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CCDC News: TV Personality Mario Lopez to Co-Host Balboa Theatre Gala Benefit January 31

NEWS RELEASE

Date: January 14, 2008

                                                                                                Contact: Derek Danziger

                 (619) 533-7103 or

Tiffany Metti

619-533-7136

               www.ccdc.com

TV PERSONALITY MARIO LOPEZ TO CO-HOST

BALBOA THEATRE GALA BENEFIT, JANUARY 31

Orchestrated by Jung-Ho Pak with guest appearance by

Steve Gouveia of “Jersey Boys”

SAN DIEGO— A limited number of tickets are now on sale for the Balboa Theatre Gala Benefit Performance on Thursday, January 31. The event will feature a Roaring Twenties-themed on-street celebration followed by a live original performance hosted by San Diego native and TV personality Mario Lopez (Dancing with the Stars) along with NBC San Diego’s Kimberly King. Westfield Horton Plaza is the event’s title sponsor with Donald and Darlene Shiley serving as presenting sponsors.

The program is billed a “A Musical Journey Through Time,” highlighting the various eras of the Balboa Theatre’s unique history with live music, song and dance and is orchestrated by Jung Ho Pak, renowned artistic director and conductor of the San Diego Chamber Orchestra. The event will also include a special performance by San Diego native Steve Gouveia from the original Tony Award Winning Broadway cast of "Jersey Boys", a performance by the U.S. Navy Band and California Ballet, and additional surprises throughout the night. Tickets range from $75-$250 and can be purchased online at www.sdbalboa.org or by calling 619-570-1100.

Event proceeds will benefit The Balboa Theatre Endowment Fund, managed through the San Diego Foundation, to enable local non-profit performing arts groups to apply for grants to help underwrite their use of the theater for future events. The endowment fund will be managed by the chairs of the City of San Diego’s Arts and Culture Commission, San Diego Theatres, and the Balboa Theatre Foundation.

BALBOA THEATRE HISTORY

After numerous unsuccessful efforts over the past 18 years to renovate and reopen the Balboa Theatre privately, the Centre City Development Corporation is nearing completion of the $26.5 million restoration project to return the venue to its original glory. Completed in several phases, the project has been designed and orchestrated by national historic restoration and performing arts specialists Westlake Reed Leskosky of Phoenix, Arizona.

New state-of-the-art mechanical, electrical and performance systems comprising rigging, lighting and audiovisual technology have been installed, including full-variable acoustics.  The lobby, box office, loading area and public amenities have been improved and expanded.  The audience chamber and balcony have been revitalized with new seating and restored decorative ceiling and walls. Enhancements also include recreation of the blade sign and marquee, the addition of an orchestra pit lift and orchestra side shell panels. The structure is now reinforced for seismic stability.  

The Balboa Theatre will be managed by San Diego Theatres, the nonprofit, public benefit corporation established to manage and operate publicly owned performing arts theaters. Under the terms of an operating agreement with the City of San Diego, they are also responsible for the management, marketing, operations and maintenance of the San Diego Civic Theatre. A lineup of shows at the Balboa Theatre has already been announced and is available at www.sdbalboa.org. The Balboa Theatre is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

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CCDC is a public, nonprofit corporation created by the City of San Diego in 1975 to facilitate the redevelopment of downtown’s 1,500 acres.

About CCDC
Centre City Development Corporation (CCDC) is a public, nonprofit corporation established in 1975 by the City of San Diego to plan and facilitate the redevelopment of downtown’s 1,500 acres. To learn more, visit: www.ccdc.com

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