Grand Opening of Improv Comedy Club
in the Historic Jose Theatre

PAC*SJ was pleased to attend the grand re-opening of the historic Jose Theatre, the home of the San Jose Improv Comedy Club, on November 8th. Speakers included Mayor Ron Gonzales, Councilmember Cindy Chavez, PAC*SJ President Patt Curia, Comedian Paul Rodriguez and Improv President Tony Baldino.

Built in 1904, it is the oldest theater in San Jose and will now be home to the largest Improv in the US. With seating for 570, it will be used for taping "Live at the Improv" shows.

Saving the Jose Theatre and returning it to use for live entertainment is an outstanding accomplishment for the people of our community,” said San José Mayor Ron Gonzales. “The Jose is a proud downtown landmark that connects us to our city’s history, and I’m delighted it will now bring laughter and enjoyment for audiences long into the future.”
The Stage
The Balcony
The Stage from the balcony
The opening marked the culmination of years of work on the formerly dilapidated vaudeville theater. In 2000, the SJRA devoted $7.2 million to purchase the building and make seismic improvements.  An additional $6.1 million went to historic restoration and tenant improvements such as utility upgrades. The Improv has spent approximately $1.5 million on improvements including state-of-the-art sound and interior lighting.

The result is a showcase theater that supports contemporary uses while reflecting San Jose’s past. The partially salvaged pressed-tin ceiling sports new gold leaf along the edges. Cherry wood and ornately carved moldings and cornices highlight the 450-seat theatre. The original terra cotta façade has been thoroughly refurbished and sets off a pink and green marquee.

“It’s a wonderful, historic theater, and it is ideal for live entertainment,” said Tony Baldino, President of Comedy Clubs Inc. “There’s not a bad seat in the house. We’ve tried to keep the décor original and restore or duplicate it. This will be the nicest Improv in the country.”
Mayor Ron Gonzales speaks

 “Saving the Jose Theatre and returning it to use for live entertainment is an outstanding accomplishment for the people of our community,” said San José Mayor Ron Gonzales.

Council member Cindy Chavez speaks
Originally opened in 1904, the Jose Theatre is the only remaining Bay Area theater from that era, according to Jack Douglas, Emeritus Historic Landmarks Commission.  It was built in the then-fashionable Spanish eclectic style, with an interior designed to house traveling vaudeville shows.  During its heyday, the Jose Theatre hosted such famous performers as Al Jolson and Harry Houdini.

In the 1920’s, the entertainment industry underwent major changes due to live entertainment being replaced by motion pictures, and modifications to the Jose Theatre reflected this shift.  In 1921, the Jose was purchased by local movie mogul James Beatty, who owned two other theaters in Downtown San Jose and a total of 19 theaters in Northern California.  He renamed it Beatty’s American Theater and renovated it with new seats, a remodeled lobby, new projection equipment, and the current neon marquee.
PAC*SJ President Patt Curia speaks

 “The Jose Theatre has many ties to the past, not only for San Jose, but for all of California,” said Patt Curia, President of the Preservation Action Council of San Jose. 
Comedian Paul Rodrigues speaks
Ribbon cutting
From the 1950’s through the 1970’s, as downtown movie houses throughout the country experienced an ominous decline, the Jose thrived by catering to the surrounding neighborhood.  Two fires, one in 1977 and another in 1989, almost extinguished the Jose before the Loma Prieta earthquake closed it completely.  In 1990, with tremendous support from the community and the City’s Historic Landmarks Commission, the Jose Theatre was made a City Landmark.

It was threatened in 1996 by a developer who wanted to demolish it. Preservationists fought to save the building and eventually the city took it over in settlement of PAC*SJ’s lawsuit for violation of the California environmental impact law.

 “The Jose Theatre has many ties to the past, not only for San Jose, but for all of California,” said Patt Curia, President of the Preservation Action Council of San Jose.  “It’s a link to a time when audiences came from miles around to witness vaudeville performances, and now it has come full circle as a venue for live entertainment.”

Note: Most text excerpted from a SJRA press release

11/06/03