California Theatre (Pittsburg, California)

Designed by architect Albert W. Cornelius, the California Theatre was built by G.E. Seeno and Columbo at a cost of $200,000. The theatre opened on May 4, 1920, as a venue for live vaudeville performances and silent films. It was owned and operated by local theatre moguls Sylvester and Salvatore Enea. Adults paid $0.25 for entry, while admission for children cost $0.15.{{Cite web |title=About Us |url=http://www.pittsburgcaliforniatheatre.com/about/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150913114847/http://www.pittsburgcaliforniatheatre.com/about/ |archive-date=September 13, 2015 |access-date=February 5, 2024 |website=Pittsburg California Theatre}}{{Cite web |title=California Theatre Historical Marker |url=https://www.hmdb.org/m.asp?m=146532 |access-date=2024-01-01 |website=www.hmdb.org |language=en}}

During its heyday, notable performers included Flash Gordon and cowboy heroes Ray "Crash" Corrigan, Tim Holt, Tex Ritter and Fred Scott. The theatre would often host national touring acts the evening before their opening night in San Francisco.{{Cite web |last=Pittsburg Historical Society |first=City of Pittsburg |date=2023-03-27 |title=Old Town Path of History |url=https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/432e3c43819a4a17bb5c3af540d2c42c |access-date=2024-01-01 |website=ArcGIS StoryMaps |language=}}

The theatre featured a Leatherby-Smith pipe organ that was originally installed in 1924, and played during silent films and between shows.{{Cite web |last=Marion |first=Douglas |date=1960 |title=The Smith Unit Organs |url=https://journals.shareok.org/theatreorgan/article/download/485/465 |access-date=2024-02-05}} It was later replaced in November 1928 with Robert Morton style 23N organ, which remained on-site until 1948.{{Cite journal |date=1963 |title=Theatre Organ |url=https://journals.shareok.org/theatreorgan/issue/download/20/Theatre%20Organ%2C%20Spring%201963%2C%20Volume%205%2C%20Number%201 |journal=Journal of the American Association of Theatre Organ Enthusiasts |volume=5 |issue=1}}{{Cite web |date=2017-10-16 |title=Pittsburg theater's restored pipe organ to accompany silent film |url=https://www.eastbaytimes.com/2017/10/16/pittsburg-theaters-restored-pipe-organ-to-accompany-silent-film/ |access-date=2024-02-05 |website=East Bay Times |language=}}

The theatre showed its last film in February 1954 before closing.

The City of Pittsburg bought the theatre in 1971.{{Cite news |last=Hoge |first=Patrick |date=2006-04-23 |title=BIG-SCREEN REVIVAL / Cities around the Bay Area invest in vintage Art Deco theaters in hopes of touching off cultural, even economic, renaissance |url=https://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/BIG-SCREEN-REVIVAL-Cities-around-the-Bay-Area-2519910.php |access-date=2024-02-05 |work=SFGate |language=}} Over the years, the building fell into disrepair through years of neglect and sustained heavy water damage.{{Cite web |last=Mitchell |first=Eve |date=2012-06-15 |title=A restored California Theatre to open in the fall |url=https://www.mercurynews.com/2012/06/15/a-restored-california-theatre-to-open-in-the-fall/ |access-date=2024-02-05 |website=The Mercury News |language=}}{{Cite web |date=2016 |title=2016 Governor's Historic Preservation Awards: California Theatre |url=https://ohp.parks.ca.gov/pages/1054/files/2016_GovHPAwds_CaliforniaTheatre.pdf |access-date=2024-02-05 |website=California State Office of Historic Preservation}} The ceiling subsequently collapsed into the abandoned auditorium. The original marquee was removed in 1975.{{Cite web |last= |date=2013-09-18 |title=Since Reopening, The California Theatre in Pittsburg Going Strong |url=https://eastcountytoday.net/since-reopening-the-california-theatre-in-pittsburg-going-strong/ |access-date=2024-02-05 |website=East County Today |language=}}

In 1994, the City began a major clean up and stabilisation of the deteriorating theater.

In 2008, a $7.6 million renovation was undertaken. Restoration artist Beate Bruhl restored the artwork throughout the theatre. Fixtures were fabricated to match historical photographs of the original building.{{Cite web |last=Gottesman |first=Kyra |date=2021-09-21 |title=Artist continues State Theatre restoration |url=https://www.chicoer.com/2021/09/21/artist-continues-state-theatre-restoration/ |access-date=2024-02-05 |website=Chico Enterprise-Record |language=}} A replica of the 1920 marquee was installed in 2010. The theatre reopened on January 19, 2013.

In January 2019, after an absence of 70 years, the 1928 Robert Morton organ was restored.

