Casa Romantica Turns to Community for Support Following Landslide

BY SHAWN RAYMUNDO

With programs and events on hold at the Casa Romantica Cultural Center and Gardens following last month’s landslide that damaged the local landmark’s Ocean Terrace, the nonprofit is looking for the community’s support through fundraising efforts.

“As a consequence of the landslide and dynamics of the situation, Casa Romantica Cultural Center and Gardens is faced with unprecedented financial uncertainty as to continuing planned programs, private events, and activities, placing the nonprofit in the position of asking for assistance,” Casa Romantica said in a media release.

Hoping to raise $250,000 by the end of June, Casa Romantica invited people to attend its Benefit Dinner and Concert: An Evening with Alicia Olatuja at the Franciscan Gardens in San Juan Capistrano on Thursday night, May 11.

Those who couldn’t attend Thursday evening’s dinner can also donate to the Casa directly or through its Spring Renewal Campaign. And those who have a venue or space that could be available for off-site activities and events are asked to contact the Casa at info@ casaromantica.org.

The Casa’s back patio and adjacent landscaping fell roughly 20 feet down the hillside above the Beach Trail and railroad tracks during the landslide that struck the historic property on April 27. Since then, it’s had to suspend certain blanche in this script, which makes it really fun for the audience to get involved.”

Dickinson added that there’s a twist that makes each of the three shows a little different.

A portion of the proceeds from Speakeasy, Die Easy benefits the Boys & Girls Club of Capistrano Valley, where the Capistrano Actors Guild hosts a two-week summer camp.

“So, we go in there and for two weeks, we teach them all the things that go into acting,” Dickinson said. “They help to build the sets, they paint the sets, they sew the costumes, they’re doing the lighting design.”

“They do everything with us, so it’s really an awesome experience to get future theater lovers and future technicians and costumers back into theater,” Dickinson continued.

The Capistrano Actors Guild formed two years ago in response to community programs and postpone events as the property remains closed.

According to the nonprofit, it’s working to partially reopen the estate—the former home of town founder Ole Hanson—for public access at the end of May.

“The City of San Clemente has identified the parts of the estate that are safe from the damage caused by the landslide and present no danger to the staff or public,” Amy Behrens, Casa Romantica’s executive director, said in the media release.

“The safety and well-being of our guests, patrons, volunteers, and staff remain our top priority, and our team is working diligently to secure all approved areas. We will keep the community informed as progress is made toward our reopening date, and we appreciate your continued understanding and support during this challenging time.” theaters closing during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Casa Romantica’s 11th annual Mary Colby Tea cultural event initially scheduled for this past Saturday, May 6, has been pushed to June 24.

“The theaters got hit really, really hard, and so I wanted to make sure that future generations could have a part in this,” Dickinson said. “And that’s the great thing, just like what we do with the kids.”

The guild is comprised entirely of actors, Dickinson added.

“Everybody on the board, from the president to the treasurer to the media marketing person, we’re all part of the Capistrano Actors Guild,” Dickinson said. “It’s not just one person that decides what we do and how we do it, but we all sit down, and every actor gets a voice.”

“In community theater, most people don’t know actors don’t get paid,” Dickinson continued. “So, they do this for the benefit of helping others.”

Dickinson added that part of the proceeds supports the actors as well.

Speakeasy, Die Easy will be held at the

“We want to take this opportunity to express our gratitude to the community for its outpouring of support during this challenging time,” Behrens said in the release. “Your encouragement, patience, and generosity have meant the world to us.”

“Now, more than ever, we need the community’s support to reach our goal of reopening Casa Romantica,” she added. “As a cultural center that serves as a

Fish Tank in Capistrano Beach, a repurposed warehouse that offers an immersive environment.

“It’s amazing, because although we are in kind of a rectangular box at the Fish Tank, because of the capability of the projections, it’s amazing,” Dickinson said. “You’re going to feel like you’re in a 1930s speakeasy.”

“From the moment you drive up, there are speakeasy signs, there’s Prohibition signs,” Dickinson continued. “We have bouncers, so you’re not going to be able to just get in. It is like your regular speakeasy … we try to do everything as authentic as possible.”

Dickinson added that she would like attendees to feel as if they are “a part of the art, (that) they were a part of something bigger.” hub for arts, education, and community engagement, Casa Romantica is a vital part of the San Clemente community. We are committed to reopening our doors and resuming our programs and events as soon as possible.”

Tickets for the immersive murder mystery experience can be purchased at capistranoactorsguild.com.

More information about how to support the Casa, donate to the nonprofit and attend other events can be found at casaromantica.org/update-from-casa-romantica/.