The Matrix was opened in 1977 by producer
Joseph Stern. After growing up in Los Angeles mere blocks from the Matrix, Stern later became a New York actor and a Hollywood television producer known for such series as
Law & Order,
Judging Amy and
Cagney & Lacey. Stern bought the Matrix with actor
William Devane to keep it from being demolished and during a time when Los Angeles had few 99-seat theaters. To buy his half of the Matrix Stern had his father lend him the money in the 1970s and later borrowed from his father again in the 1980s to buy Devane's half of the theatre. Stern was quoted as saying the Matrix had previously been "a psychiatric institution and
Spike Jones’ soundstage.” The Matrix's debut play in 1980 was
A Life in the Theatre by
David Mamet. ==Later productions==