Castro Theatre, courtesy.

Another Planet Entertainment has partnered with the owners of San Francisco’s Castro Theatre to become the exclusive booker of events at the historic theater. In addition to booking all events at the Castro, APE plans to improve the venue’s sound, lighting, marquee and HVAC.

“We want to activate and re-energize the building, making improvements to the customer and artist experience, including dressing room upgrades, restoring the marquee and blade and expanding food and beverage service, said Gregg Perloff, Another Planet Entertainment CEO and cofounder in a written statement. “We want to present all sorts of programming in the theater – comedy, music, film, community and private events and more. We look forward to further contributing to the culture and economy of this vibrant neighborhood.”

The Castro Theatre has been owned by Bay Properties, Inc. since 1922. Bay Properties Vice President Chris Nasser Padian cited the decision to partner with APE because of the promoter and management’s company experience rehabilitating historic venues like Oakland’s Fox Theater, the Greek Theatre in Berkeley and the Bill Graham Civic Auditorium in San Francisco.

James Roday interviews cast members of “Twin Peaks” during an SF Sketchfest tribute at the Castro Theatre on Jan. 13, 2018. Courtesy: Jakub Mosur.

“Bay Properties is excited that the partnership with APE will continue the legacy of the Castro Theatre and Castro neighborhood,” Padian said.

The Castro Theatre was designated a City of San Francisco registered landmark in 1976, with an interior influenced by Spanish, Asian, Italian and Art Deco architecture, with motif murals created in a rare wet plaster process called sgraffito. It’s the heart of the Castro neighborhood’s LGTBQ+community. It recently hosted the worldwide premiere for “The Matrix Resurrections,” drawing the film’s stars like Keanu Reeves. The Castro will celebrate its 100th anniversary on June 22.

Last year, Another Planet expanded its artist management arm with the acquisition of Los-Angeles-based Telegraph Road Management, with an artist roster that includes Billy Idol, Mike Campbell, Benmont Tench and Cherry Glazerr.