Wharf Theater
Known today officially as the Bruce Ariss Wharf Theater, its history begins after World War II when Ariss, an artist and friend of John Steinbeck returned to the city of Monterey after working with his father's construction company.
The original Wharf Theater
Friend Yanko Varda introduced Bruce Ariss to Angelo Di Grolamo who had proposed the idea of a theatre on Fisherman's Wharf. Along with Dan Totheroh and Kenn Smith the group located financial backing from two sisters, Virginia and Barbara Blair who also found the location for the new theatre on Fisherman's Wharf.
Opening night was may 18th, 1950 with a production of "Happy Birthday". Ariss designed and built the set. In 1951 Kenn Smith leased the theater to "The Wharf Players, Inc". One of their presentation that year was Bruce Ariss' "Point of Departure". The production was successful enough that MGM brought Ariss to Hollywood where he worked for the following 5 years.
The theatre expanded and changed hands through the mid to late 1950's. On December 31st, 1959 the Wharf Theater was destroyed by a fire which broke out at 1:31 am.
The Old Monterey Opera House
In 1960 the theater re-opened in a newly refurbished location a few blocks from the wharf. Formerly "The Monterey Theater", home of the city's legitimate theatre from 1905 to 1930 and later a movie theater, it's first production was "West Side Story". The theatre continued producing shows that featured local talent as well as established theatrical names such as, John Kerr, Joe E. Brown, Ethal Waters, Gypsie Rose Lee, Zazu Pitts and Dame Judith Anderson. In 1963 it was renamed "The Old Monterey Opera House", and continued until untill the mid 1960's when redevelopment and urban renewalleveled the location.
The new Wharf Theater
After several years the idea of a new Wharf Theater gained momentum again with both Angelo Di Grolamo and Bruce Ariss. The new theatre proposed by Di Grolamo would be on Fisherman's Wharf again, located on a site he owed across from his restaurant. Although originally to small for a theater, the location was enlarged with the purchase of three barracks buildings by Ariss used as building material.
The new theatre complex would have an art gallery, and an office off the main lobby while on the first floor there would be room for shops. On Dec 3rd, 1976 The new Wharf Theater opened its door with a production of "Guys and Dolls".