Re-vitalizing Sonoma’s Community Performing Arts and Film Center
The iconic Sebastiani Theatre has been a community gem in the Sonoma Plaza, a historic landmark filled with charm and character since it opened its doors in 1934. The Theatre serves as a link to the town’s culturally rich past with its vintage marquee and intimate, Italin Renaissance interior for residents and visitors. For decades, the Theatre has served as a gathering place for audiences of all ages and has touched the lives of many people in our town.
While unrivaled in its time, the passing decades have taken their toll on this community treasure. The renovation and expansion of The Sebastiani Theatre will bring it up to today’s building code (including fire sprinklers and other modern safety features), meet full Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliance, including all new seating, and address deferred maitenance which has accrued over the years. In addition, The Sebastiani Theatre has faced growing competition from streaming platforms with movie studios offering first run films in the home at the same time as being screened in theatres. People, out of necessity, during the Covid-19 pandemic streamed films in their homes because it was the only alternative programming available during that time, and the trend appears to continue.
Sadly, many of America’s historic downtown single-screen theaters have been forced to close. One reason is that studios require theaters to show their films every day the theatre is open. This structure results in single-screen theater operators having to decide whether to play a film that prevents other performances during the showing period, or simply not contracting popular “first-run” films to maintain programming flexibility.
Having witnessed declining attendance, increasing competition, and the mounting costs of needed improvements to the Theatre facility, the Theatre realized that to survive and thrive, a larger percentage of live performances would be necessary.
The Vision of The Sebastiani Theatre Renovation and Expansion
The Vision of The Sebastiani Theatre Renovation and Expansion is to transform the Theatre into a vibrant state of the art performing arts and film center for generations to come while sustaining the needs of our community partners and other non-profit organizations.
Why Now?
Live performances attract larger audiences and create a more viable operational revenue model for the theatre. Many of our needs are reflected in our plan to bring a broader variety of programming to the Sonoma Community and beyond by offering stellar, star-powerlive performances and film in the main auditorium and second screening room.
Through a series of strategic actions, the non-profit Foundation, which now operates The Sebastiani Theatre, has created the blueprint for change and set the groundwork for a campaign to fund these vital improvements and needed expansion, positioning The Sebastiani Theatre for a spectacular re-birth.
A Fixture In Sonoma Life
In 1932, wine- legend Samuele Sebastiani retained the well-known San Francisco architect, James W. Reid, to design a theater reflecting the “new era of progress” in Sonoma Valley. Reid also designed the Hotel Del Coronado in San Diego. His concept a gorgeous example of Italian Renaissance architecture was complemented by lavish interior features. Mr. Sebastiani decreed that “nothing but the best” would be used to furnish, decorate, and outfit the most glamorous theater in Sonoma County.
“Going to the movies” bbecame a principal diversion for many during those Depression years. In 1934, the Theatre opened with a showing of “Fugitive Lover” starring Robert Montgomery and Madge Evans. The ticket price was just thirty cents!
Over the years, the Theatre has featured a wide range of films. the Theatre has featured a wide range of films. And has been the main venue for the Sonoma International Film Festival for over 25 years. All year long, the Theatre screens films of every genre including first run, repertory and classic films.
The Sebastiani Theatre also plays a vital role in youth programming, including the Sonoma Conservatory Of Dance, Performing Arts Camps, The Mentoring Alliance, Backyard Kids’ Theater, the “Witchie Poo Halloween Extravaganza and other events organized by local schools. These programs facilitate the developement of
