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Circle Star Theater

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Coordinates: 37°29′52″N 122°14′26″W / 37.49778°N 122.24056°W / 37.49778; -122.24056
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Circle Star Theater
Map
Location2 Circle Star Way,
San Carlos, California,
United States
Typedinner theater
Capacity3,743
Opened1964
ClosedDecember 1993

The Circle Star Theater was a performing arts venue active from 1964 until 1993, located at 2 Circle Star Way in San Carlos, San Mateo County, California, U.S..[1] Its name is based on it being a theater in the round, featuring a rotating circular stage with none of its 3,743 seats further than 50 feet (15 m) from the stage. Unlike similar venues across the United States, the Circle Star Theatre stage had the ability to rotate in either direction without limit, thanks to the slip ring and brush system that supplied electrical/audio to and from the stage.

History

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Its original concept was as a dinner theater, similar to the Hyatt Music Theater in nearby Burlingame.[2] On March 9, 1964, ground-breaking took place, financially backed by Debbie Reynolds, Steve Allen, Sammy Davis Jr. and others.[3][2] It was on 9.5 acres (3.8 ha) of land, with a parking lot that held 1,000 vehicles.[2] It was planned for the Circle Star Theater to hold 3,300 seats, and at the time of opening the capacity around 3,743.[2][3] To build it costed US $2.8 million (which is roughly US $28387554 with inflation).[2] In 1964, the Circle Star Theater opened with Jane Powell and Michael Evan starring in My Fair Lady.[2][4] On October 13, 1964, Opening Night was celebrated.[3]

In 1971, the revolving stage was introduced,[3] and the theatre was purchased by Marquee Entertainment, run by Don Jo Medlevine of the famed Chicago nightclub Chez Paree. Marquee Entertainment booked Las Vegas acts such as Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis, Jr., Dean Martin, and Liberace, among many others. In the mid-1970s the theatre was kept solvent by booking Motown acts to increase its diversity.[5]

Lewis & Dare Productions hosted many Broadway touring shows, such as The Odd Couple, with Ernest Borgnine and Don Rickles.[citation needed]

Don Jo Medlevine sold the Circle Star Theater to Leonard Bloom. In 1987, Bloom sold the theater to a local car dealer, Jim Burney.[6][7] The new owner did not have the same elite relationships with the top entertainers as Bloom had, but leased to a booking agent, later locking them out in December 1993 and ending the entertainment.[8][9][10] The building went into foreclosure.[11] In 1995, the Circle Star Theater memorabilia was sold off at auction after a building sale.[12]

The building caught fire on April 18, 1997, damaging much of the backstage area, though by this time plans had already been made for its demolition.[13][14][15][6] The theater was ultimately demolished to make way for the Circle Star Center, a complex containing two four-story office buildings and a small hotel.[6] Since 2015 or 2014 Softbank owns the buildings and uses them as offices. The hotel is now an Extended Stay America.[citation needed]

Performers

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The following musicians, actors, and comedians are among those who appeared at the Circle Star:

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa Hartlaub, Peter (August 25, 2021). "Remembering the Circle Star, the odd Bay Area theater that put Sinatra and Cheech & Chong on a rotating stage". San Francisco Chronicle. Archived from the original on 2024-08-05.
  2. ^ a b c d e f Emerson, Paul (August 29, 1964). "New Theater's to Bring Top Stars, Musicals to Peninsula". The Peninsula Times Tribune. p. 8. Retrieved 2025-05-16 – via Newspapers.com.
  3. ^ a b c d Calic, Dan (2022-05-20). "Blog: Hollywood Comes Calling". Redwood City Pulse. Retrieved 2024-06-19.
  4. ^ "A look back at the Circle Star". Climate Online. 2020-11-23. Retrieved 2024-06-19.
  5. ^ Svanevik, Michael; Burgett, Shirley (2006-09-30). "Matters Historical: A brief time in the spotlight". San Mateo Daily News. Archived from the original on 2007-10-12. Retrieved 2008-02-27.
  6. ^ a b c Wilson, Marshall (December 25, 1996). "Office Towers A Possibility For Circle Star". SFGate. Archived from the original on 2024-05-29. Retrieved 2025-05-16.
  7. ^ "Chappaquiddick staged?". Tulsa World. November 2, 1989. Retrieved 2024-06-19.
  8. ^ Wildermouth, John (1995-01-06). "Bank Buys Circle Star Theater". San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved 2008-02-27.
  9. ^ "Circle Star for Sale". SFGate. February 10, 1995. Retrieved 2024-08-13.
  10. ^ "BAY AREA REPORT -- PENINSULA / Tentative OK for Plan To Demolish Circle Star". SFGate. Retrieved 2024-08-13.
  11. ^ Clifford, Jim (2018-06-18). "The Circle Star, Hyatt hosted big names". San Mateo Daily Journal. Retrieved 2025-05-16.
  12. ^ "Theater Sold". Elko Daily Free Press. 1994-12-16. p. 5. Retrieved 2025-05-16 – via Newspapers.com.
  13. ^ Wilson, Marshall (1997-04-19). "Fire Damages Closed Theater: Cause unknown in smoky blaze at Circle Star Center". San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved 2008-02-27.
  14. ^ "Fire severely damages famed Circle Star Theater". Santa Cruz Sentinel. April 19, 1997. p. 10. Retrieved 2025-05-16.
  15. ^ Simon, Mark (July 24, 1997). "Ode to Late, Great Circle Star / In theater's heyday, it was the link to big-name showbiz". SFGate.
  16. ^ "Sinatra Sells Pasta Sauce, Songs of Past with an Easy Charm". Chicago Tribune. 13 November 1989.
  17. ^ Clark, Sondra Rae (1971-08-28). "Ike and Tina Boggle Audience". Palo Alto Times. p. 31. Retrieved 2024-02-16 – via Newspapers.com.
  18. ^ "North's speech draws cheers and jeers in San Carlos". SFGate. 12 June 2014.
  19. ^ "Roy Orbison show at Circle Star Theater". 5 April 2013.
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37°29′52″N 122°14′26″W / 37.49778°N 122.24056°W / 37.49778; -122.24056

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