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History is tucked away in this Japantown theater
The Kabuki 8, as the theater is officially known, was San Francisco’s first multiplex.
By Natasha Chen
Out of the Fog
Kabuki 8 Theaters in the heart of Japantown.
Photo by San Francisco Daily Nugget.
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The Kabuki 8, located at 1881 Post Street.
Image by Google maps.
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Even though the theater was built initially for traveling Kabuki shows, there weren’t enough Kabuki companies to keep the theater running, according to cinematreasures.org. The purpose of the theater was to boost business for the local Japantown area, so the theater was rented out for plays, musical concerts and revues.
Contributors to cinematreasures.org say that the rows of seats in the theater had been replaced in the 1970s by tables and chairs so food and drinks could be sold to patrons who came for shows. AMC bought the facility and reverted to the traditional seating. They also built the seven additional theaters on the Fillmore Street side of the theater.
The main auditorium is called the “Big House” and seats over 700 people on two levels. The Big House was also the first theater in San Francisco to have a THX sound system.
Sundance Cinemas purchased the Kabuki 8 in March 2006.
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Metallica performed at the Kabuki in 1985.
Photo owned by nugs.net.
Related Links:
Guide to San Francisco Thater
Upcoming Kabuki Events
Related Stories:
Celebrated Film Festival Enters Golden Years (The Daily Californian)
Kabuki fascinates Paris Opera House (The Daily Yomiuri Online)
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