Chico’s El Rey Theater will soon see new life.
Local nonprofit group Save the El Rey has secured funding to buy and save the historic theater, which has been on the market since April 2024..
For the last two years, the group has made it their mission to preserve the venue, which first opened in 1906, and renovate it for future use.
Board Member Joey Moshiri says the purchase still hasn't sunk in.
“It's surreal because … if I had won the lottery, this is what I would have done with my money,” Moshiri said. “I would have bought the building.”
The theater was listed for just under $2 million and was acquired thanks to a major grant from the Lupine Legacy Foundation, which helped close the gap.
“They are merely donating the money to our nonprofit, and we are the ones that are in charge of the building and everything else,” Moshiri said. “It's a fantastic grant from them, and they're incredible people to work with.”
The group has big plans for the Chico staple, including hosting more performances and events once it’s restored.
“We're really trying to make it very community-forward, and also to bring in even outside culture,” Moshiri added, “Because we're going to try and really get the stage and everything as up to date as possible.”
Proposed ideas for the space include independent film screenings, midnight movies, workshops, off-Broadway theater, burlesque, live music, touring performances, among others.
“If a place of infinite possibilities was going to turn into a parking lot, that is the most tragic story I've ever heard,” Moshiri said.
He says some of the funds will cover immediate repairs to the theater's deteriorating roof. The group plans temporary roof repairs to get through the winter, with a full renovation expected in the spring.
“It's a domed roof, and for acoustics, and it's really hard to work on, and so they've been patching it and patching it and patching it for years, and it just needs to be completely renovated,” Moshiri said.
Water intrusion has caused mold and damaged the theater's famously painted plaster fairy murals.
“The water coming in is actually washing them away,” Moshiri said. “It's not like they're covered in something, they're literally being washed away by the ingress of the water.”
Other work they hope to accomplish includes new HVAC and carpet removal, plus all code compliance needed to reopen the location. Cosmetic restoration may take second billing, while essential repairs take first priority.
“We're gonna really need community involvement and more fundraising and stuff to help renovate it,” Moshiri said.
Moshiri stressed that the group intends for the venue to be accessible and hopes it helps bring more visitors to downtown Chico.
“We really would love for it to be a hub. We would love for it to bring people to downtown to see a show,” Moshiri said. “But in coming to see a show, you might stop to get dinner somewhere and check out the shops.”
The group hopes to launch a Kickstarter campaign soon to fund future fixes.
