A large crowd gathered outside the Lorenzo Theatre on Oct. 15 to witness the lighting of the newly restored grand marquee, part of a $17.8 million investment approved by the Alameda County Board of Supervisors (ACBS).
Kicking off the event, Alameda County Supervisor for District 3 Lena Tam described the evening’s festivities as a “major milestone,” and declared the theater a “radiant symbol of San Lorenzo’s cultural heritage and community spirit.”
Acting as the event’s hostess and dressed in classic 1940s attire (the theater opened in 1947), assistant director of the economic and civic development department for ACBS Jaimie Orfanos introduced the speakers and thanked the project team and everyone involved for their support and dedication.
David Newman
Longtime resident Keith Barros did his best Frank Sinatra and warmed up the audience with a rousing rendition of “I Left My Heart in San Lorenzo,” based on the Tony Bennett classic “I Left My Heart in San Francisco,” much to everyone’s delight.
Refreshments, including popcorn and an endless charcuterie board, were provided by Plant Construction, a key member of the restoration effort. Some community members displayed their classic cars to liven up the parking lot.
President of the Lorenzo Theatre Foundation (LTF) Kelly McHan summed up what everyone was feeling, “We’re really hoping that this helps revitalize this area. The San Lorenzo village was a very special place to grow up in, and the theater was the centerpiece of it all.”
Designed by San Francisco architect Alexander A. Cantin and his son Alexander Mackenzie Cantin, the 700-person theater is a gem of the art deco era featuring a fluorescent tower and other architectural flourishes, with interior black-light murals created by muralist Anthony Heinsbergen. In its heyday it was the go-to place for special events, dances and live music.
In 1982 the theater went dark and sat neglected until it was purchased in 2009 by the ACBS. As they began development in 2020, two fires broke out—one in June, the other in October—causing major damage. Despite these setbacks, the ACBS moved forward with renovation, which is slated to be complete by December.
“Finally!” LTF member Randy Waage shouted to the crowd. “I mean, thank goodness something good is happening in San Lorenzo!” Waage praised Arrow Sign Company of Oakland for their fine craftsmanship, replicating the old marquee out of rust-resistant, modern materials, restoring the original letters of the tower, and featuring two new digital reader boards to display information once put in place by hand.
San Francisco-based Architectural Resources Group has been leading the restoration effort of the theater, which, according to Orfanos, will become a “performing arts and entertainment venue that will host films, live music, dance and community events, offering food and drink, to help create synergy and enhance the downtown commercial core of San Lorenzo.”
After the speeches came the moment everyone was waiting for, and as the countdown hit zero and the marquee lit up the evening sky, the crowd erupted with cheers and song.
Said LTF member Diane Rinella, “The Lorenzo has always inspired dreams. It represents the soul of the village. And we will all shine brighter under its glow.”
A ribbon cutting is set for Jan. 23, 2027, with tours of the interior.
