Immediate Release

Contact

November 7, 2002

David Vossbrink, (408) 277-3515
Communications Director

Restored Jose Theatre
Opens with "Improv" Comedy Club

Historic downtown vaudeville house saved by Mayor and City Council

San José Mayor Ron Gonzales will celebrate the completion of the restoration of the historic Jose Theater in downtown San José, CA and the opening of the Improv comedy club tomorrow. The ribbon cutting and media tour will take place tomorrow afternoon. The inaugural performance in the new Jose Theater with comedian Paul Rodriguez is tomorrow evening at 8 p.m.

12:30 p.m.
Friday, November 8

Jose Theater
62 South Second Street(between Santa Clara and San Fernando streets)

Mayor Ron Gonzales
Cindy Chavez, Councilmember
Patt Curia, President of Preservation Action Council San Jose (PAC SJ)

Originally opened in 1904, the Jose Theatre is the only remaining Bay Area theater from that era. It was built in the then-fashionable Spanish eclectic style, with an interior designed for traveling vaudeville shows. During its heydey, the Jose Theatre hosted such famous performers as Al Jolson and Harry Houdini.

In 2000, Mayor Gonzales and the City Council directed the San Jose Redevelopment Agency to purchase the Jose to save it from destruction and to begin construction of improvements for seismic safety, restoration, and modernization for today's performances. The Council approved the lease with the Improv in 2001.

The Improv was established in 1963 in New York City by owner and founder Budd Friedman to provide a venue where aspiring performers could showcase their talent. Over the past 40 years the Improv has become synonymous in the entertainment industry as the exclusive venue for up and coming performers. With the opening of the Jose Theater, the Improv now has 15 clubs across the nation. For information about the Improv, go to its website: www.improv.com.

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