Don Telford

Since its gala reopening in January, Downtown’s historic Balboa Theatre has been pumping out a steady flow of the lively arts from the heart of the Gaslamp Quarter. Closed for two decades, the Balboa is alive, active and contributing to the life of Downtown as well as serving the entire region from Horton Plaza’s landmark Fourth Avenue frontage.

The Balboa Theatre’s restoration and rebirth had been the dream of many individuals, organizations and officials who advocated for their shared vision of what this historic venue could be. Through the success of Downtown redevelopment, the Centre City Development Corp.’s reinvestment in the Balboa Theatre has provided another invaluable community asset that will serve many future generations of San Diegans.

The renovation and restoration embraced the historic fabric, finishes and feel of the Balboa while enhancing and enriching it to meet current day standards and expectations.

The Balboa has proven itself with exemplary acoustics, intimate staging, exceptional ambiance and diverse programming. Such local nonprofit performing arts groups as Mainly Mozart, California Ballet, San Diego Men’s Chorus and Classics 4 Kids have found the Balboa Theatre to be a perfect home.

Classics 4 Kids will bring nearly 20,000 children to the Balboa next season through its performing arts education programs. Already more than 12,000 children have enjoyed the Balboa while attending Classics 4 Kids concerts. Watching hundreds of children arriving at the theater to see a live performance is a sight to behold.

In June, the Balboa became the home of Mainly Mozart, whose concerts showcase the theater’s outstanding acoustics. Over the summer, the Balboa hosted the West Coast premiere of the Tony Award-winning “Spring Awakening” through Broadway/San Diego. The staging of “Spring Awakening” was a full-fledged Broadway production; nothing was diminished or left out.

In September, the “San Diego Theatres Presents” season opened with the Tibetan Monks of the Drepung Loeslin. The season continues with eclectic, entertaining and multicultural performances every month designed to offer something for all San Diego audiences. We look forward to providing San Diego audiences with unique offerings in our historic theater this season and many more to come.

Don Telford is president and CEO of San Diego Theatres, the nonprofit steward of the Balboa and Civic Theatres.