When we think about what the Denis could be in the future, we may want to look at an example of another theatre in Pennsylvania--the Ambler Theatre in Ambler, PA, a suburb of Philadelphia.
The theatre closed in 1984 and had been abandoned for fifteen years when a group of local supporters bought it, formed a not-for-profit board and began the arduous process of planning, raising money and improving the theatre.
While maintaining the Spanish/Mediterranean character of the original theatre, the Ambler reopened in 2007 with state of the art projection and sound, two new screening rooms, a restored main theatre, a movable main screen to allow for live performances, and a new box office, concession stand and restrooms.
According to the Philadelphia Weekly: “The Ambler reveals the near-impossible: a discerningly programmed triplex housed in a classic old movie theatre.” A trip there “recalls the days when each neighborhood had a movie palace and the cinema was not only an escape but also the soul of the community.”
Better yet, according to Andrea Fuchs in her article, "Classical Revival" at www.filmjournal.com, "Glenn Felgoise, JKR Partners’ director of marketing, proudly observes that the revived Ambler Theater 'has become the economic magnet in the renewal of the town’s commercial district, and a model of success for the revitalization of Philadelphia’s older small-town suburbs… It has helped spark the revitalization of the Borough of Ambler with the opening of 35 new businesses. Community organizations and area businesses frequently use the theatre for formal meetings, social events and private parties.'"
The theatre shows art-house, first-run, classics and children's movies. General admission is $8.50, though with a $45 annual membership it falls to $4.50, and current attendance is estimated to be 70-80K annually.
While we don't know all the specifics of the Denis redevelopment, it's inspiring to think about what can be achieved when communities rally their support.
Gwyn
4 comments:
Sounds awesome Gwyn!! Nice find!
About ten years ago I lived happily in Seattle and often visited Portland where a little theater that could lived...today I still visit Portland and love to go the Bagdad Theater...Mt. Lebanon might look to it as an example. Following is a link: http://www.mcmenamins.com/index.php?loc=9
I think other successful community and art theaters are a great source for us to look at. If we limit ourselves to what we see around here we will just be another ho-hum facility. We need to take the very best ideas that have worked in other places and incorporate them into our plans. Anyone else have input from other theaters? Would love to hear it!
Having lived in Boston for three years I'm partial to my Boston-area haunts:
The Coolidge Corner Theater --> www.coolidge.org
The Brattle --> www.brattlefilm.org
There are so many things I miss about the city but these two places are at the top of the list. Both add so much to their community. Having worked in the Coolidge office for a number of months, I witnessed firsthand the people that came in on the same day, every week, just to see whatever new was playing. They trusted that in order for us to lend our space to these movies that the experience was going to be worth the time. And it must have been... otherwise we wouldn't have known them all by first name and favorite movie. And that's the other great thing about these regulars -- they all wanted to chat about movies. I loved each and every one of these conversations and hope that someday the Denis can rekindle this same kind of community spirit in Mt. Lebanon.
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