Rialto Theatre

Now, imagine it’s 1920—Congress Street is buzzing, people in bowler hats and flapper dresses crowd the sidewalks, and right here, the Rialto Theatre opens its doors for the very first time. Back then, the excitement wasn’t for rock bands or stand-up comedy, but for silent movies flickering away on the big screen and vaudeville acts that could make you laugh, gasp, or even hide your eyes behind your popcorn. The first movie ever shown here? An old western called “The Toll Gate.” Picture the crowd, holding their breath as a villain gets chased across the wild frontier! Just across the street, the builders of the Rialto were also busy finishing up the Hotel Congress—same year, same team, two historic landmarks rising together. In those days, the Rialto was state-of-the-art, though believe it or not, “state-of-the-art” meant a swamp cooler for air conditioning—a far cry from the chilly blasts you get in theaters today. In 1929, the glamour got cranked up another notch when a big corporation, Paramount-Publix, took over. That’s when “talkies” arrived—movies with sound, if you can imagine the crowd’s excitement the first time voices crackled out of those big speakers! New red plush seats, fancy Art Nouveau decorations, and—trust me—some very relieved theatergoers when that swamp cooler was installed. But the Rialto’s life wasn’t all glitz and glamour. In the 1960s, things got tough. Downtown Tucson faced hard times, people moved out, and business dropped off. By 1963, the grand old theater was shut down, its grand stage forgotten as it filled up with dusty couches and dressers for a furniture store. Then came a new name—El Cine Plaza—and a totally new crowd, with Spanish-language films lighting up the screen. And, just when you think this theater’s seen it all, it briefly turned into an adult movie house! Yes, really—this place has probably seen more plot twists than a soap opera. Local legend even talks about an outraged resident who tried to burn the theater down, and actually succeeded in setting the balcony stairs on fire! After another stint as a Spanish-language cinema, a disastrous boiler explosion in 1984 nearly ended the story for good. The blast destroyed the stage and forced the city to shut the building down. For years, the Rialto just sat here, silent and empty, saved only by its sturdy walls and the memories of thousands of Tucsonans. But in 1995, the Rialto’s hero moment arrived. Paul Bear and Jeb Schoonover took a gamble, bought the theater, and brought the music roaring back. Suddenly, the Rialto was hosting some of the biggest acts around—from rock bands like The Black Crowes and Linkin Park to comedy legends like Dave Chappelle. It was the place to be, drawing crowds downtown once again. Every show brought its own rhythm and roar; you could practically feel the bass shaking the walls during a good concert! In 2004, a new era began when the City of Tucson purchased the building and the Rialto Theatre Foundation stepped in. Over two million dollars went into sprucing up those battered old seats, patching up walls, polishing historic Art Nouveau touches—and, finally, putting in some REAL air conditioning. Now, with improved acoustics and a dazzling mix of concerts, dance, and special events, the Rialto welcomes over 100,000 visitors a year and throws more than 150 events annually.