Sean Bacardo and Kassandra Douglas rehearse a scene from a recent production of The Twilight Zone at the Gnosis Theater at Vino Piazza in Lockeford. Gnosis wants to make Vino Piazza its permanent home, but county zoning laws do not allow live theater in industrial areas. (News-Sentinel file photo)

Red tape could stick local theater company without a home

A Lodi theater group has been trying out Vino Piazza as its new home, but the owner of the building that houses 11 wineries and a restaurant discovered he needs approval from San Joaquin County first.

The Gnosis Theatre Co. began using the Lockeford property for special events in June, but the county doesn't permit live theater in an industrial zone, said Bob Marty, chairman of the Lockeford Municipal Advisory Council.

"They were looking for a home, they're a wonderful group and the theater would work fine with our tasting room," said Don Litchfield, who owns Vino Piazza and Old Lockeford Winery.

"Vino Piazza is a lovely place to be," said Gnosis board member Claire Pacheco. "We've enjoyed our time out there, and the Litchfields have been very supportive."

But Litchfield has some government red tape to cut through before Gnosis can call Vino Piazza a permanent home.

Vino Piazza's property is zoned for industrial use, which does not permit an indoor spectator activity such as live theater, according to Chandler Martin, the county's deputy community development director.

However, participatory activities like bowling and arcade games are permitted, Litchfield said.

So Litchfield must apply for what county planners call a "text amendment," which he plans to file this week. The text amendment, if approved by the Board of Supervisors, would allow Gnosis to operate at Vino Piazza.

"It would be nice to find a home," Pacheco said. "We're getting tired of hauling (stage equipment) all over town."

Vino Piazza, located on Locke Road, is home to 11 wineries and a Thai restaurant.

The theater company has used several locations in the Lodi area, such as Vino Con Brio winery at Amorosa Inn and Vineyards.

At Vino Piazza, Gnosis has performed during wine-tasting events during the past two months, Litchfield said. Plans call for Gnosis to perform every Friday and Saturday night, plus a Sunday matinee.

"They do all kinds of fun stuff, like Shakespeare and a Twilight Zone-type series," he said.

Gnosis actors will be involved in a haunted winery tour, which will be available by appointment only so that Litchfield can manage the crowd, he said. The winery had a haunted winery tour for two years, but it was discontinued because of the long lines, Litchfield said.

"I'm still tired from first two years, and that was five years ago," Litchfield said.

Litchfield envisions people eating dinner at the Thai restaurant on the winery grounds or possibly a future Italian deli before seeing the stage production in a building adjacent to the courtyard. Wine tasting would be available during intermission, plus before and after the performance.

During the summer, Gnosis performed in the courtyard itself, Litchfield said.

Gnosis is governed by eight board members and have about two dozen regular actors, Pacheco said. The community can always audition for parts.

Gnosis leaders hope to have children participate and learn about theater and good literature as well as gain confidence speaking in front of groups, Pacheco said.

Contact reporter Ross Farrow at rossf@lodinews.com.

First published: Tuesday, October 3, 2006