Countdown to 2000: 1980s Culture

Amy Spurgeon

Tanning beds, fitness training, Ronald and Nancy Reagan, AIDS and

microwave ovens all played a part in defining the 1980s in Newport-Mesa

and the nation.

Women began to play a bigger role in the workplace and, as a result,

their hair and wardrobe changed dramatically. Women were wearing shorter

hair and exercised the option of wearing pantsuits instead of dresses.

Cotton fabrics replaced polyester and tennis shoes replaced the penny

loafer.It was a decade defined by Rubbermaid, divorce, the Soviets and

answering machines. It was a time when Robinsons, Bullocks and The

Broadway were the area’s leading department stores.

The 1980s would see the opening of the Newport Theater Arts Center as

well as the Orange County Performing Arts Center. The first musical at

The Center was an Opera Pacific production of “West Side Story.”

South Coast Repertory started a 20-year tradition with, “A Christmas

Carol,” in 1980. The production continues to entertain audiences to this

day.

In 1984, the Costa Mesa Civic Playhouse left the Orange County

Fairgrounds and moved to its present location at 661 Hamilton St. The

last production at the fairgrounds was “Sugar” while “The Second Time

Around” was the first production at the Hamilton Street location. The

playhouse will celebrate its 35th anniversary next year.

“Footloose,” “Fatal Attraction,” “E.T.,” “Rocky III,” and “Tron” played

in local movie theaters.

“Family Ties,” “21 Jump Street,” “Robert Schuller,” and “Kate and Allie”

were regularly aired television programs.

Sources:

Daily Pilot; Tom Titus.