Downey Theatre has the potential to attract quality acts

DOWNEY - The Downey Civic Theatre has been a landmark staple for the city for years and while it has been the host to many local theatrical events, its potential to draw big-named music, theatrical and comedic acts has yet to be explored.The 738-seat theatre has hosted a wide variety of events in the past, ranging from musical concerts, plays, award ceremonies, and dance showcases. The theatre is professionally equipped with the highest quality lighting, acoustics, wardrobe and green rooms, all the ingredients for a night of entertainment. While the likes of A-list music acts like the Foo Fighters and Lady Gaga need the nearby stadiums such as Staples and Honda Center to house their rampant fans, there are still many named acts that could make quite an impression at the local theatre. Musicals and plays are a huge draw when touring shows come off Broadway in New York and into town at the Pantages Theatre in Los Angeles and the even closer Cerritos Performing Arts Center. Both venues have been able to secure a variety of different stage productions in the past, catering to adult nostalgia and families with small children. With the capabilities of putting on a full stage production, musical plays such as "Beauty and the Beast," "Mary Poppins," and "Grease" would without a doubt be a major success and draw a huge crowd locally. Concerts continue to be an event that people plan for while investing more than just money, but also their devotion to particular artists. With every seat in the Downey Theatre a perfect view of the stage, concert goers would be able to have an experience with their favorite artists that huge stadiums can't affordably provide. Artists such as Downey's very own Miranda Cosgrove, whose own music career has blossomed over the past year, would be an ideal headliner for the theatre, who would attract many of the stars young local fans. Emerging artists such as Hot Chelle Rae and Jason Reeves and legendary artists like Pat Benatar and the Beach Boys would add to the variety of concert acts fit for the local stage. Comedic acts also tend to draw huge crowds at larger scale theaters and the Downey Theatre would be the perfect venue for comedians to get crowds laughing. Comedians new and seasoned headliners at the nearby Improv and Laugh Factory clubs and would definitely add to the growing list of entertainment possibilities the Downey Theatre could host. With several new shows recently scheduled for the Downey Theatre, it will be interesting to see what the city's flagship theatre will evolve into over the next few years and what types of entertainment possibilities will blow through its doors.

********** Published: September 01, 2011 - Volume 10 - Issue 20