Victoria Theatre, San Francisco facts for kids
The Victoria Theatre is a cool old theater in San Francisco's Mission District. It has 480 seats and is a busy place! You can watch all sorts of shows here, like plays made by local artists, live music concerts, movie festivals, musicals, and performances from groups all over the world. It's located at 2961-16th Street in San Francisco, California. This theater is a special part of San Francisco's history.
Quick facts for kids Victoria TheatreBrown's Opera House El Teatro Victoria New Follies Burlesk |
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San Francisco Victoria Theatre showing Outfoxed (July 16, 2004)
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| Location | 2961-16th Street, San Francisco, California, U.S. |
| Built | 1908 |
| Designated | March 3, 1996 |
| Reference no. | 215 |
Contents
A Look Back: The Victoria Theatre's Story
The Victoria Theatre has a long and interesting past. It first opened in 1908. Back then, it was called Brown's Opera House. It showed "vaudeville" acts, which were live variety shows with singing, dancing, and comedy. It also showed early movies.
The theater was owned by the family of famous California politicians, Pat Brown and Jerry Brown. They were governors of California many years later.
Changing Names and Shows
In the 1940s and 1950s, the theater changed its name to El Teatro Victoria. During this time, it mainly showed movies in Spanish.
From 1963 to 1978, it was known as the New Follies Burlesk. It hosted different kinds of live entertainment.
Becoming the Victoria Theatre Again
After a big renovation, the theater reopened in March 1979. It was renamed the Victoria Theatre, which is what it's called today. It's actually the oldest theater in San Francisco that is still open and showing performances!
In 1984, the famous actress and comedian Whoopi Goldberg performed her one-woman show here. It was a very important show for her career. The Oakland Museum of California even keeps a poster from her show.
What's Happening Now at the Victoria?
The Victoria Theatre is a modern venue. It can show both video and 35mm films. It also has great sound with Dolby Pro Logic Surround Sound.
Movies and Festivals
The 2010 movie All About Evil was filmed inside and outside the Victoria Theatre. In 2014, the Victoria Theatre was one of the main places for the 38th Frameline San Francisco International LGBT Film Festival. It often shows new documentary films, like The Recess Ends.
Live Performances
The theater is also a popular spot for live plays and musicals. For example, Ray of Light Theatre has put on many shows here. Some of their past productions include Bat Boy: The Musical (2005), The Rocky Horror Show (2008), and The Who's Tommy (2009).
See also
