|
|
|
|
Submit
|
Custom Search
CivicLifeSportsSchoolsBusinessFoodOur HomesLetters/OpinionsCalendar

Published November 24th, 2021
Orinda city council kicks off celebration of Orinda Theatre's 80th anniversary
Orinda Theatre, lighted Photo Derek Zemrak

The Orinda City Council on Nov. 16 recognized the 80th anniversary of the opening of the Orinda Theatre on Dec. 27, 1941, with a proclamation. Current theatre owner Derek Zemrak has announced that the theatre will host its own celebration of the anniversary on Dec. 27 with a showing of "Cinema Paradiso," free to all contributors to the theatre's GoFundMe effort, without which, Zemrak says, the theatre could not have survived the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Orinda Theatre was built by Donald Rheem and opened with the film "Texas," staring William Holden. The theatre boasted its iconic neon sign, which Rheem called a "blazing informal Neon gateway" to Orinda. The theatre is decorated with murals by the famed artist Anthony Heinsberger.
Slated for demolition in 1984, the theatre was saved by the efforts of the Friends of the Orinda Theatre. This followed nine years of community advocacy and a legal battle that went all the way to the California Supreme Court. As part of that battle, the Friends applied to the State Historical Resources Commission, and, as a result, the building was listed in the State Historical Registry and later in the National Historic Registry, based on, according to the proclamation, "the streamline modern style of architecture, the mural interior and the bank building's exterior stainless columns and Arizona sandstone rock siding," as well as Rheem's "Crossroads Core of the City concept."
The theatre is now an anchor of the Theatre Square shopping center, featuring retail stores, businesses, and restaurants. The downtown area on the south side of the BART station is alternately knows as the Theatre District or Orinda Crossroads.
The council's proclamation expresses "deep appreciation to the individuals and organizations whose dedicated efforts preserved and supported this magnificent community treasure for decades."
Zemrak says that further plans for the celebration on the 27th are underway. During the pandemic, Zemrak took the opportunity to restore many of the theatre's iconic features. See story: www.lamorindaweekly.com/archive/issue1505/Extensively-renovated-Orinda-Theatre-reopens-April-30.html
Contributions to the Orinda Theatre can be made on their GoFundMe page, www.gofundme.com/f/orinda-theatre-needs-your-help


print story

Before you print this article, please remember that it will remain in our archive for you to visit anytime.
download pdf
(use the pdf document for best printing results!)
Comments
Send your comment to:
Reach the reporter at:

This article was published on Page A6:



Quick Links for LamorindaWeekly.com
Home
Archive
Advertise
send artwork to:
ads@lamorindaweekly.com
Classified ads
Lamorinda Service Directory
About us and How to Contact us
Submit
Letter to the Editor
Send stories or ideas to:
storydesk@lamorindaweekly.com
Send sports stories and photos to:
sportsdesk@lamorindaweekly.com
Subscribe to receive a delivered or mailed copy
Subscribe to receive storylinks by email
Content
Civic
Lafayette
Moraga
Orinda
MOFD
Life
Sports
Schools
Business
Food
Our Homes
Letters/Opinions
Calendar
Copyright Lamorinda Weekly, Moraga CA