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The Belasco

The Belasco

Architects: Morgan, Walls & Clements

First Opened: 1st November 1926 (97 years ago)

Reopened as a nightclub: 19th March 2011

Status: Nightclub / Live events venue

Website: www.thebelasco.com Open website in new window

Telephone: (213) 746-5670 Call (213) 746-5670

Address: 1050 South Hill St, Los Angeles, CA 90015 Show address in Google Maps (new window)


The Belasco Theatre opened in late 1926 under the management of Edward Belasco and partners – Edward was the brother of famous New York theatre producer David Belasco. The same management team operated the Mayan Theatre, which was built next door immediately after the Belasco was completed.

Featured Photos

Detailed Information

The Mayan (left) and Belasco (right) theatres in 2018
The Mayan (left) and Belasco (right) theatres in 2018

The Belasco and Mayan theatres were designed by the architectural firm Morgan, Walls & Clements, with Stiles O. Clements taking the lead. Whereas the Mayan Theatre was designed for comedy-musicals, the Belasco was aimed at hosting legitimate drama. The plan was that having two theatres on Hill St programmed with complementary entertainment would “serve to transfer the city’s theatrical center to that part of the city”.

Oil magnate Edward L. Doheny owned and financed the building, and the theatre was originally going to be called the Doheny Theatre, however one month ahead of opening it was announced the name would be the Belasco Theatre, in honor of famous New York director, producer, and playwright David Belasco. Having David’s brother Edward on the management team, and the theatre bearing his name, would surely secure all of David Belasco’s great plays to make it over from New York to this new theatre in Los Angeles.

The exterior of the theatre has an exotic Spanish Conquistador theme, with a series of seven conquistador figures set within pineapple-shaped niches across the top of the façade. The Belasco’s auditorium was designed in a combination of Spanish Renaissance and Moorish styles, and contains a huge yet shallow highly-decorated and gilded dome. At its opening it was said to have “an utter absence of the gaudiness which formerly characterized the decoration of even our best playhouses”. Broader than it was deep, every seat was close enough to the stage to make things feel intimate.

Architect’s rendering of the theatre
Architect’s rendering of the theatre

The Belasco was noted for its novel and modern features including a hydraulic Orchestra Pit lift and a lighting system “by which there is never a shadow on the face of anyone sitting in the auditorium”. Much attention was given to the acoustics of the theatre, with noted expert Professor Wallace C. Sabine of Yale University being engaged in the design and construction phase, later joined by Professor Vern O. Knudsen of Stanford University.

During the 1930s the theatre participated in the Federal Theater Project (FTP), established by the Works Progress Administration with the goal of employing of out-of-work artists, writers, and directors; and a secondary aim of entertaining poor families and creating relevant art. Another FTP theatre in Los Angeles at the time was the Hollywood Playhouse (now Avalon Hollywood).

In 1948 the Belasco was sold by the Doheny estate to Belco Properties, Inc. and the theatre quickly moved toward a program of burlesque stage and screen shows.

The Belasco as a Nightclub
The Belasco as a Nightclub

The last movie double-bill was screened on 7th June 1950 after the property was sold the previous day to the Immanuel Gospel Temple for $200,000, to be converted into a church. The Belasco’s use as a church continued when the Metropolitan Community Church (MCC) purchased it in 1973, following the destruction (through suspected arson) of their previous “mother church” on South Union Avenue.

In January 1985 the MCC listed the building for sale at $2.1 million. The Shubert Organization toured the theatre in late January 1985 but decided the stage was lacking in terms of depth and wing space, and that the local area itself was not viable for legitimate theatre. The church ultimately vacated the building in August 1987.

By August 1988 the building had been purchased by local developer Michael M. Bolour. Remedial work was done on the theatre while Bolour worked on plans for how to monetize his investment. From the public perspective the theatre sat largely dormant, save for the odd movie shoot or special event such as the launch of the PlayStation 2 game “Underworld” by Sony.

Ballroom, located behind the balcony
Ballroom, located behind the balcony

On 19th March 2011 the Belasco officially re-opened as a multi-purpose live entertainment venue, following renovations and improvements costing in the region of $10 million. The 400-person ballroom at the rear of the balcony, above the lobby, is now an events space accessible separately from the main theatre.

Orchestra / main floor seating has been removed however seating has been retained in the balcony with the addition of cocktail tables. Backstage access from the alley running behind the theatre is now a level access from alley to stage floor and into the auditorium, allowing for some interesting uses such as staging car shows within the auditorium for the launch of the 2013 Shelby GT500 at the LA Auto Show in 2011.

On 9th July 2011, Prince William and wife Catherine attended a black-tie dinner and reception at the Belasco, hosted by BAFTA, the British Academy of Film & Television Arts Link opens in new window.

The Belasco is no stranger to the movies having appeared in End Of Days (1999), Being John Malkovich (1999), Swordfish (2001), Memoirs Of A Geisha (2005), The Prestige (2006), and Jersey Boys (2014).

Auditorium from Stage
Auditorium from Stage

Despite changes in use over the years, the Belasco has retained its paint bridge at the rear of the stage. A gantry runs along the rear wall, between left and right Fly Floors and approximately 20ft (6.1m) above the stage floor, to facilitate the painting of a backdrop which would be hung on the rearmost batten. Other Los Angeles area theatres to retain their Paint Bridges/Frames are the Globe Theatre (Downtown LA) and the Rialto Theatre (South Pasadena).