An additional $2 million restoration of the balcony area was completed in 2022.

Today, the auditorium features a 981 seat capacity. It hosts theatre productions, concerts, comedy shows, films, dance performances, community events, and is rented for private events.

The theatre was designed in classic revival style, featuring Corinthian columns, sculpted urns and figurative sculptures. It is claimed that the design of the theatre was inspired by the Palais Garnier, albeit on a much smaller, less grand and ornate scale.{{Cite web |date=2022-05-05 |title=2113 Kittredge Street – California Theater: Landmark application |url=https://berkeleyca.gov/sites/default/files/2022-04/2022-05-05_LPC%20Item%205%20with%20attachments_2113%20Kittredge.pdf |access-date=2024-02-05 |website=City of Berkeley}} The theatre was later modernised to incorporate many of the Art Deco features present today. The auditorium features a large art-deco chandelier with a beaux-artes style ceiling decoration and a grand balcony.

In July 2023, the City of Pittsburg approved a new three-year agreement for the operation of the theatre. The theatre is currently operated by Anthony Lane-Cotroneo of Entertainment Lane Inc.{{Cite web |date=2023-07-19 |title=Historic East Bay theater gets new operator |url=https://www.mercurynews.com/2023/07/19/salinas-group-will-manage-operate-historic-east-bay-theater/ |access-date=2024-02-05 |website=The Mercury News |language=}}{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2023-07-19 |title=Pittsburg Selects New Operator of the California Theatre |url=https://contracosta.news/2023/07/19/pittsburg-selects-new-operator-of-the-california-theatre/ |access-date=2024-02-05 |website=Contra Costa News |language=}}

Recent performances have featured Tony Danza, Pete Escovedo, Pasquale Esposito, Taye Diggs, Christopher Titus, John Witherspoon, George Lopez and Sinbad.{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2024-01-20 |title=On Tap: Tony Danza's 'Standards and Stories' show coming to Pittsburg |url=https://www.eastbaytimes.com/2024/01/20/on-tap-tony-danzas-standards-and-stories-show-coming-to-pittsburg/ |access-date=2024-02-05 |website=East Bay Times |language=}}{{Cite web |last=Mitchell |first=Eve |date=2016-12-11 |title=Pittsburg: Pete Escovedo returns home for New Year's show |url=https://www.eastbaytimes.com/2016/12/11/pete-escovedo-returns-home-for-new-years-show/ |access-date=2024-02-05 |website=East Bay Times |language=}}{{Cite web |date=2017-12-03 |title=On Tap: Taye Diggs, Chris Titus coming to Pittsburg |url=https://www.eastbaytimes.com/2017/12/03/on-tap-taye-diggs-chris-titus-coming-to-pittsburg/ |access-date=2024-02-05 |website=East Bay Times |language=}}{{Cite web |date=2021-08-04 |title=State Support for Historic Theatre Renovation Project |url=https://www.pittsburgca.gov/Home/Components/News/News/2876/24?arch=1&npage=6 |access-date=2024-02-05 |website=City of Pittsburg |language=}}

In 2012, the Pittsburg Theatre Company was designated as the resident theatre company of the California Theatre.{{Cite web |date=2018-07-01 |title=About Us |url=https://pittsburgcommunitytheatre.org/about-us/ |access-date=2024-02-04 |website=Pittsburg Theatre Company |language=}}

Now in its 44th season, the Pittsburg Theatre Company continues its annual performances at the California Theatre. Productions have included Steel Magnolias, Fiddler on the Roof, The Addams Family and It Shoulda Been You.{{Cite web |date=2018-07-01 |title=Past Seasons |url=https://pittsburgcommunitytheatre.org/past-shows/ |access-date=2024-02-04 |website=Pittsburg Theatre Company |language=}}

File:California Theatre - panoramio.jpg

File:California Theatre - panoramio (1).jpg

• List of theatres in California
• Pittsburg, California

{{reflist}}

• [https://pittsburgcaliforniatheatre.com/ California Theatre Official Website]
• [https://www.facebook.com/pittsburgcaliforniatheatre/ California Theatre] on Facebook
• [https://www.hmdb.org/m.asp?m=146532 California Theatre Plaque]
• [https://pittsburgcommunitytheatre.org/ Pittsburg Theatre Company Official Website]
• [https://www.youtube.com/@pittsburgtheatrecompanyfor6308 Pittsburg Theatre Company] on YouTube

Category:Theatres in California

Category:Buildings and structures completed in 1920

Category:Buildings and structures in Contra Costa County, California

Category:1920s architecture in the United States

Category:1920 establishments in California

Category:Event venues established in 1920