On Tuesday, the historic Castro Theatre held its first concert after reopening last week, with Grammy award-winning singer Sam Smith kicking off a sold-out 20-show residency.
The much-anticipated reopening came two years after the theatre closed for a $41 million restoration and remodel.
Last year, Another Planet Entertainment (APE), which now manages the theatre, rebranded the theatre 'The Castro'. In 2022, APE took over the programming of the 104-year-old Castro Theatre. Theatre ownership remains with the Nasser family and Bay Properties Inc.
The Castro reopened with a performance from Sam Smith. | Photo: Steven Bracco/Hoodline
Over the weekend, The Castro had a ribbon-cutting ceremony and two soft-opening events, including a benefit screening of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert, before Tuesday's grand reopening.
APE's renovations included removing the orchestra-level seating and replacing it with four tiered sections of platforms with removable seats on a motorized raked floor.
Inside the Castro Theatre before Sam Smith's performance. | Photo: Steven Bracco/Hoodline
Additional renovations include restoring the blade, removing the lobby-area concession stand, expanding the women's restroom, improving the ventilation and electrical systems, adding a ground-floor dressing room, and restoring the ceiling.
Indie-pop singer Isabel Dumaa opened the show, followed by Smith's 18-song set. Smith's setlist included "Lay Me Down," "I'm Not The Only One," "Unholy," and "Stay With Me."
Smith paid homage to LGBTQ activist Harvey Milk with an excerpt from his "You Gotta Give Them Hope" speech, which was played inside the theatre, considered sacred by many in the queer community. Smith's band also performed Sylvester's iconic song, "You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real)."
Smith's performance clocked in at nearly 90 minutes and did not include an encore.
The Castro's restored ceiling and chandelier. | Photo: Steven Bracco/Hoodline
Visit The Castro's website for a complete list of upcoming shows and to purchase tickets.
Full Set List:
ACT 1
“Lay Me Down”
“I’m Not the Only One”
“My Guy”
“Too Good At Goodbyes”
“A Little Respect” (Erasure cover)
“Moon Dance”
“Dancing With A Stranger”
“Promises”
“Ain’t Nobody” (Chaka Khan cover)
“I’m Not Here to Make Friends”
“You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real)” (Sylvester cover)
Photo: Steven Bracco/Hoodline
Act 2
“Angel of Montgomery” (John Prine cover)
“Like I Can”
“When He’s Gone”
“HIM”
Harvey Milk's 'Hope Speech'
“Unholy”
“Stay With Me”
“Hold On”
