The San Gabriel Mission Playhouse where History meets the Arts

Completed in 1927, and modeled after the Mission San Antonio de Padua, the San Gabriel Mission Playhouse was built by poet, Los Angeles Times columnist, and Democratic Congressman from California, John Steven McGroarty, with the sole purpose of having a large stage to present his epic "Mission Play”.

Essentially, the play’s story and plot are about the lives, stories, and compelling tales of the people that were part of the Mission’s development in early California history. “Mission Play” is a drama about the founding of the California missions by the Franciscan Fathers, under the leadership of Father Junipero Serra. A classic example of "Mission Revival Style architecture," the Mission Playhouse has a stage, and dressing rooms, large enough to accommodate the cast of 150, for the 4½ hour production.

Sadly, in 1932, the Great Depression forced the San Gabriel Mission Playhouse to close.

After several years of decay and disruption– including a severe housing shortage during the war years, when the playhouse’s dressing rooms were converted into apartments– in the mid-40’s a group of fretful San Gabriel inhabitants decided to form a citizen’s committee to have the Playhouse purchased by the City.

Success was achieved in 1945, and the city purchased the Mission Playhouse, fulfilling the vision by its founder, John Steven McGroarty’s , that it forever belong to the people.

Today, the Mission Playhouse is a modern facility that is home to many outstanding performing arts groups, including the Music Theater of Southern California, which has presented many successful seasons of the Best of Broadway since 1984.

Located at 320 S. Mission Dr. San Gabriel, the Mission Playhouse, is well worth a visit to history past and present, and where art and architecture are icing on this iconic building, its history, its symbolism, and its importance to California’s Mission system that presaged modern life here.

Aptly situated in the heart of the San Gabriel Historical Walk, the San Gabriel Mission Playhouse is clearly a unique and special place you’ll find while Travelin’ Local where History really does meet Art in every single way possible.

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