By Nate Gartrell
The Empress Theatre in Vallejo is probably the region’s most celebrated entertainment venue. Named a Vallejo Landmark in 1990, the Empress’ enduring past includes withstanding a devastating fire, the Loma Prieta earthquake, several years of inactivity, half a dozen name changes, and many new owners. If its 108-year-old walls could talk, they’d be able to recite an Encyclopedia’s worth of plays, musical compositions, and movies.
Now, the Empress is better than ever, thanks to the latest series of new features: a city-funded renovation of its sound and lighting systems. The improvements are described by those familiar with the theater as a game-changer, “unbelievable,” and an opportunity to book greater acts.
The invigorating new LED lighting system allows crews at the Empress to do things that weren’t possible before. The system cost $150,000, paid for by grants from the City of Vallejo, which owns the theater. It allows for electrifying displays of lights in all sorts of colors and designs, which—as Empress staff recently demonstrated at a sneak preview in June—can stand alone as its own show. The June demonstration was evocative of a laser show, and featured flashing colorful lights and movement as the songs “Foreplay,” by Boston and “Frankenstein,” by The Edgar Winter Group boomed through the sound system. For those who missed this early display, a video of it can be found on the city’s YouTube page (under the username “CityofVallejo.” It is entitled “Empress Lighting Upgrade.” (https://youtu.be/0YrVNzqPwN8)
“I believe the opportunity for this small financial investment will yield results tenfold both in offering an improved experience for theatre-goers as well as the youth training programs the Empress is looking to offer,” Vallejo City Manager Gregory Nyhoff said. “I was honored to be invited to the sneak preview. It exceeded all expectations. I encourage the community to find a show of their liking and go experience it for themselves.”
Early feedback of the new lighting and sound has contained equally high praise. City officials, council members and local supporters of the arts who attended the initial showcasing described it as a night-and-day shift, saying they were blown away and several of them predicting that the changes will help the theater book bigger acts in coming years. The staff of the Empress compares the lighting system to a kid having a new toy to play with on their birthday and point out the changes are part of a new era for the Empress, which in recent years has gotten some badly-needed stability.
Known previously as the Fox Senator, the Vallejo Theater, the Republic, and the Crest, the Empress returned to its original name in 1980, following a restoration that followed nearly 20 years of inactivity at the theater. It has remained “the Empress” ever since and is now owned by the City of Vallejo and managed by the Vallejo Community Arts Foundation, a California Public Benefit Corporation designed to bolster local art programs and events. Built in 1911, it now seats nearly 500, less than half its original capacity of 1,100 (before it was nearly destroyed by a fire in the 1930s). It spent several years as a movie theater in the 1950s, and still occasionally screens films, but its main purpose is to showcase live performances. Its current general manager, Kevin Frazier, is an accomplished saxophone player who has shared the stage with Huey Lewis (among other musical legends) and knows what it takes to build a successful theater, in both the business world and in terms of acoustics. Each month the Empress hosts a wide array of events, from film clubs and stand-up comedy to classical music to rock and jazz concerts. In early 2017, the Vallejo Symphony announced it was returning to the Empress after several years performing at the Hogan Middle School auditorium. To help accommodate the symphony (and as part of the revitalized sound system), the theater installed new microphones across the stage.
The Empress’ upcoming acts in August and September include tributes to Fleetwood Mac, Lynyrd Skynyrd, the Eagles, and the Bee Gees, as well as the blues/tango intersection group María Volonté / Blue Tango Project, Akira Tana and Otonowa, presented by the Vallejo Jazz Society, and Richmond singer Duane Patton. In late August, the Empress will host one of the most popular events of the year, the San Francisco International Piano Festival.
“Now in its 3rd season, the Festival has quickly become one of the most exciting and engaging musical events in the Bay Area and has attracted international attention through its world-class artists, unique programming, and friendly rapport between performers and audience,” the Empress’ website says.
The new sound and lighting improvements have also opened the door for new masterclasses to be taught in the Empress. Starting September 9, classes will be offered in acting, digital lighting, and digital filmmaking. The digital lighting class will be taught by the Empress’ own Lighting Director, Carl Brooks, and all three classes will provide students with, “an opportunity to learn valuable skills to get ahead in today’s entertainment industry,” the theater’s website says. To sign up, visit www.emc2.empresstheatre.org.
The Empress is located in downtown Vallejo at 330 Virginia St. Its box office is open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Tuesday thru Saturday, and starting one hour before every show. If you’re interested in buying tickets, you can also call the box office during open hours at (707) 552-2400. The Empress can also be reserved for private parties, weddings, corporate meetings, film screenings, and other events. For more information, to volunteer, check the schedule, sign up for classes, and more, visit www.empresstheatre.org.
Nate Gartrell grew up in Benicia, studied journalism in college, and has written for a handful of media outlets since age 15. He aspires to visit all 30 Major League Baseball stadiums and to hit the trifecta at the horse track.
