The Lobero Theatre celebrates this momentous anniversary by honoring the past and safeguarding the future of this vibrant community treasure.
lobero.org/ovation
Photo By Jason Rick
Originally founded as Jose Lobero’s Opera House in 1873, the Lobero is the oldest continuously operating theater in California, and the fourth oldest performing arts theater in the country. Whether hosting events of great societal importance, launching the careers of Hollywood legends, serving as an influential jazz venue, or providing a stage for some of the world’s finest performers, the Lobero inspires diverse audiences of all ages.
The Lobero also provides a platform for local artists and regional organizations, such as Opera Santa Barbara, CAMA, Flamenco Arts Festival, State Street Ballet, AHA! and many more. With the next 150 years on the horizon, now is the time to commit to setting the stage for posterity – ensuring that this theater will be physically and financially ready for whatever the future holds, while providing support and partnership for its family of arts institutions that make the Lobero the cultural jewel of Santa Barbara.
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Blind Tom Thomas Wiggins, born a slave on a Georgia plantation, becomes a piano touring sensation, playing both classical works and popular songs on stages worldwide.
In the late 1800’s, interest in Spiritualism is all the rage in America and the opera house is the ideal venue for performances catering both to believers as well as skeptics.
From the 1890’s1910’s, the Lobero Opera House is an important venue for the women’s suffrage movement and all seats are filled when this famous women’s rights activist comes to speak.
John. L. Sullivan
The world’s first sports superstar boxer tries his hand at acting, appearing in the melodrama
Honest Hearts and Willing
Hands to a standingroom-only Lobero crowd.
W.C. Fields
A young W.C. Fields is considered the comedy juggler of his generation and visits the Lobero as part of the Great Orpheum Road Show – billed as the “eccentric tramp juggler.”
The
“Prince
After the lights are turned off at the Lobero Opera House, the new Lobero Theatre, designed by George Washington Smith and Lutah Maria Riggs, premieres with the social satire Beggar on Horseback.
25-year-old Clark Gable appears at the Lobero, alongside veteran headliner Pauline Frederick, in the drama Lucky Sam Carver.
This is the year America falls in love with classical flamenco dance, when the José Greco Company brings their riveting showmanship to the Lobero for 4 performances.
The gravelly voiced singer/songwriter performs two evening shows billed as “A Very Special Turkey for Thanksgiving.”
The well-known comedian brings his raw, unfiltered act to the Lobero and the sold-out, tightly-packed audience roars with laughter
– sometimes nervously.
The Russian composer, conductor and virtuoso pianist performs at the Lobero as part of the Community Arts Music Association’s (CAMA) 10th season.
Will Morrissey’s Music Hall Revue comes to town – with pianist Al Rinker and the talented 23-year-old jazz crooner, Crosby – who specialize in interesting jazz rhythms and tricky harmonies.
Two years before he stars in the world-famous horror film, Bela Lugosi takes the stage as the blood-sucking vampire, Dracula.
A standing-room-only audience fills the Lobero to hear the singer unleash his rich timbered, bass-baritone voice in a program that ranges from classical arias to southern spirituals.
The composer and saxophone great graces the Lobero for the first time with his innovative and transcendent jazz. Charles returns to the Lobero stage on March 10, 2023 for his 85th Birthday Celebration.
mime artist and “master of silence” delights a Lobero audience with his brilliant pantomime.
The
The dance legend performs for 5 consecutive solo shows at the Lobero – the smallest, most intimate stage he has appeared on in 20 years.
The John C. Mithun Foundation recently pledged the largest gift in the history of the Lobero Theatre. Foundation Board Members Mercedes Millington and Susan Torrey share their personal perspectives on why the Lobero is worthy of their significant support.
What does the Lobero mean to you and what is its place in the SB community?
M: This historic cultural jewel provides an opportunity to see not only world class entertainment, but also our special local entertainers.
S: The Lobero is a place where we come together – to meet with friends, engage in the arts, and enjoy the shared experience of a performance.
What is the John C. Mithun Foundation Community Access Fund and how does it represent your philanthropic values and vision?
M: We will provide opportunities for members of our community to experience a “balanced life,” making the arts/culture a part of that element by enabling access to the Lobero. The fund currently supports such institutions as AHA! Santa Barbara, Ceylon International Film Festival, Montecito Union School District, Nebula Dance Lab, Opera Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara Choral Society, Santa Barbara Revels, Santa Barbara Symphony, Santa Barbara Vocal Jazz Foundation, Santa Barbara Youth Symphony, Spirit of Fiesta Committee, State Street Ballet, State Street Ballet Academy, The Rhythmic Arts Project, and Visual Arts & Design Academy at SB High School.
For 150 years, the Lobero Theatre has enjoyed a symbiotic relationship with the wonderful arts organizations that perform on its stage. The John C. Mithun Community Access Fund supports a vibrant arts scene and fosters a new generation of artists and audiences that will significantly impact the future of the industry. The endowment fund will allow the theater to meaningfully subsidize the community’s use of the Lobero, reducing their expenses and allowing them to focus their limited resources on production and audience development – thereby strengthening the health and growth of each organization.
The Lobero’s remarkable sesquicentennial represents a key milestone in the city’s cultural timeline. The building itself is the Lobero Theatre Foundation’s greatest asset and the main focus of its stewardship. The Building Maintenance Endowment ensures that a significant annual investment is made toward the building’s technical systems and historic aesthetics. Every effort will be made to prioritize maintaining state-of-theart technology, while honoring the unique architectural design created by George Washington Smith and Lutah Maria Riggs. This vital fund will systematically reduce the need for a major capital campaign.
S: The fund provides a way to widen the scope of dreams and access. By underwriting costs for organizations in Santa Barbara to utilize the venue, the Lobero can open its doors to those who would otherwise never have the chance to set foot on the stage or into the theater.
What are your hopes moving forward with the John C. Mithun Foundation Community Access Fund and how could it have more impact?
M: My aspiration is for the fund to encourage even more like-minded organizations to work cooperatively and develop a greater sense of community.
S: My hope for the fund is that it will have a profound lasting impact for the Santa Barbara community. It would be quite fortuitous to find innovative ways to partner with additional non-profits to strengthen the soundness and expansion of those associations.
What would you share with other potential supporters of the Lobero and, specifically, individuals interested in partaking in our Ovation Celebration through an anniversary gift to the Lobero?
M: The Lobero is our “Community Treasure” – worthy of our support for generations to come, as it has so brilliantly served past generations.
S: A gift to the Lobero now isn’t just for today. It is a gift to our community and future generations. The Lobero Theatre has been part of our unique culture for 150 years and it will be here long after we are gone. I see this as an opportunity to do something now that will last long into the future.
“I love the Lobero” are the words I hear most often after mentioning I work for the theater. This treasured venue has had a place in the hearts of our community since its inception. Over the years, the Lobero family has created a cherished cultural heritage which has been enjoyed for generations. As we celebrate the 150th Anniversary of this historic theater, let’s work together to endow its future. Show your “love for the Lobero” by making a gift to the Lobero Endowment Fund. It’s easier than you might think.
To learn more about how you can make a significant gift to endow our future, please contact Jim Dougherty at 805.679.6005, or jdougherty@lobero.org