Mission Theater to reopen in January

The historic Mission Theater, idle for several months while its new owner went through a laborious permit process, will reopen in a few weeks.

Roy Moosa, who purchased the downtown venue last summer, reported the theater has passed inspections and he has secured the permits needed to host live performances.

Mission Theater will host its first public event under Moosa's ownership Jan. 18, when The 413 Project Repertory Theater presents Seussical the Broadway Musical. Termed a "fantastical, magical, musical extravaganza," Seussical will be presented several times during the weekends of Jan. 18-20 and Jan. 25-27.

Moosa reported that CAST Academy recently used the theater for a private dance recital for family and friends. The event attracted close to 300 people and everything went well, according to Moosa.

Moosa said a comment made on social media by a person that attended the CAST recital made him happy.

"They basically said that when they found out the theater was sold they were angry because they assumed whoever bought the theater was going to change everything and ruin it, and when they went there (for the recital) they were pleasantly surprised to see what existed actually was enhanced and that the theater was what they wanted it to be, and actually better than it was before," Moosa said.

"That was a nice compliment," continued Moosa, who has spruced up the theater. "I replied back that we realize the historical importance of the theater and how much it means to Fallbrook, and that our intention is to respect that and to try and bring the theater back to its glory days."

The Mission Theater has 288 seats and Moosa plans to offer the venue as a place to watch classic films, enjoy a concert or theatrical production, throw a party or host a meeting.

Moosa recently purchased new film equipment after a private movie screening was cut short.

"We did a trial run and showed a movie to just friends and family and it froze up halfway through it," Moosa said. "We bought new equipment."

Moosa also recently invested in neon lighting repairs for the theater's marquee.

"The main reason was to retain the historical value of that," Moosa said, adding that "neon is very expensive and uses a lot of electricity."

"Our plan is to use the neon (lights) when there is a program and use the LED lights when it's just on at night for lighting," Moosa said.

Moosa will offer food at the theater and is continuing to work on getting a permit that will allow him to offer beer and wine to patrons.