The Fox Theater in Oakland, California is a historic and iconic venue located in downtown Oakland. Originally opened in 1928, the Fox Theater has undergone renovations and restorations over the decades to become one of the premier entertainment venues in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Quick Answer
The Fox Theater in Oakland has a total seating capacity of 5,901 seats.
Overview of the Fox Theater
The Fox Theater is located on Telegraph Avenue in downtown Oakland and was originally built as a movie palace in the late 1920s. It was designed in an eclectic combination of Asian and Mediterranean architectural styles and features ornate detailing throughout the interior and exterior.
The original developers wanted the Fox Theater to rival movie palaces in major cities like New York and Chicago. No expense was spared in its design and construction, which included Objects from Asia such as Buddha statues, specially designed carpet, and opulent furnishings.
The Fox Theater opened in 1928 and quickly became a popular entertainment venue, hosting both film screenings and vaudeville acts. In the decades that followed, attendance declined as movies became more accessible via television and other factors. The theater fell into disrepair and was closed in 1966.
In the early 1970s, the Fox Theater narrowly escaped demolition. A group of local citizens banded together to form the Friends of the Oakland Fox and advocated for its restoration. After being acquired by the City of Oakland, restoration efforts began in 1975. The building was renamed the Henry J. Kaiser Convention Center and reopened in 1973 as a performing arts venue.
Further restorations and renovations took place in the 1990s and 2000s. The building was renamed the Fox Theater in 1997 and its original ornate decor and architecture was painstakingly restored. Today, the Fox Theater stands as a restored historic and cultural landmark in Oakland, hosting concerts, comedy shows, performing arts, and other events year-round.
Seating Capacity
The Fox Theater has a total seating capacity of 5,901 across three levels:
- Orchestra level: 2,800 seats
- Mezzanine level: 1,910 seats
- Gallery level: 1,191 seats
The seating breakdown by level is summarized in the table below:
Level | Seating Capacity |
---|---|
Orchestra | 2,800 |
Mezzanine | 1,910 |
Gallery | 1,191 |
Total | 5,901 |
The orchestra level is on the ground floor and has the largest seating capacity. The mezzanine level overlooks the orchestra level and has a medium seating capacity. The gallery level is the highest, smallest level overlooking the mezzanine level.
In addition to the main theater seating, there are 12 box seats located on the mezzanine and gallery levels. The boxes can accommodate between 6 and 8 guests each.
Notable Features
In additional to its high seating capacity, the Fox Theater is also notable for the following interior features:
Ornate Decor
The Fox Theater is designed in an eclectic Asian and Mediterranean architectural style. The interior features ornate detailing including:
- Intricate plasterwork and bas-relief designs on walls, ceilings, and columns
- Elaborate painting and gold leaf accents
- Ornate chandeliers and pendant lights
- Statues, carvings, and tile mosaics
Many of these decorative elements are original to the theater’s 1928 construction.
Mighty Wurlitzer Organ
A signature highlight of the Fox Theater is its massive Wurlitzer theater organ. The organ was installed in 1929 and has over 4,400 pipes. It is located in the orchestra pit and rises up mechanically on a lift for performances.
Dome Ceiling
The Fox Theater features an ornate domed ceiling stretching over 100 feet across. The dome is accented with an oculus window and accent lighting.
Usage as an Event Venue
Today, the Fox Theater hosts a wide variety of events and performances, including:
- Concerts – For popular music acts, comedy shows, and other concerts
- Performing arts – For Broadway musical touring shows, ballet, and opera performances
- Movies – Periodic classic movie screenings
- Special events – Galas, speaking engagements, awards shows, and more
Its large seating capacity makes the Fox Theater well-suited for major touring productions, concerts, and other big events. The theater can accommodate between 2,000 to 6,000 guests depending on the type of event and seating configuration used.
The superior acoustics, historic architecture, and theatrical ambiance also make it an ideal performing arts venue. Everything from intimate chamber music concerts to large-scale operas and ballets are hosted on the Fox Theater stage.
Conclusion
With nearly 6,000 seats over three levels, the Fox Theater in Oakland has the distinction of being one of the largest theater venues in the San Francisco Bay Area. Its ornate, eclectic interior decor transport guests back to the grand movie palaces of the 1920s.
The Fox Theater has undergone an incredible revitalization from an abandoned movie house in the 1960s to a restored historic gem hosting 200+ events per year. The efforts to save and restore the Fox reflect the venue’s importance as a cultural landmark in Oakland.
Whether taking in a concert, comedy show, movie screening, or Broadway tour, the experience of seeing a show at the Fox Theater is unmatched. The combination of its size, stunning architecture, and great acoustics make it one of the best entertainment venues in the region.