Exclusive: Castro Theatre open for bookings as $41 million renovation nears completion
Another Planet Entertainment spokesperson David Perry exclusively told the Chronicle that the Berkeley-based theater management company, which took over operations in 2022, is accepting bookings for events in March and beyond.
'While we're not announcing specific programming at this time, we are beginning to engage with longtime Castro Theatre clients, such as the Frameline LGBT International Film Festival, Oasis Arts and others, in addition to new groups for dates from March 2026 onward,' Perry said in a statement Monday, July 7.
Among the improvements already completed during the $41 million makeover is the restoration of the theater's decorative ceiling and chandelier. The raked floor of the auditorium has also been flattened for the installation of motorized removable seats and the house organ.
The changes were approved by the city after a contentious fight between Another Planet and a community-led opposition that argued that the existing orchestra seating configuration was essential to maintaining the theater's identity as a single-screen movie palace and a sacred gathering space for the city's LGBTQ community.
A second-floor space will be transformed into a bar and lounge area. Movable bars will be added on the ground level.
The project should be complete by the end of the year.
Among those enthusiastic about the reopening of the Castro is Frameline Executive Director Allegra Madsen, whose dream of having the festival's 50th edition at its longtime home base may soon be realized.
She told the Chronicle when Another Planet reached out to tell her the bookings would be accepted in time for the June festival that 'it was wonderful news.'
'I'm really excited for all the possibilities,' added Madsen, who recently presided over the 49th festival that ended June 28. 'We had a little tour inside and it's looking beautiful. It's really gonna be a magnificent palace when it's all done. … They've been good partners to us and we're excited to be back there.'
The Castro Theatre opened on June 22, 1922, as a 1,407-seat Spanish Baroque style movie palace designed by famed architect Timothy L. Pflueger and built by the Nasser family. When the theater screened Blake Edwards' 1982 musical comedy, 'Victor/Victoria!' on Feb. 4 2024, its last event before construction began, it had remained virtually unchanged.
The Nasser family still owns the theater under Bay Properties, Inc., but leased operations control to Another Planet Entertainment because it believes a reconfiguration and a diverse mix of events — such as concerts, the Outside Lands music festival producer's specialty — are essential to keep the building financially viable.
After the city cleared Another Planet to make the changes in 2023 after several contentious public hearings at City Hall, the company began what was then billed as a one-year, $15 million renovation.
Another Planet CEO Gregg Perloff told the Chronicle in May that the multiple meetings and hours of public input delayed progress, and that commitments made to the community increased costs.
Another expensive setback involved electrical upgrades, which caused further delay and required PG&E to begin extensive trench work on Sunday, July 6 — a process that is expected to continue through mid-August, Perry confirmed.
Meanwhile, a coffee shop and a nail salon owned by brothers Riyad and Ken Khoury, that are separate storefronts on either side of the theater but are also owned by the Nassers, have been served eviction notices. Another Planet officials say they need the spaces to expand the Castro Theatre's box office, plans that were included in the original lease.
Perloff told the Chronicle it was a 'landlord-tenant issue,' while the Khourys say both the Nasser family and Another Planet have made promises they have not kept.
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