Another point of historic interest is the original “milk glass” lettering which is still in-situ above the entrance on the façade of the building. It is the only remaining example of original milk glass interchangeable lettering on a theatre in Los Angeles.

In January 2020 it was announced that Live Nation would expand their Southern California clubs and theatres portfolio with the addition of the Belasco, joining other historic venues managed by Live Nation such as the Wiltern, Hollywood Palladium, and the Regent Theatre.

Movie, TV & Music Video Appearances

Movies

Television

Video from our YouTube channel:

Listed/Landmark Building Status

How do I visit The Belasco?

As of mid-2017 the Belasco does not offer tours however they host a multitude of events which are available to book online on the Belasco Theatre’s website Link opens in new window. Additionally, church group Hillsong Link opens in new window run services several times a day every Sunday at the Belasco.


Upcoming Special Events

And That’s Why We Drink: On The Rocks (2nd May 2024, 7pm)

And That’s Why We Drink: On The Rocks

Part of Netflix is a Joke Fest Link opens in new window, running 2nd to 12th May 2024 in Los Angeles.

Hosted by New York Times best selling authors Em Schulz and Christine Schiefer, "And That’s Why We Drink" is an award-winning comedy podcast, where the paranormal and true-crime meet. Launched in February 2017, each new episode is a deep dive into whatever paranormal and true crime stories the hosts are obsessing over that week. The podcast has over 196 million lifetime downloads, and is consistently ranked at the top of the comedy podcast charts. The podcast is the winner of the 2019, 2021 and 2022 People’s Voice “Webby” award for Best Comedy Podcast, the 2022 and 2023 People’s Choice Podcast Award in the Comedy Category, the 2023 winner in the Best True Crime Podcast for the People’s Choice Awards, the 2023 Signal Awards Gold winner in Best Commute Podcast and True Crime Categories, the 2023 Silver Davey Award winners in the Best Co-Hosts and Best Crime & Mystery Categories, the W3 Awards Gold winner in the General Series Crime and Mystery Category and the Silver winner in the Best Co-Hosts Category. Em and Christine have been touring the show since 2018 -- with their latest live tour, “On the Rocks,” selling out across North America. In May 2022, Em and Christine released their first book together called “A Haunted Road Atlas” -- which debuted on the New York Times bestsellers list.

2nd May at 7pm.

Click here to go to the event website. Link opens in new window

Further Reading

Online

Books

Technical Information

Flying System
Grid Height
67ft
General Information
Seating Capacity
1,061 as of 1949. Current configuration 900 (seated), 1,500 (standing).
Stage Dimensions
Curtain line to back wall
28ft
Proscenium Height
38ft
Proscenium Width
42ft
Historic Photos & Documents
Files displayed in this section may be subject to copyright; refer to our Copyright Fair Use Statement regarding our use of copyrighted media.

Photos of The Belasco

Jump to Photo Section:

  1. Auditorium: Orchestra
  2. Auditorium: Balcony
  3. Auditorium: Closeups
  4. Ballroom
  5. Public Areas
  6. Exterior
  7. Backstage
Auditorium: Orchestra

The auditorium originally sat just over 1,000 on two levels. The orchestra level is now at the same level as the stage although decking is commonly used to build up a stage which is higher than the audience. The balcony retains its terracing but is populated with semi-private areas, banquette seating, and cocktail tables.

Auditorium: Balcony

The auditorium originally sat just over 1,000 on two levels. The orchestra level is now at the same level as the stage although decking is commonly used to build up a stage which is higher than the audience. The balcony retains its terracing but is populated with semi-private areas, banquette seating, and cocktail tables.

Auditorium: Closeups

Much attention was paid to the acoustics of the theatre, including employing noted acoustician Prof. Wallace C. Sabine of Yale University at the design stage. The interior features plasterwork, imitating draperies, to afford a superior acoustic response.

Ballroom

The 400-person ballroom at the rear of the balcony, above the lobby, is an events space accessible separately from the main theatre. At one time it was a dance studio.

Public Areas

The Ballroom above the entrance lobby was originally a separate dance studio however is now an independent events space which can be accessed when needed from the rear of the auditorium balcony.

Exterior

The Belasco Theatre sits immediately adjacent and to the south of the Mayan Theatre. The Belasco was built first, and when it was completed work started on the Mayan. Both theatres were under the same management with complementary programming – never in competition. The Belasco was used for legitimate drama whereas the Mayan was used for musical comedies.

The exterior of the theatre has an exotic Spanish Conquistador theme, with a series of seven conquistador figures set within pineapple-shaped niches across the top of the façade.

Backstage

When the Belasco was turned into a live events venue in the early 2000s, scenic flying equipment was removed and all flown pieces are now dead hung. Seismic bracing was added in the Downstage Left corner of the stagehouse. There are VIP balconies on raised levels at either side of the stage.

In accordance with the latest fashions of the time in 1926, a central Green Room was built under the stage in which wealthy and notable patrons would meet the players from the stage in “Drury Lane” style. The Pasadena Playhouse was the first theatre in the Los Angeles area to have a Green Room in this style, and the Belasco followed suit.



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