La Rita Performing Arts Theatre

311 Denrock Avenue,
Dalhart, TX 79022

Unfavorite 1 person favorited this theater

Related Websites

La Rita Performing Arts Theatre (Official)

Additional Info

Architects: J. Roy Smith

Functions: Performing Arts

Styles: Spanish Colonial

Previous Names: La Rita Theatre, Dalhart Community Theatre

Phone Numbers: Box Office: 806.244.6222

Nearby Theaters

La Rita

This ornate little gem opened February 4, 1931. The facade is yellow brick with red brick patterns as well as a wealth of glazed terra-cotta ornamentation. A large retail window on the right side appears to have been filled in during restoration, but at least they tried to match the brick and patterns. The La Rita Theatre closed as a movie theatre in 1962.

It stood empty and unused until 1989 when it became the Dalhart Community Theatre. It is now a performing arts venue.

Contributed by Seth Gaines

Recent comments (view all 3 comments)

Seth
Seth on August 25, 2004 at 9:00 am

Charles, I’ve been listing as closed things that are no longer movie theaters. I don’t see much difference between retail and music shows as far as cinema goes. Of course one preserves the venue better, but neither shows any movies, which is what the site is about. I also am not sure about listing the performing arts places under their current names. After all, this was just the La Rita Theater, and we should list it as such. We don’t list the MacArthur Theater in DC as a CVS.

Joe Vogel
Joe Vogel on November 22, 2012 at 12:33 pm

Other Voices, Other Towns: The Traveler’s Story, by Caleb Pirtle III, says that the La Rita Theatre closed as a movie house in 1957 and remained dark for nearly a third of a century, finally being renovated for use by the Dalhart Community Theatre in 1989.

MichaelKilgore
MichaelKilgore on June 15, 2020 at 9:26 am

Motion Picture Exhibitor, Sept. 19, 1962: “Don Gilbert and his partner Ross Erlow have reported that they have closed the LaRita, Delhart, Tex., and the building has been sold.”

You must login before making a comment.

New Comment

Subscribe Want to be emailed when a new comment is posted about this theater?
Just login to your account and subscribe to this theater.