The Rialto Theatre in South Pasadena, California, is a historic movie palace designed by Lewis A. Smith and opened in 1925. Over the years, it has served as a venue for movies, live vaudeville performances, and community events. Although it fell into disrepair and closed in 2006, the Friends of the Rialto advocacy group has been dedicated to its preservation and revitalization. While the exterior was fully restored in 2020, the interior underwent a dramatic renovation in 2021. The Rialto is also known for its Mighty WurliTzer Organ, which was installed in 1925 and is currently being restored for eventual reinstallation in the theater.
The Friends of the Rialto, composed of local residents, theater lovers, historians, and preservationists, aim to see the Rialto Theatre once again become a cultural and social center for the community. They advocate for the preservation and restoration of the theater and strive to activate it with events throughout the week that cater to the whole community. Despite not being able to secure a lease, the group has successfully demonstrated the capabilities of the Rialto by producing live Broadway musicals, variety shows, and movie screenings with live musical accompaniment.
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