A dedicated advocate's persistent efforts to see Hollywood's renowned Cinerama Dome cinema reopen have recently come to an unexpected halt, despite years of fervent campaigning. Since the dome's closure in 2020 due to the pandemic, Benjamin Steinberg, an actor and filmmaker, has been at the forefront of a movement to revive the historic venue. His initiatives included establishing a popular social media presence, launching a petition that garnered over 30,000 signatures, organizing several public rallies, and most recently, staging a visually striking protest using projection mapping directly onto the theater's exterior. This last demonstration, intended to highlight what Steinberg perceived as civic abandonment by the property's owners, specifically targeted Chris Forman, CEO of Decurion Corp., with the message, "Mr. Forman REOPEN THE DOME!"
The intense advocacy reached a turning point when the projection-mapped protest, after two hours on its second night, led to police intervention. Authorities informed Steinberg and his team that the Forman family considered their actions harassment and demanded an immediate cessation. Although no arrests were made and no citations were issued, as they were operating from a public sidewalk, Steinberg ultimately decided to end his campaign. He expressed concern over potential legal challenges from the affluent property owners, stating, "This is clearly a First Amendment issue but they're very wealthy and I can't afford to mess around with them." This decision reflects a difficult choice between continuing a passionate cause and facing potentially overwhelming legal battles.
Steinberg, who regularly attended films at the Dome before its closure, now views the adjacent Hollywood Pacific Theatre, which has been dormant since the 1994 Northridge earthquake, as a somber precursor to the Dome's potential fate. His initial optimism about the Dome's imminent reopening has waned, replaced by growing pessimism fueled by observations of the building's deterioration, including accumulating graffiti and damaged historic tilework. His investigations into public records revealed that the property's taxes were reassessed downwards, a move he believes confirms the owners' lack of immediate plans to reopen. Steinberg has also been informed by insiders that Decurion is hesitant to reopen due to the current financial climate for theatrical exhibition. He urges civic leaders to exert greater pressure on the Forman family to either reactivate the landmark or at least provide clear communication regarding its future intentions. This situation underscores the complex interplay between historic preservation, economic realities, and community advocacy, illustrating how even the most dedicated individual efforts can encounter formidable obstacles. The saga of the Cinerama Dome is a poignant reminder of the challenges faced in maintaining cultural landmarks in an evolving urban landscape.
