Peek inside Castro Theatre shows why it's a city jewel
The object of love and much adoration and — lately — plenty of controversy, the Castro Theatre is the crown jewel of the Castro neighborhood.Despite its grand Spanish Churrigueresque exterior, a popular style in California when the theater was built in 1922, and its even more grand interior, the beloved old movie palace is in worse condition than many may realize.
It's not going anywhere, mind you, but once the theater's new managers, Another Planet Entertainment, finish their contractual obligations for various events this year, including Frameline46, San Francisco's International LGBTQ film festival running through Sunday, and concerts by the San Francisco Gay Men's Chorus, the theater will be undergoing extensive renovations.
In some cases, desperately needed changes.The Bay Area Reporter recently had the opportunity to tour the historic cinema, going backstage and into many of the building's nooks and crannies.
There are many of them. Taking a small group backstage, David Perry — spokesperson for Another Planet Entertainment — led visitors through a warren of narrow stairwells and tight hallways that, really, don't go very far.
