ANTIOCH — It may not be the final curtain call yet, but the spotlight is dimming for El Campanil Theatre as it may be forced to shut its doors later this year if financial conditions don’t improve.
Board of Directors President Kathie Campbell said the venue has faced difficulties after the COVID-19 pandemic due to competition, claiming people are more selective about how they spend their money.
“So many theaters have closed for that reason, aside from the fact that you can get entertainment in a lot of different ways now, you can get it on Netflix, you go to a winery for a concert,” said Campbell in a podcast interview with Contra Costa News. “So, there’s a lot of competition out there for the entertainment value and the entertainment dollars. As a result of that, we ran into some financial troubles.”
Campbell said in order to keep the theater afloat, the building was sold to clear debts incurred as a result of previous financial decisions. She did not go into detail about those decisions. She also did not respond to requests for comment from this news organization.
The board president said the new out-of-state owner is “very supportive” of the idea that the theater continues its operations.
“We all hope it doesn’t shut down. We’re desperately trying to prevent that, but with the current status, we are looking at probably by December 2025 or early 2026, we may have to close our doors,” said Campbell.
El Campanil Theatre first opened on Nov. 1, 1928, as a venue for vaudeville shows and movies. It was built and owned by Ferdinand Stamm and Ralph Beede and continued to be operated by the Stamm family until 2003.
In 2003, the El Campanil Theatre Preservation Foundation, a nonprofit organization, purchased and converted the building into a community performing arts center.
Originally, it had about 1,100 seats, but after remodeling, it now features about 700 larger, improved seats and an extended stage.
Cambell said there are a “myriad of reasons” that led to the current situation, which the organization is “desperately trying to get out of.”
“We have a great team moving forward, and we are working to keep going forward, but we will definitely need some assistance,” she noted.
Currently, Campbell said the theater needs approximately $240,000 per year to operate, and without it, the theater may have to close its doors.
“We are applying for grants, we are talking to corporations, we are asking people, we are doing everything short of holding a cup on the corner. We are doing everything we can to raise funds and keep it going,” said Campbell. “Nobody wants to see the theater closed.”
She noted it would be “heartbreaking” for Antioch to lose “an anchor in the downtown area.”
Despite bringing in shows such as a Taylor Swift tribute recently, Campbell said the theater has not received the strong support from the community that was expected.
El Campanil Theatre still has shows scheduled throughout the year, including “Comedy Game Night,” hosted by David Studebaker in September; an Eagles tribute in October; and locals Frank Giovanni (Frankie G) and Tia Carroll in November, among others.