Dedicated on March 5th, 1927, this lavish facility was built by John Steven McGroarty for his famed "Mission Play." The world-renown production told the dramatic story of the founding of the California missions by the Franciscan Fathers under the leadership of Father Junipero Serra. After the end of the 1932 season and an astounding 3,198 performances, the effects of the depression plus an attempt to produce it on Broadway ended the long run of the play that told the story of the romance of early California. This landmark structure was soon returned to the holders of the mortgage where its future was in doubt. During the ensuing decade, the Mission Playhouse, as it was known then, served as a movie theatre. Also, during the severe housing shortage during the war years the playhouse dressing rooms were converted into apartments.

It was in the mid-40's that a group of San Gabriel residents formed a citizen's committee whose goal was to see the playhouse purchased by the City. Although the first initiative was turned down by the voters in April of 1945, it was successfully passed in August of that year at which time the City purchased the Mission Playhouse and renamed it the San Gabriel Civic Auditorium and on September 26, 2007 the City renamed the Theatre again back to the original name. It is now called the San Gabriel Mission Playhouse. Today the Auditorium looks much as it did while "The Mission Play" was in production. The architectural style is basically Spanish, but with Mexican and Indian influences apparent in the decor. The facade, designed to resemble McGroarty's favorite mission, San Antonio de Padua in Monterey County, is clearly the most identifiable aspect of the building and can be seen for miles.

Theatre