El Rey Theatre entertains once again

An updated classic

By Elise Watkins

Due to the legacy and strong-standing the El Rey Theatre has in the Chico community, the El Rey has recently reopened its doors to the city of Chico.

The El Rey was built in 1905 and was the first theatre to appear in Chico. It still stands today at 230 W. Second St. as the oldest and largest single-screen theatre north of Sacramento. It was once known as the Majestic Theatre with murals of elves, fairies and even a scene from Peter Pan drawn on the walls.

The theatre closed in 2005 and plans were made to turn it into office space and condos with an underground parking lot until plans were changed.

"Eric Hart actually approached us with the idea of restoring and re-opening the theatre and using it as a Chico Performing Arts Center." -- Jonny Starkey

Eric Hart, owner of the Senator Theatre, had proposed his idea of reopening the El Rey Theatre to JMAX Productions, a music booking company based out of Chico who gladly accepted the idea.

"Eric Hart actually approached us with the idea of restoring and re-opening the theatre and using it as a Chico Performing Arts Center," Jonny Starkey of JMAX Productions said.

The theatre is now owned by Eric Hart and managed by JMAX Productions. The space is rentable to almost anyone for various purposes such as plays, lectures, dances, live performances, comedy shows and much more.

Many people who remember the theatre before it closed are excited that it's back and looking better than ever.

"I'm so glad the theatre is back up and running," said Chico State senior Monica O'Conner. "It is so big and beautiful; it would've been a shame if it was just turned into an office structure."

The El Rey Theatre also has the capabilities to show movies on the big screen as it did when it first opened. However, it only plays independent films because otherwise rights to the films would need to be purchased.

The theatre holds as many as 750 people at a time, allowing large live performances to take place. It costs roughly $1500 to rent the theatre for a performance on a Friday or Saturday, and $1200 to show a movie. This includes fees such as staffing, box office, cleaning, ticketing and insurance.

"The theatre costs less to rent out for movie showings due to expensive equipment rentals for performances," Starkey said.

The theatre has been renewed, the seats have been re-upholstered and they are currently working on restoring the old murals on the walls. The El Rey has re-opened with the same magic that the Majestic once had; with a new approach, for any type of crowd.