Orinda, CA – The historic Orinda Theatre is closed “until further notice”, according to a message sent to its mailing list and posted on the theatre’s website.
The closure is due to “a major plumbing issue.” The theater, a beloved fixture in the community, has not announced when it will be able to reopen.
Local Tommy O told us “The very old and likely original water main which is routed under the sidewalk and terrazzo and lobby failed and began to flood the storage area under the building. Plumbers needed to be creative to get a new water supply into the building. Luckily the old toy store space is vacant and they could run it from the street through there and into the theater. While it sounds easy, there are many twists and turns and walls to be cut open etc to make it happen. It’s a lovely space and real community center that we need to keep alive. There is simply nothing like watching a movie in the grand auditorium. More people need to support this theater. Follow the Orinda theaters Facebook page or get on their mailing list to stay current on when they may open.”
Update 1/31 noon: The Orinda Theater has released a statement: “The ABSOLUTE plumbing team has been doing a stellar job installing new pipes here at the Orinda. We are hoping to start showing movies next week. Our amazing staff has been doing a lot of work on the restroom tile, concession tile, carpets, and heavy cleaning.”
Despite the closure, the theater staff will use the downtime for maintenance projects, including deep cleaning, seat repairs, touch-up painting, and carpet steam cleaning. But that poses a big problem for the historic theatre–it won’t be bringing in any money during that time.
With no revenue coming in during the closure, the theater is urging the community to support upcoming events, particularly Love Letters on February 15. Starring Joyce DeWitt (Three’s Company) and Parker Stevenson (Hardy Boys, Baywatch), the live performance serves as an annual fundraiser and will help support staff during this period.
“LOVE LETTERS has become an annual fundraiser for the theatre and this year it will help continue to pay our staff,” the theatre said in an email. More fundraising events will be announced soon.
While the theater is closed, the Bamboo Lounge, its adjoining tiki bar, will remain open.
We all need to help the Orinda Theatre stay afloat while they recover from this major setback.
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