#Sonomawood

[jonfarreporter]

Sebastiani Theatre, the last of its kind

This week kicks off the 22nd annual Sonoma International Film Festival, which locals refer to as “Sonomawood.” The Sebastiani Theatre is a center-piece to the festival.

Members of the Sonoma League for Historic Preservation gathered at the Sebastiani Theatre on March 12 for a special 'insiders tour' of the historic movie temple.

Theater manager Roger Rhoten spoke to those gathered before providing the tour. He pointed out that the Sebastiani Theatre is now in its eighties and at that age it is doing alright. It has a good sound system and currently has the ability to show 35 mm, 9 mm and digital formatted films. But for the near future and beyond, the Sebastiani Theatre will need help.

"There is so much that needs to done to help preserve and upgrade this gem of a movie theater," he said. For one thing, as those gathered agreed, there are the seats. Comfortable seating is a must. "We want to keep the historical integrity of this theatre, said Rohten, so they will be as close to the original seating as possible."

Some in the crowd that Tuesday night asked if the seats in the future might have cup holders. "Well, okay, said Rhoten as the audience began to chuckle, but I will insist they be made of real wood, and not plastic."

He also wanted to impress upon them that the Sebastiani is among the last of its kind. "There are few if no more single-full screen movie theaters like this left," said Rhoten. "What we have here is unique in so many ways!"

Samuele Sebastiani the founder and first patriarch of Sebastiani Vineyards and Winery spared no expense to build his town a movie theatre. "And, that wasn't easy, added Rhoten, because it was in the midst of The Great Depression."

Using quality materials like rich oak wood for the doors and paneling and finely quarried marble the theatre was designed by well-known theater architect James W. Reid.

Rhoten mentioned that "the very first movie shown here, screened on April 7, 1934, and was called  "Fugitive Lovers" starring Robert Montgomery. Admission price was 30¢."

"All the great movies were shown here upon initial release, ones we all know like, "Gone With The Wind," "Ben Hur," etc.

But as time passed and movie trends and tastes changed, the Sebastiani Theatre barely survived some lackluster years.

"I remember when there were bats up in the rafters, the seats were dilapidated and the air was musty," said Sonoma resident Kathy Ostram. That definitely was more than 30 years ago.

Even when the theatre was at its lowest point, it has always been a landmark, functioning as a movie theater.

Yet, Rhoten pointed out even with some of the most famous of movies, the longest running movie to show at The Sebastiani Theatre ever in all its history so far, was "My Big Fat Greek Wedding."

Since becoming managers of Sebastiani Theatre in 1991, Rhoten and his wife Diana have shown mostly independent and film festival type films over first-run big budget movies.

Rhoten explained the Sebastiani Theater's current dilemma."The film distribution system favors the owners of multi-screen theaters. They can show more films and have the flexibility to move lesser grossing films to smaller screening rooms. Single screen movie theaters like the Sebastiani, he said have to agree to show first-run films for a longer run than is profitable.”

One vision that Rhoten has for the future is to build a screening room upstairs to accommodate the contract obligations of first-run films. He also noted that with current ADA regulations, there is much work to be done to bring the theatre up to code and make it more accessible in all aspects to everyone. 

He also explained that since 1986 the Sebastiani Theatre was sold to an Oakland-based investor. The Sonoma City Council leases the Theatre from the investor and splits the cost with the Rhoten family.

With the increasing popularity of the annual Sonoma International Film Festival, Rhoten would like to see more events held at The Sebastiani Theatre. Live concerts, plays and special events, he hopes the Sebastiani Theatre of the near future will be a mecca for as well as a rallying place for the community at large.

In 2008 the nonprofit Sebastiani Theatre Foundation was formed to raise money to contribute to the Theatre's operating expenses and improvements to the facility. As a result the Theatre now has a state-of-the-art digital projector and sound system.

This year the for-profit Theatre and the nonprofit Foundation will merge and the Sebastiani Theatre will become a 501(c)3 charitable institution.  

Rhoten is hoping that groups like The Sonoma League for Historic Preservation and many others will help in the endeavor.

Since it is the League's mission to protect and share Sonoma's unique cultural heritage, it’s only natural that a historic building like the Sebastiani Theatre would be saved for the enjoyment and benefit of the Sonoma Valley community. And, that includes visitors from around the world, especially at film festival time.

The League’s executive director Chuck Bingaman noted later that it was an evening well-spent and enjoyed by all.

Rhoten hopes the entire community of Sonoma will help raise the needed funds and said that while over the next two years, plans are being finalized, he is eager to hear more ideas. To learn more about The Sebastiani Theatre visit its web site. 

Article and photos by Jonathan Farrell, contributor to The Sonoma Valley Sun

[robertredfield2]

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At festivals and conferences, it’s useful and FUN to show the staff building stuff behind the scenes. Here, the students of @sonomafilmfest put their backs and laughs into barnraising the iconic #Sonomawood sign for the festival earlier in the year. . @sonomavalleyhigh #sonomavalleyhighschool #thankgodforvolunteers #longliveindependentfilms #robertredfield #redfieldpictures #siff2018 #filmfestival #thepushfilm #foodporn #sonoma #timelapse (at Sonoma, California)

[wearenotmeaningless-x]

Sonoma. ☀️ #vacation #boyfriend #california #sonoma #sonomawood #winery #jail #traintown #buenavistawinery #cute #iloveyou #happy #allsmiles #roadtrip2014 #filmfestival #iadoreyou #giantboyfriend #mine #imtiny

[bccampbell]

#sonomawood Day 3. There's been a lot of this! Lots of talented teams here.

[markvogler]

#breakingnews #Sonomawood sign on the #Sonoma plaza vandalized by pink pirates! #siff14 (at Sonoma Plaza)

[winecountrylimos]

We're so excited for the 17th annual @sonomafilmfest! #Sonomawood

[wheresanfrancisco-blog]

#KaleSmoothies are fantastic in #Sonoma! #SonomaWood #siff13 (at Sunflower Caffé & Garden)

[vaultrealty]

#SonomaWood amazing #FilmFest! #SIFF13 @Sonomafilmfest.., Bay Area has cool events! (at Town Square)

[bccampbell]

#sonomawood day 2. Lots of great folks here.

[winecountrylimos]

Hello #Sonomawood! #Sonoma #Wine #Vino #Films (at Sonoma City Hall)

[wheresanfrancisco-blog]

#Epilogue #RedWine #Sonoma #SonomaWood #SIFF13 #Vino @SonomaFilmFest (at Sebastiani Theater)

[wheresanfrancisco-blog]

With some #Vino, of course! #SIFF13 #SonomaWood #Wine @SonomaFilmFest (at Sebastiani Theater)

[wheresanfrancisco-blog]

Getting ready for another screening at #SIFF13 #SonomaWood #Sonoma #film (at Sebastiani Theater)

[wheresanfrancisco-blog]

#RayLiotta and #director #ArielVromen at the screening if #TheIceman @sonomafilmfest #Sonoma #sonomawood (at Sebastiani Theater)

[wheresanfrancisco-blog]

The #Sebastiani #Theatre in #Sonoma #SonomaWood @Sonomafilmfest (at Sebastiani Theater)

[winecountrylimos]

Are you at the @sonomafilmfest? We can drive you around in style! #SonomaWood #Sonoma #Film (at Murphy's Irish Pub)