The Theatre was built by Samuele Sebastiani in 1933 as a movie house. It was designed by well-known theater architect James W. Reid. The Theatre screened its first movie on April 7, 1934 -- "Fugitive Lovers" starring Robert Montgomery. Admission price was 30¢.
You will notice the Sebastinai Theatre name has the traditional British spelling, "re" instead of "er." Samuele Sebastiani chose to name it with that spelling.
For a complete history of the Sebastiani Theatre, please read the two-part Sonoma Index Tribune article below written by historian Gerald Hill.
Thank you to Sonoma Index Tribune Publisher Bill Lynch for allowing the Sebastiani Theatre Foundation to republish these.
Part One: Sonoma's Gem: Sebastiani Theatre reaches 75
Part Two: Sebastiani Theatre turns 75
Sonoma Mayor Ken Brown presented a proclamation at the April 15, 2009 Sonoma City Council Meeting honoring the Sebastiani Theatre's 75th anniversary.
