Rialto to Pay Tribute to Dorothy Mavrich Before Friday Night Show

Dorothy Mavrich led a grassroots effort to save the Rialto Square Theatre in the 1970s. Credit: Submitted photo

The Rialto Square Theatre will honor the life of Dorothy Mavrich by dedicating the Friday night performance of the Broadway at the Rialto presentation of “Jekyll & Hyde” in her memory, theater officials said Thursday.

Mavrich died Tuesday at age 94.

Prior to the 8 p.m. curtain, General Manager Randall Green will address the audience and indicate the evening’s performance will be dedicated to the lady who is credited with saving the Rialto from demolition and enabling the theatre to have a new lease on life.

Mavrich oversaw the restoration of the Rialto in the late ’70s early ’80’s and directed its management group while the theatre re-emerged as a performing arts center which continues to serve the community today, officials said.

• Woman Who Fought to Save Rialto Dies at 94

In the tradition of Broadway when it loses one of its stars or significant members of its theatrical community, Rialto staff will dim the theater’s lights and darken its marquee and iconic Rialto vertical sign at 8 p.m., just prior to the start of the performance.

“There could not be a more fitting way to salute and honor Dorothy,” Green said.