The venue integrates a building originally serving as a general store during the 19th-century railway era.
The theater's main hall is named the 'Rodeway Inn' stage in some administrative documents, though it is universally known as the Old Town Temecula Community Theater.
The attached venue, The Merc, is an intimate black-box space that occupies the original historical site's footprint.
The theater's construction was a central component of the Old Town Temecula revitalization project initiated in the early 2000s.
The Old Town Temecula Community Theater is a 354-seat proscenium venue located within the historic Old Town district of Temecula, California. Opened in 2005, the facility serves as a cultural hub for the Inland Empire, hosting a diverse range of touring musicians, theatrical productions, and dance recitals. The site incorporates the historic Mercantile Building, which was originally constructed in 1891. The theater features a specialized rigging system and state-of-the-art lighting and sound capabilities suitable for professional-grade performances. It functions as part of a larger complex that includes a separate 48-seat venue known as The Merc, which hosts smaller, acoustic, and intimate performances. The theater's management is overseen by the City of Temecula Community Services Department. It serves as a primary performance space for the Temecula Valley Symphony and various regional performing arts organizations.
The restored exterior facade of the historic Mercantile Building, which retains its late 19th-century aesthetic.
Arrive early to explore the adjacent Old Town streets, which are lined with antique shops and tasting rooms.
Check the performance schedule for The Merc if you prefer intimate, cabaret-style seating over the main proscenium stage.
Use the nearby public parking structures early, as street parking fills up quickly on performance nights.
Assuming tickets are available at the door on the night of popular shows, as performances frequently sell out.
Operates year-round; the box office is typically closed on Mondays and major holidays.
Business casual is recommended; late seating is typically restricted until intermission to prevent disturbing performers.
