[NoHo Arts District, CA] – El Portal Theatre celebrates its 100th anniversary with Celebrating 100 Years!, a star-studded birthday spectacular featuring Broadway and Hollywood favorites on Saturday, November 28, 2026, at 7 p.m. on the historic Debbie Reynolds Mainstage in the NoHo Arts District.
A century of unforgettable performances, legendary entertainers and North Hollywood history. Now that’s something worth celebrating!
A Star-Studded 100th Birthday Celebration
For this once-in-a-century celebration, El Portal Theatre welcomes back some of the celebrated performers who have graced its Debbie Reynolds Mainstage and Monroe Forum for an evening of music, comedy, special performances, tributes and surprises.
Hosted by Fritz Coleman, the birthday spectacular is directed by Jason Graae, with musical direction by Michael Orland.
The all-star cast features Frank Ferrante, Jason Graae, Heather Lee, Beth Malone, Lesli Margherita, Gabriel Navarra, Faith Prince, Jenna Lea Rosen and Natalie Wachen.
The evening will also feature special appearances by Aunt Chippie, Ed Begley Jr., Fritz Coleman, Ruta Lee and Jo Anne Worley, with more surprises in store.
The extraordinary lineup represents an impressive collection of stage and screen honors, including Tony, Olivier, Emmy and Golden Globe recognition.
And Broadway fans have an especially rare treat in store: the celebration brings together three of Broadway’s original Tessie Turas – Faith Prince (Jerome Robbins’ Broadway), Heather Lee (Gypsy with Bernadette Peters) and Lesli Margherita (Gypsy with Audra McDonald) – along with Natalie Wachen, who served as Tessie Tura standby in Gypsy with Audra McDonald.
The celebration promises nostalgia, laughter and unforgettable performances honoring a century of entertainment in North Hollywood.
A Century of Entertainment
Opened in 1926 as a lavish Spanish Renaissance Revival vaudeville house designed by architect Lewis Arthur Smith, El Portal Theatre has evolved alongside American entertainment itself. Over the past century, the venue has welcomed audiences for live vaudeville, silent films, early talkies, Golden Age cinema and generations of live theatrical performance.
Through every era, El Portal has remained a creative heartbeat of North Hollywood and a home for artists, audiences and the performing arts.
On behalf of owners Gary and Shari Goodgame and Bernard and Judy Kauffman, El Portal Executive Director Pegge Forrest, Managing Director Ann Potenza, and former General Manager Jay Irwin will proudly join Councilman Adrin Nazarian to accept a special certificate recognizing its designation as Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monument No. 573.
The celebration will culminate with a special ribbon-cutting ceremony, marking this exciting new chapter in the storied history of one of Los Angeles’ treasured cultural landmarks, and honoring the theatre’s enduring legacy on the Los Angeles stage.
In celebration of two extraordinary women whose brilliance, grace, and enduring spirit have left an indelible mark on Hollywood – Debbie Reynolds and President Emerita Ruta Lee – a portion of the proceeds from this special evening will proudly benefit The Thalians, continuing their remarkable legacy of compassion, philanthropy, and service.
One theatre. One night. One hundred years of memories.
Want to discover more about this North Hollywood landmark? Read our Things You Probably Didn’t Know About El Portal Theatre feature for a look at its fascinating history.
Celebrating 100 Years! Tickets and Show Details
When:
Saturday, November 28 at 7:00pm
Debbie Reynolds Mainstage
Tickets:
$50 – $125
818-508-4200
Or order online:
www.elportaltheatre.com
Where:
El Portal Theatre
5269 Lankershim Blvd., NoHo Arts District, CA 91601