goldenvoice, Concerts West, Universal
Concerts, Timeless Entertainment, and many others, and was used for many televised events,
commercial filming and feature film locations.
The Wiltern Theatre originally seated 2,344. Subsequent modifications in 2002 removed the 1,200
permanent seats on the ground floor to allow for a variety of configurations from a standing room
only crowd of 2,300 to a more intimate seated arrangement holding 1850 people. The loge and
mezzanine levels in the balcony continue to offer fixed theater seats. The venue remains one of the
largest theaters in Los Angeles.

Saban Theatre
Beverly Hills, CA

Excerpted from the Saban Theatre's website...
Originally named the Fox Wilshire, opened its doors
on September 19, 1930. Designed by renowned
theater architect S. Charles Lee, the Fox Wilshire
building serves as an interesting example of Lee's
early Art Deco style. With its rich plaster work and
heavy sculpture, this theatre is reminiscent of Lee's
other early work like the Baroque masterpiece The
Photo by Don Solosan
Los Angeles Theater and the Tower. Lee would Courtesy of Los Angeles Historic Theatre Foundation
later become famous for his clean simple Art
Deco lines with theaters like the Bruin and the Academy Theater.
Fox West Coast Theaters built Saban Theatre to house their first run feature films. For the first 50 years
of its life, it served as one of the premiere movie palaces in Los Angeles and has hosted numerous
premieres and special events. In November 1953, the premiere of "How to Marry A Millionaire" starring
Marilyn Monroe and Lauren Bacall.
On Christmas Day of that year Walt Disney exhibited its new "Grand Canyonscope" – the first Donald
Duck cartoon in Cinemascope which ran with the studio's classic feature "20,000 Leagues Under the
Sea". Other notable events include 1960's special screening of "GI Blues" starring Elvis and attended
by Ronald Reagan and the 1970's exclusive engagement of the film "Woodstock".

In 1981 the Wilshire Theatre was renovated and converted to a stage venue. For a number of
years, the venue has hosted numerous theater productions and concerts including Billy Idol, Laurie
Anderson, Mijares, Richard Pryor, Spandau Ballet, Kavert/Poogy, The National Ballet of Spain and A
Mighty Wind, Billy Crystal's "700 Sundays" among others.

Now named Saban Theatre is open for theatrical rentals, concerts, television shoots, parties and
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