SHAWANO, WI (WTAQ) — Drive through theaters can now reopen under Governor Tony Evers’ latest order, and those in Northeast Wisconsin aren’t wasting any time.
Shawano Cinema has both indoor theaters and a drive in, and General Manager Stephanie Bendtschneider says she’s excited to get things up and running again on Monday.
“We get to get my employees back to work, and we get gonna get to play around with the movies a little bit because of the limited amount that are out there,” Bendtschneider told WTAQ.
The movies Shawano Cinema will show when they reopen on Monday won’t be new. Bloodshot, starring Vin Deisel, and Fantasy Island both came out months ago, but it’s what they have.
“That’s been the biggest hit,” said Bendtschneider. “Even when we do get to re open we may not have a new movie to show because so much depends on what Hollywood decides they’re doing.”
Movie studios delayed film releases when the COVID-19 Coronavirus outbreak began to take hold in China, where the pandemic began. China is a major overseas market for the American film industry.
Regardless of what’s on screen, Bendtschneider predicts a strong opening week.
“I think people are just so bored and sick of being in the house,” Bendtschneider said. “I mean at this point I really don’t think it matters what we show. I think they’re going to come just to get out of the house.”
The movie industry has held back releasing new films during the pandemic.
Shawano Cinema will have social distancing guidelines in place when they reopen, including distance stickers at the concession stand.
