A very special welcome to the historic EL PORTAL THEATRE in the heart of the NoHo Arts District — a dynamic three-theatre performing arts complex featuring the 360-Seat Debbie Reynolds MainStage, 96-Seat Monroe Forum (currently leased and operated by Comedy Sportz - see below)* and the award winning Stuart Roger’s 42-Seat Theatre Tribe. 

The El Portal Theatre was built in 1926 as a Vaudeville and Silent Movie House in anticipation for “TALKIES” which  were right around the corner in the early 30’s. (See History of El Portal on this site). In May of 2016 the El Portal Management team welcomed James Bailey and the Comedy Sportz organization to a permanent lease at the Monroe Forum. You can contact Comedy Sportz on their website or at (323) 871-1193.

Since its reopening and redevelopment in the NoHo Arts District in 2000 the historic El Portal Theatre has featured musicals, plays, dance, educational arts programs, and unique acts from around the world. Celebrities including Dick Van Dyke, Debbie Reynolds, Bea Arthur, Jimmy Kimmel, Billy Goldenberg, Kitty Carlisle Hart, Jo Anne Worley, Fritz Coleman, Smokey Robinson, Rene Taylor, Joe Bologna, Rachel Bloom, James Corden, Charles Nelson Reilly, Sam Harris, Neil Patrick Harris, Sally Struthers, Kate McKinnon, Carol Lawrence, Joe Campenello, Fred Savage, Leslie Jones, Todrick Hall, Ruta Lee, Matt Walker, Beth Kennedy, Bobby Creighton, Ron Dante, Adrienne Barbeau, Jamie Lee Curtis, and many more have starred on the MainStage. 

On June 30, 2017 something magical happened when we renamed the 360-Seat Mainstage THE DEBBIE REYNOLDS MAINSTAGE. The famous “Yellow Slicker Tap Dance” (as pictured below) captured the hearts of almost everyone!  
And then the highlights continued in 2019  with … the world premiere of JULIUS WEEZER with the Troubies, and another unique "Another Night in the Catskills“ variety show  produced by Ron Kurtz and Gary Grantham. Ron Kurtz (better known as 3,000 Miles Off Broadway) is also responsible for the tribute concerts in 2019, the return of ABBA MANIA and THE EVERLY BROTHERS  EXPERIENCE featuring the Zmed Brothers, and Tim Piper’s JUST IMAGINE.

LA’s award-winning Pacific Opera Project performed the unique “Super Flute,” their video-game spin on The Magic Flute. POP returns in March 2020 with another crowd-pleaser, Cosi Fan Tutte, with sets and costumes inspired by the movie Gone With the Wind.

Closing out the landmark year in December 2019 El Portal welcomed 13 sold out performances of THE TROUBIES and  A CHRISTMAS CAROLE KING with the genius creativity of Matt Walker and Beth Kennedy at the helm! A perfect closing of an exciting and landmark year. We can’t wait to see what exciting show they create in 2020.

The El Portal Theatre is frequently called the Jewel in the North Hollywood Crown — and boasts a three-sided marquee facing the boulevard that has been a location many times for film and television shoots.   

Please join us for the best in music, dance, comedy, and theatre, or for your special event.  Again ... A Very Special Welcome to you and please explore our website and visit our Judith Kaufman Art Gallery, and before the performance enjoy refreshments at our El Portal Pub in the lobby prior to the show and at intermission!

Jay Irwin/ Pegge Forrest
Producers/ Managers
El Portal Theatre