Orinda Theatre
2 Orinda Theater Square,
Orinda,
CA
94563
2 Orinda Theater Square,
Orinda,
CA
94563
13 people
favorited this theater
The Orinda Theatre opened on December 17, 1941 and was built by Donald Rheem.
Slated for demolition in 1984, it was saved through the efforts of preservationists and reopened in 1989 as the center of the Theater Square Project — a retail/entertainment redevelopment project.
Two extra screens have been constructed within adjoining retail space, leaving the original screen intact.
Contributed by
Jeremy Sanford
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Recent comments (view all 35 comments)
The operation of the Orinda Theatre was taken over from Renaissance Rialto on May 8, 2009 by the group currently operating the neighboring Rheem Theatre in Moraga, CA. The new operators let about 80% of the staff go and also locked out the Union Projectionists.
For years RR said they couldn’t pop fresh popcorn at the theatre, and the new operators had a popcorn popper in place within 2 weeks of taking over. RR raised the General Admission ticket price to $10 while their largest and most lovely auditorium still lacks cupholders on the seats to this day. On the flip side, the new operators are just booking the same commerical first run films they have at the Rheem right up the road. I don’t understand why they are doubling up the same films right down the street from eachother, there aren’t that many people there. Its feeling like an election, you know the old guy sucked, but the new guy also sucks, just in different ways. Best of luck to the theatre, the real victim in all of this.
1980 Photo
1984 Photo
1986 Photo
1986 Photo
Hi Folks:
My understanding is that the hot greasy steam from a popcorn machine could potentialy damage the ceiling murial in the lobby. This is what I was told and it seems to make sense.
This was an EXCELLENT theatre under Renaissance Rialto / Alan Michaan. It’s hard for me to believe anyone would think otherwise.
Mike
It is now the only theater left after the Rheem in nearby Moraga closes for good after tonight’s performances. My concern is will this theater be next??
2009 night photo of the Orinda Theatre.
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More 2010 photos of the Orinda Theatre.
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Seating capacity, per posted sign at box office:
1 – 750
2 – 178
3 – 47
Total seats: 975
I’ve posted information and photos from a recent visit here.
The address should be 2 Orinda Theater Square.
A 2010 photo can be seen here.