Circle Star Theater facts for kids

The Circle Star Theatre was a famous place for shows in San Carlos, California. It was special because it was a "theater in the round." This meant the stage was a big circle in the middle, and the audience sat all around it. No seat was far from the stage, making every show feel close and personal. The stage could even spin around! This unique design allowed it to turn in any direction without stopping.

A Unique Stage for Amazing Shows

The Circle Star Theatre was known for its special stage. It was a theater in the round, meaning the stage was circular and in the center of the room. The audience sat all around it. There were 3,743 seats, and no seat was more than 50 feet (about 15 meters) from the stage. This made every show feel very close and exciting.

What made this stage extra special was that it could spin in any direction without stopping. This was possible because of a clever system that sent electricity and sound to and from the stage as it turned.

The Theatre's Story

The Circle Star Theatre first opened in the early 1960s. Back then, it was a dinner theater. This meant people could eat a meal while watching a show. It hosted many popular Broadway plays that traveled around the country, like The Odd Couple. Famous actors such as Ernest Borgnine and Don Rickles performed there.

In 1971, a company called Marquee Entertainment bought the theatre. They started bringing in big stars, much like the famous shows in Las Vegas. Many legendary performers came to the Circle Star Theatre, including Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis, Jr., Dean Martin, and Liberace. In the mid-1970s, the theatre also started booking popular Motown groups. This helped keep the theatre busy and brought in many different kinds of audiences.

What Happened to the Theatre?

Over time, the Circle Star Theatre changed owners a few times. Eventually, it was sold to a local car dealer. This new owner did not have the same connections with top entertainers. Because of this, the theatre closed its doors in December 1993.

A few years later, on April 18, 1997, a fire broke out at the building. It damaged a lot of the backstage area. Even before the fire, there were already plans to tear down the theatre. The building was eventually taken down to make space for new buildings. Today, where the Circle Star Theatre once stood, there is a complex with office buildings and a hotel.

Famous Performers Who Played There

Many amazing musicians, actors, and comedians performed at the Circle Star Theatre over the years. Here are just some of the stars who graced its unique stage: