During the mid to late 1950s a huge musical production, "The California Story", was put on in Balboa Stadium as part of the Fiesta del Pacifico celebration. The extravaganza featured a cast of 1,300 people, including a symphony orchestra and a 150-voice choir. Performances were directed by Meredith Willson, who also contributed music and lyrics. The production followed the history of California from the arrival of Juan Rodríguez Cabrillo in 1540 through the early 20th century. It was billed as "the biggest non-movie spectacle ever produced anywhere."