HISTORIC ALEX THEATER IN GLENDALE

BUILDING A GREAT MUSEUM FOR THE SAN FERNANDO VALLEY

THE ALEX THEATER – GLENDALE, CALIFORNIA

by Monica Corpuz – Graduate Student CSUN

      The historic Alex Theater in Glendale opened its doors in September 4, 1925, as Alexander Theater. The theater was a glamorous place to see movies in the late 1920’s all the way through to the early 90s. It drew major movie stars through its doors, such as Bing Cosby and Elizabeth Taylor.

      In the early 90’s, however, the theater had to close it doors, at which point the Glendale Redevelopment Agency purchased the theater and instigated an expensive and ambitious revitalization project. The theater then opened its doors, just a few short years later, as a performing arts center and has since become a hub of activity in Glendale. 

     

       The Alex Theater hosts plays and musical performances as well as lectures, dance performances and comedy shows. It has been added to the National Register of Historic Places and continues to be a unifying landmark for the denizens of Glendale to congregate.

      There are tons of current shows going on this month and next, including DeFranco Does LA, Glendale Pops Hidden Treasures and The Glendale Youth Orchestra. For more information about its history, on-going shows and for photos of movie stars and the theater in its hey-day, please go to this website: http://www.alextheatre.org.