Kirk Douglas Theatre

9820 Washington Boulevard,
Culver City, CA 90232

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Related Websites

Center Theatre Group -- Kirk Douglas Theatre

Additional Info

Previously operated by: Fox Circuit

Architects: Carl G. Moeller

Functions: Live Performances, Live Theater

Styles: Streamline Moderne

Previous Names: Culver Theatre

Phone Numbers: Box Office: 213.628.2772

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News About This Theater

Kirk Douglas Theatre - Culver City, CA

The Culver Theatre opened on August 13, 1946 with a seating capacity of 1,150(on a stadium plan with no overhanging balcony). The Culver Theatre was located near the Columbia Pictures studio lot (then the lot for MGM). It was built for and operated by Fox West Coast Theatres.

Originally, much like surrounding downtown Culver City, the Culver Theatre was a key part of classic Hollywood’s thriving entertainment community. But, eventually, much of the entertainment industry moved to points north and the theatre grew tired and worn over the years. It was tripled on January 14, 1976. It was closed in 1989.

Following severe damage caused by the Northridge easrthquake in 1994, the theatre’s auditorium, which had been triplexed earlier, was gutted as part of an abestos removal project. In 2002 work began to convert the theatre into a live performance space for the Center Theatre Group. It reopened in 2004.

Now renamed the Kirk Douglas Theatre, it operates as a performing arts center and playhouse. An $8 million restoration project, with a $1.25 million grant from the City of Culver, included the addition of two new stages, one with 100 seats and another with 350 seats. Most of the exterior has been preserved, including the box office and the signature mezzanine tile.

With the rebirth of the Culver/Kirk Douglas Theatre, the downtown area will receive its first legitimate theatre and a much needed shot in the arm.

The building is a Designated Historic-Cultural Monument.

Contributed by Ross Melnick

Recent comments (view all 43 comments)

drb
drb on November 3, 2008 at 11:10 pm

New home for the “Culver” script:

View link

kencmcintyre
kencmcintyre on May 17, 2009 at 5:26 am

Here is a January 1950 ad from the LA Times:
http://tinyurl.com/qzmg5h

TLSLOEWS
TLSLOEWS on June 4, 2010 at 9:32 pm

Very nice 1947 photo ken mc.

socal09
socal09 on June 12, 2011 at 8:48 pm

New photos added, taken November 1995.

davidcoppock
davidcoppock on July 21, 2017 at 3:15 pm

This theatre was seen in an episode of Baywatch Nights(season 2 – episode 12, Possessed).

davidcoppock
davidcoppock on November 14, 2019 at 2:38 pm

This theatre(then called CulverTheatre) was seen briefly(up the street from the Freeway Angels building) in an episode of Chips(season 6, episode 11 – Day of the robot).

rivest266
rivest266 on November 17, 2019 at 6:41 pm

Reopened with three screens on January 14th, 1976. Grand opening ad posted.

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