Difference between revisions of "Aquarius Theatre"

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Aquarius Theatre was the Los Angeles theater for the  [[1980 - 81 North American Tour]] of ''[[The Rocky Horror Show]]''.
 
Aquarius Theatre was the Los Angeles theater for the  [[1980 - 81 North American Tour]] of ''[[The Rocky Horror Show]]''.
  
Originally named the Earl Carol Theater, it was the west coast sister to a theater of the same name in New York City. Dubbed an "entertainment palace" it was a grand supper club with an oversized stage and featured entertainment by "the most beautiful girls in the world." The exterior of the theater had a large, neon face of entertainer Beryl Wallace, which became a cultural icon of the area in that era. The theater was featured in many films and as a destination for Hollywood moguls and luminaries for many years. Its popularity began to wane in the early 1950s after the death of Wallace and Carroll in a plane crash. In 1953 it was purchased by a Las Vegas showman, and began its second life as the nightclub Moulin Rouge, and also doubled as the soundstage for TV's "Queen for a Day" game show.  
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Originally named the Earl Carroll Theater, it was the west coast sister to a theater of the same name in New York City. Dubbed an "entertainment palace" it was a grand supper club with an oversized stage and featured entertainment by "the most beautiful girls in the world." The exterior of the theater had a large, neon face of entertainer Beryl Wallace, which became a cultural icon of the area in that era. The theater was featured in many films and as a destination for Hollywood moguls and luminaries for many years. Its popularity began to wane in the early 1950s after the death of Wallace and Carroll in a plane crash. In 1953 it was purchased by a Las Vegas showman, and began its second life as the nightclub Moulin Rouge, and also doubled as the soundstage for TV's "Queen for a Day" game show.  
  
The times were a-changin' and in 1956 the club became The Hullabaloo, a rock club aimed at the exploding youth market. In 1968 to Kaleidoscope, still featuring local rock bands, and later the same year became the Los Angeles home of the Broadway musical ''Hair'', renaming itself The Aquarius and painting the exterior in psychedelic colors in honor of the groovy musical while Rock bands continued to play there on Mondays when the show was dark.  
+
The times were a-changin' and in 1956 the club became The Hullabaloo, a rock club aimed at the exploding youth market. In 1968, it was renamed as Kaleidoscope, still featuring local rock bands, and later the same year became the Los Angeles home of the Broadway musical ''Hair'', renaming itself The Aquarius and painting the exterior in psychedelic colors in honor of the groovy musical while Rock bands continued to play there on Mondays when the show was dark.  
  
 
In 1980, the historic Sunset Blvd location was chosen to host the 1980 revival tour of The Rocky Horror Show, which ran for several weeks beginning in February of 1981.  
 
In 1980, the historic Sunset Blvd location was chosen to host the 1980 revival tour of The Rocky Horror Show, which ran for several weeks beginning in February of 1981.  
  
in 1983, the theater was sold again and was re-fasioned into a TV studio. The first production there was ''Star Search'', and was the home of the annual ''Jerry Lewis Telethon'' for many years. In 1990, it became Nickelodeon Studios, and was home many of the cable kids' networks' productions.   
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in 1983, the theater was sold again and was re-fashioned into a TV studio. The first production there was ''Star Search'', and was the home of the annual ''Jerry Lewis Telethon'' for many years. In 1990, it became Nickelodeon Studios, and was home many of the cable kids' networks' productions.   
  
Through all its changes, the exterior morphed, but the ornate lobby was preserved. However, 2004, it was sold to a private equity firm as part of a larger parcel of property. The property was designated an Historic-Cultural Monument in December 2016 and is currently being incorporated into a new mixed-use development.  
+
Through all its changes, the exterior morphed, but the ornate lobby was preserved. However, 2004, it was sold to a private equity firm as part of a larger parcel of property. The property was designated an Historic-Cultural Monument in December 2016 and is currently being incorporated into a new mixed-use development.
  
 
==External Links==
 
==External Links==
 
The Rocky Horror Show at the Aquarius Theatre [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=REvcUmtoYMw&list=PLE1AF5BF50181DDCC]<br>
 
The Rocky Horror Show at the Aquarius Theatre [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=REvcUmtoYMw&list=PLE1AF5BF50181DDCC]<br>
 
Aquarius Theatre at Alison Martino's "Vintage Los Angeles" [http://martinostimemachine.blogspot.com/2009/09/blog-post_27.html]
 
Aquarius Theatre at Alison Martino's "Vintage Los Angeles" [http://martinostimemachine.blogspot.com/2009/09/blog-post_27.html]

Revision as of 20:31, 25 May 2018

1980-81 North American Tour Poster for the Aquarius Theatre
The Rocky Horror Show 1980 - 81 North American Tour

Theater Location: 6230 Sunset Boulevard, Hollywood CA

Theater Open Date: December 26, 1938

Theater Chain: Earl Carroll

Theater Status: Devolved

History

Aquarius Theatre was the Los Angeles theater for the 1980 - 81 North American Tour of The Rocky Horror Show.

Originally named the Earl Carroll Theater, it was the west coast sister to a theater of the same name in New York City. Dubbed an "entertainment palace" it was a grand supper club with an oversized stage and featured entertainment by "the most beautiful girls in the world." The exterior of the theater had a large, neon face of entertainer Beryl Wallace, which became a cultural icon of the area in that era. The theater was featured in many films and as a destination for Hollywood moguls and luminaries for many years. Its popularity began to wane in the early 1950s after the death of Wallace and Carroll in a plane crash. In 1953 it was purchased by a Las Vegas showman, and began its second life as the nightclub Moulin Rouge, and also doubled as the soundstage for TV's "Queen for a Day" game show.

The times were a-changin' and in 1956 the club became The Hullabaloo, a rock club aimed at the exploding youth market. In 1968, it was renamed as Kaleidoscope, still featuring local rock bands, and later the same year became the Los Angeles home of the Broadway musical Hair, renaming itself The Aquarius and painting the exterior in psychedelic colors in honor of the groovy musical while Rock bands continued to play there on Mondays when the show was dark.

In 1980, the historic Sunset Blvd location was chosen to host the 1980 revival tour of The Rocky Horror Show, which ran for several weeks beginning in February of 1981.

in 1983, the theater was sold again and was re-fashioned into a TV studio. The first production there was Star Search, and was the home of the annual Jerry Lewis Telethon for many years. In 1990, it became Nickelodeon Studios, and was home many of the cable kids' networks' productions.

Through all its changes, the exterior morphed, but the ornate lobby was preserved. However, 2004, it was sold to a private equity firm as part of a larger parcel of property. The property was designated an Historic-Cultural Monument in December 2016 and is currently being incorporated into a new mixed-use development.

External Links

The Rocky Horror Show at the Aquarius Theatre [1]
Aquarius Theatre at Alison Martino's "Vintage Los Angeles" [2]