Mission Mission Playhouse HISTORICAL WALK The Mission San Gabriel Arcangel Plaza Park The City Hall The Arcade Shops First Bank Building The Old City Hall Site The Salcido Store The Museum, Hayes House and Old Jail The Mission Playhouse Former Playhouse Gift Shop & The Grapevine Room The Old Grapevine Maps/Transportation Library Schools Parks Grapevine Arbor Mission District Valley Boulevard The Church of Our Saviour Episcopal Parish Hilton Los Angeles/San Gabriel Ramona Museum of California History San Gabriel Historical Association Museum/ Hayes House The Mission Playhouse was built by John Steven McGroarty to present his epic "Mission Play" when it outgrew its original building in Plaza Park. The play told the story of the founding of the California Missions and the lives of the people around them. Beginning in 1912, it drew people from all over the world to San Gabriel for 20 years and 3,500 performances. The new playhouse was completed for the 1927 season, with stage and dressing rooms large enough to accommodate the cast of 150 for the 4½ hour production. The Playhouse was acquired by the City in 1945, fulfilling McGroarty's wish that it belong forever to the people. He went on to become a two-term Congressman, and was Poet Laureate of California from 1933 until his death in 1944. The theater is now a modern facility that is home of many outstanding performing arts groups, including the San Gabriel Valley Music Theatre which has presented successful seasons of the Best of Broadway since 1984. Tours available by appointment: call (626) 308-2865