Entertainment returning to Columbiana’s Main Street

By MATTHEW SCHOMER
COLUMBIANA — Shortly after Don Arthurs purchased the old Columbiana Cinema in February 2007, he told the public that when it was ready to reopen, no one would even recognize it.

Fifteen months and an entire interior and exterior renovation later, he has lived up to that promise, and today will be the public’s first chance to get a peek inside the entertainment venue located on the square at the corner of North Main Street and West Park Avenue.

The Main Street Theater will host its grand opening today starting at 6 p.m., and the public is invited to enjoy a free, brief multimedia presentation and live performances by local musical entertainers Rick Blackson and Mary Jo Maluso. Show times will be 6:30, 7:30 and 8:30 p.m. and tickets for the limited seating will be handed out at the box office. Refreshments will be provided and theater tours will be available between the shows.

Theater manager Tammy Crismon, who previously managed Salem Community Theatre, said what really sets Main Street apart from other theaters is that it will offer the public a variety of entertainment, from new releases to classic films, live drama to stand-up comedy, local bands to symphonic performances.

“We’re not going to be your typical movie theater ... and we’re not going to have just typical (live) productions either,” she explained.

The first screening at the theater will be a weekend of the 1961 film “Breakfast at Tiffany’s.”

A rumor in town is that the film was the first ever shown at the original theater but Crismon said that is not true.

“We were looking at some favorite all-time classics, and that fit everyone’s list,” she said, also noting that the movie is a good fit for Mother’s Day weekend.

The first screening will be at 7 p.m. Friday with four more screenings throughout the weekend, including a 3 p.m. Mother’s Day show incorporating live entertainment, with a dessert buffet at the Encore Cafe starting an hour earlier.

While events are still in the planning phases, Crismon said she is anticipating some theme weekends for movies with large followings, such as the “Star Wars” or “Star Trek” films. The theater will be offering screenings of all three “Shrek” movies from May 13-21.

Those waiting for the first new release at the theater can look forward to “Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull,” which opens May 22.

As for upcoming live entertainment, the theater will host “Hooray for Hollywood,” a tribute to Academy Award-winning songs produced by Gary and Cheryl Kekel, on June 27-29; “A Soldier’s Tale,” a dramatic musical composition directed by John Simsic, on July 11-13, and the “Voice of Main Street Theater” vocal talent competition to be held over the summer. The competition will feature children to adults in four age categories singing in three rounds and being judged by the audience in the final round.

The lobby of the theater also features a place for the works of local artists to hang, and the theater and adjoining Encore Cafe provide a place for local musicians to showcase their talents.

“What’s unique about this venue is that we’ve got movies and live performances, and a pretty good variety of each,” Crismon noted.

She said the theater will likely be open six days per week, closed on Mondays.

The building itself offers a stark contrast to the broken seats, dim lighting and tiny concession area that theatergoers saw 15 months ago.

The 32-foot-wide movie screen rolls up electronically to reveal a 38-foot-wide stage, which has expanded in length about 20 feet since the theater’s last incarnation.

Construction project manager Jim Klemann, who has worked on construction of the theater since renovation began, said the stage is about 1,000 square-feet in size and he also added a backstage area.

The concession stand has a much more modern feel than it did previously and has also expanded in size.

“We’ve got all the bells and whistles,” Crismon noted.

All that expansion has the drawback of a smaller seating area. The old theater seated about 600 people while the current one seats 440.

But the seats are new, cushioned and comfortable, featuring a cup holder on each arm rest and that crisp new-theater smell.

Klemann, who said his proverbial blood, sweat and tears are in the theater, also noted Arthurs involved himself in almost every aspect of making the theater look and feel just right.

“I wouldn’t say every nut and bolt, but it was very close to that,” he remarked.

The theater remained closed for longer than many community members had expected. Klemann said while the opening may have taken a little longer than expected, he feels the end result is worth the wait.

“He’s a perfectionist and he wanted to make things right, and really, that’s the way to be,” he said of Arthurs.

Klemann also touted the theater’s superb acoustics for live performances and soundproofed walls for keeping out unwanted outside noise.

Crismon also noted that economic times are tough, and to make the theater experience affordable, she expects ticket prices for classic movies to hover around the $2-4 range and new releases to be closer to $7, which is less than some other local theaters.

Those wishing to contact the theater may call 330-482-9647 or visit the Web site at http://www.mytheatercompany.com.'>www.mytheatercompany.com.

mschomer@mojonews.com'>mschomer@mojonews.com