Raymond Theater Closed by Fire Chief

The historic Raymond Theatre, which reopened last month after four years of darkness, was shut down Friday and Saturday nights for failure to meet fire safety regulations.

Fire Chief Kaya Pekerol, who closed down the Raymond at 5 p.m. Friday, said owner Gary Folgner failed to meet a number of fire safety regulations. Chief among them was the failure to verify that flame-retardant material was used to upholster 1,000 ground-floor seats, Pekerol said.

The city is also concerned about low water pressure and minor violations including no exit striping on stage, no hanging fire extinguishers and no signs warning against blocking exits.

Pekerol said he allowed Folgner to open Nov. 16 with the rock group Toto after a fire sprinkler and other temporary measures were installed, though Folgner has known for four months what needs to be done.

“The ball’s in his court now,” Pekerol said.

Folgner, who operates the Coach House in San Juan Capistrano and the Ventura Theater, has demanded a meeting with city officials before he proceeds with further fire safety work.

“If Pasadena wants me to have a concert hall in that town, someone’s going to have to cooperate better than they’ve been cooperating,” Folgner said.

Folgner said the shutdown cost him $40,000 in ticket refunds and salaries paid to Grateful Dead guitarist Bob Weir, scheduled to play Friday night, and country musician Vince Gill, who was to play Saturday. A concert by heavy metal musician Ynwie Malmsteen, scheduled Sunday, also has been canceled.

Folgner bought the neglected, 69-year-old former vaudeville house for $2.5 million this summer, saving it from conversion into an office building. In his initial meetings with city officials, he said, the fire safety requirements were characterized as minor.

“Since that time, there’s a list of things that have been brought to me for many, many thousands of dollars of work,” he said. “I wouldn’t have purchased the building under those conditions.”

Folgner said he will switch the Raymond’s remaining December bookings to his other buildings if the matter isn’t resolved this week. Jazz pianist Joe Sample is scheduled Dec. 14 and the musical group Spyro Gyra on Dec. 30.