San Clemente’s beloved Cabrillo Playhouse is taking a well-earned bow - and preparing for its grandest curtain call yet. After two years of fundraising and construction, the playhouse’s first major reconstruction in decades is nearly complete. More than $250,000 was raised to ‘Raise the Roof,’ literally, over the stage area and give performers a deeper, more flexible space to work their magic.

 

“We’ve had generous donations from our patrons and subscribers that allowed us to reach our ambitious fundraising goals,” said Board President Hilary Pearson, who has been instrumental in shepherding the transformation.

Originally built as a private home in 1928, the Cabrillo’s charming Spanish-style structure has long been a fixture on San Clemente’s Historic Buildings list. It was transformed into a theater in 1966, and the mortgage was paid off in the late 1900s - a blessing that helped the little playhouse survive the dark days of the COVID pandemic.

“The main thing this project allows us to do is have bigger sets and three extra feet of room upstage,” explained Artistic Director Michael Lopez. “We’ve also gained six feet of height above the stage, which means better lighting and no more actors ducking or worrying about singeing their hair on the lights.”

The renovation also brought much-needed modern touches - including updated restrooms and full ADA compliance, with new wheelchair seating and accessibility features that ensure everyone can enjoy the show comfortably.

When construction began this summer, it looked like the theater’s popular Garden Cabarets might have to take a hiatus. But that’s when a bit of local magic stepped in. Casino San Clemente owner Linda Sadeghi offered her historic venue as a temporary home for the Cabarets.

“The Casino is such a gorgeous space - it’s been an honor to have our shows perform there,” Pearson said. Audiences agreed. Attendance soared, and several performances doubled their usual crowd sizes.

The collaboration was such a hit that it’s now expanding. This December 18, 19, and 20 at 7:30pm, the Cabrillo and Casino will join forces to revive one of San Clemente’s favorite traditions - dinner theater. In the 1970s and ’80s, the Casino hosted the beloved Sebastian’s Dinner Theater. Now, the stage lights will shine again for The Murder Mystery at the Murder Mystery, a lively, audience-participation whodunit. Tickets are $75 per person for dinner and the show, available at www.cabrilloplayhouse.org

Before the new season begins, the community is invited to an Open House on Sunday, December 7, offering a first look inside the beautifully refreshed Cabrillo Playhouse.

Then, the spotlight rises on January 16 for a season unlike any other. Typically, Cabrillo’s six-play schedule runs September through June, but this year’s construction pushed the start to January. The new 2025–26 season will run through September, immediately followed by the 2026–27 lineup — giving audiences back-to-back seasons of top-notch local theater.

The season opens with Company, the six-time Tony Award–winning musical (and record-setting 14-time nominee) about one man’s journey through friendship, love, and the question of whether it’s time to settle down.

From its historic walls to its brand-new stage, the Cabrillo Playhouse continues to prove what community theater does best - celebrate creativity, connection, and the enduring charm of live performance in the heart of San Clemente.