Curtain’s Rising at La Paloma

Over the past 63 years, it has been a movie house, a venue for punk rock concerts, and a pageant hall for local beauties to strut their stuff. Now, the chameleon-like La Paloma theater in Encinitas is trying for something new--legitimate theater.

In August, the theater presented the husband and wife team of Steve Allen and Jayne Meadows in A.R. Gurney’s “Love Letters.” Encouraged by the large audiences, co-owners Chuck Carroll and Steve Cotter wanted to move forward.

That second move forward will be taken next month (Oct. 5-6) when comedienne Kay Ballard brings her successful Off Broadway one-woman show, “Hey Ma,” to the La Paloma. The Saturday evening performance will be taped for a national cable television network.

“We’re going to continue with some movies, but basically, that’s not our main focus,” Cotter said. “We want to try to move more into quality live entertainment such as Steve Allen and Jayne Meadows in the ‘Love Letters’ play last month.”

Built in 1928, the 450-seat La Paloma is one of the last roomy, big-screen theaters in North County. The big stage makes it an ideal match for live theater, Cotter said.

Adding to the theater’s charm and a nod to days past is the Spanish architecture, the high arched ceilings and the hand-painted tiles that grace the interior walls and the ticket kiosk outside.

La Paloma has in the past decade been home to the San Dieguito Playhouse, the Community Coast Kids Theatre and the Christian Youth Theatre. Cotter said the theater will continue to be available for those community productions, as well as classical, folk and rock concerts and more classical and foreign film screenings.

“We do want to bring higher quality theater to the area,” Cotter said. We also want to keep it available to everyone of really different tastes. We are trying to appeal to the entire community.”

To inquire about future events and movies at the La Paloma, call 436-SHOW.