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Openings
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May 27, 2010
Muvico mural sparks contoversy
FREDERICKSBURG, VA — Opened on May 7, the new twelve-screen Muvico Village 12 in the Spotsylvania Towne Center features digital projection, 3-D capability, all stadium seating, deluxe VIP seating, cocktail service for those of age, and a bowling center with sixteen lanes called Splitsville. There is a story here.
However, a mural painted above the theater’s Civil War-themed outdoor bar area has angered some patrons because it includes the a partial image of a Confederate flag. The flag will be painted over. Stories here andhere.
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May 14, 2010
Landis Theater reopens after 26 Years
VINELAND, NJ — The Landis Theater had its soft reopening on May 6 as it hosted a local high school production of “42nd Street.”
The theater is expected to have its official grand opening celebration weekend with a performance by Broadway legend Bernadette Peters on May 22 followed by The Lettermen on May 23.
City officials and theater employees have long dreamed of the day when Landis Theatre would become Landis Theater Performing Arts Center.
But the opening event was really a magical moment for area residents, such as Ritter and the roughly 350 others in the audience Thursday, who will never forget their first trip to the Landis Theatre of old and look forward to a future at the new playhouse.
Jim Grace couldn’t believe what he saw when he first stepped into the performance hall. It’s been 35 years since he stood inside the theater, yet the memories came right back to him.
“It was very exciting to be in there,” he said in the lobby. “It looks so nice inside. It’s all the same colors. And did you hear the sound system? Everything was good.”
Read more in the Daily Journal.
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May 13, 2010
Regency renovates, re-opens former Edwards cinema in San Juan Capistrano, CA
SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO, CA – Regency Theatres has opened a new four-screen theater in the space formerly occupied by the Edwards Franciscan Plaza 5. Now decorated in a Moroccan theme, the renovated theater includes Rick’s Café as well as a VIP auditorium. The city had been without a cinema since the Franciscan Plaza closed a decade ago.
The full story, with a slide show, is in the Orange County Register.
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May 12, 2010
Thirteen-screen megaplex opens in York
YORK TWP., PA — The latest addition to the Jupiter, FL-based Frank Theatres, Inc. chain has had its soft opening. The Queensgate 13, built on the site of the former the Regal Queensgate Plaza theater, features all-digital projection, a café, an arcade, and a VIP auditorium where those over 21 can enjoy alcoholic beverages.
Another local official referred to the theater as a possible anchor for the community.
“This theater signals the real rebirth of the community,” said Stewart Weinberg, Dallastown Area School District superintendent. “I’m really excited that since this is in the school district it will help support the quality of education (through added tax dollars). This is a fantastic investment.”
There is more in the York Daily Record.
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May 7, 2010
Santa Barbara Drive-In reopens tonight
GOLETA, CA — After nearly 20 years dark, tonight the Santa Barbara Drive-In will be opening its remaining screen to show “Iron Man 2” with showtimes at 8:00pm and 10:25pm. Come early for the 8pm show as it will definitely be crowded, gates will open between 6-6:30pm depending on lines. Various films to show throughout the summer season.
General Admission is $6.75 and children 5-11 are only $1. CASH ONLY.
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May 5, 2010
Former Red Bridge Theater in Kansas City, MO gets makeover, new name
KANSAS CITY, MO — The former Red Bridge Theater has been acquired by the Fine Arts Group of Kansas City, KS, which currently operates three theaters in Overland Park. The Red Bridge opened in 1999 and closed in 2008. The new owners are re-christening it the Glenwood@Red Bridge, because the owners of the shopping center in which the Fine Arts Group’s current Glenwood Arts Theater is located want to demolish the center and rebuild. The Glenwood@Red Bridge is reopening in phases, beginning April 30.
It has been a year since Mossman and his partners took over the four-plex at Holmes and Red Bridge roads. The facility opened in 1980 and closed in the summer of 2008. Over the years, the Red Bridge had several operators as both a first-run theater and a discount house.
The new Red Bridge theater still has four auditoriums, but each has fewer seats: 246, 230, 160 and 109. Mossman said his crews removed nearly 400 seats to provide more legroom.
The full story is in the Kansas City Star.
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May 3, 2010
Portland’s Living Room Theaters plans Florida sequel
BOCA RATON, FL — Another theatre in the popular Living Room Theaters chain will open this fall. They set themselves apart from the competition by providing a cafe and all digital screens.
The theater, part of a $19 million complex that also features classrooms and offices, would be used by film students during the day, then become a venue for the kind of independent and foreign films Living Room specializes in on nights and weekends. But, unlike at its Portland sibling, no alcohol will be served.
“The university is hoping to build up cultural life on campus, and it creates a captive audience for us,” Rimoch said. “It’s a win-win situation.”
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April 30, 2010
$2 million transforms former Harkins Theater at Paradise Valley Mall in AZ
PHOENIX, AZ — Picture Show Entertainment of Frisco, TX is transforming the space at the Paradise Valley Mall formerly occupied by a ten-screen Harkins Theater. The new $2 million dollar theater will be known as the Picture Show at Paradise Valley and will be open in time for Memorial Day, featuring seven auditoriums, all-digital projection, and 3D capability.
Frisco, Texas-based Picture Show Entertainment said the theater’s nearly $2 million renovation will set it apart from neighboring theaters.
“There are other theaters in the marketplace that have digital capabilities, but this will be an all-digital theater,” said Jeff Stedman, president of The Picture Show. “Some (competitors) are moving in that direction certainly, but there are not a lot of theaters that are already all-digital.”
The full story is in theArizona Republic.
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April 5, 2010
Southington Drive-In may return
SOUTHINGTON, CT — The Southington Drive-In Theatre which was closed and bought by the town in 2002 may see a second life. A group of local residents want to reopen it despite the concession stand, ticket booths, and original screen having been demolished. They would show movies on the newer screen that was added in 1979.
Work has progressed slowly. Besides the demolition, the parking area has been graded flat and the poles and window speakers are gone. Redevelopment was mostly put on the back burner until 2007, when the town council told the board of parks commissioners to draft a plan. It was at that point that people started thinking about showing movies again, Riccio said.
“We can provide people with low-cost entertainment and maintain a bit of the town’s past,” said Joseph Laporte, a park commissioner.
Read more in the Courant.
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Kansas City’s former Majestic Theater becomes Studio Movie Grill; another due for Atlanta
KANSAS CITY, MO — Located in the Zona Rosa lifesyle center, the former Majestic Theater triplex re-opened on April 1 as the latest operation of the Studio Movie Grill chain based in Dallas. Previously, the theater housed three auditoriums and a comedy club. The number of screens is now eight, all digital, with four 3D capable. Another Studio Movie Grill will open in May in Atlanta.
It’s a movie house geared mostly to grown-ups. No noisy arcade games. No visual busyness — not even movie posters cluttering up the navy blue walls.
“We’re not like other theaters,” said Tearlach Hutcheson, marketing director for the Dallas-based chain, during a recent walk-through. The theater, at 7430 N.W. 87th, is the former home of the Improv comedy club (relocated a block east), the Majestic Theatre and Ted’s Montana Grill.
The full story is at Kansas City.com.