Avenida Theatre, Buenos Aires

The Avenida Theatre located on Buenos Aires' central Avenida de Mayo, had its grand opening in 1908 with a captivating production of "Justice Without Revenge," written by the renowned Spanish dramatist Lope de Vega. This momentous occasion was masterfully directed by María Guerrero, a prominent figure in Argentine theater, who had a significant influence on popularizing classical drama in the country during the late 19th century. In 1921, Guerrero went on to establish the esteemed Cervantes Theatre, further enriching the theatrical landscape in Argentina.

For years, the Avenida Theatre was the main Spanish theater in Buenos Aires. In 1933, it changed focus due to the Cervantes Theatre's transformation. Federico García Lorca's play "Bodas de Sangre" was staged there that year. The theater gained fame for varied shows like operettas, zarzuelas, and events like the 1939 charity production of "Aida" to help post-Civil War Spanish charities.

Over time, Spanish theater waned at the Avenida, leading to a switch to hosting Broadway shows. In 1967, "La Traviata" amazed audiences. Faustino García acquired the Avenida in the '60s, reviving Moreno Torroba's presence in 1970 and bringing back the beloved zarzuela.

The onset of Argentina's last military dictatorship in 1976 dealt a severe blow to the local theater scene, resulting in the Avenida Theatre's closure in 1977. Tragically, in 1979, a destructive fire nearly reduced the theater to ashes. Despite these challenges, the Avenida Theatre triumphantly reopened on 19 June 1994. However, the top section of the original building, which once housed the esteemed Hotel Castilla, remained unrestored.