GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) – Movie theaters around the area will reopen in the coming weeks. Marcus Theatres announced more than 65 locations have dates set to open their doors.
“We’ve all had a intermission for awhile, and it’s going to be good to be popping popcorn, watching movies on that big screen, and enjoying them in a safe and comfortable environment,” says Marcus Theatres Director of Marketing and Communications Mari Randa, “We are wanting to create, first and foremost, a fun and entertainment environment for them to come back to.”
However, that entertainment won’t be returning without a few changes to regular programming. They are implementing their acronym S.T.A.R. approach to the reopening plans.
“Social distancing, which you’ll see in place at all of our theaters…Thorough cleaning – you’ll see a heightened level of cleaning at all areas within all of our theaters,” Randa explains, “The ‘A’ is app and website. You can order your tickets before you even get to the theater. You can make the experience of getting into the theater as contact free as possible by doing so…You can also order food and concessions online in advance to make the pick up and entrance into your theater even all the easier.”
The ‘R’ stands for respect.
“We want to respect one another during these crazy times that we’re in. We will be doing things like having hand sanitizer available – all of our associates will be wearing masks and we ask the same of our guests,” Randa says, “All of the protocols we put into place are for added safety measures. They are in alignment with CDC and local ordinances.”
The company reopened a few locations around the country in late June, including Appleton’s Valley Grand Cinema. But many theaters featured classic films or older movies, not brand new releases. That was, in part, due to the shutdown of many Hollywood productions during the pandemic.
“In terms of movies, that’s the fun part of it. We will show some classics – that’s the way that movies are meant to be seen, on the big screen – but we are also excited to welcome the new movies,” Randa tells WTAQ News, “There’s a lineup of new films that are coming in late August and through the remainder of the year that you can expect to see on the big screen – so that we can welcome folks back to a fun movie going experience….Right now we’ve got another four or five titles in October. Into the holiday season, you’ll see at least a dozen new titles in November and December – according to what the studios are telling us at this point.”
In the Green Bay area, the Bay Park Square location is set to open this Friday, August 21st. The East Side Cinema location is set to reopen next Friday, August 28th.
For a full list of reopening dates, head to the Marcus Theatres website.
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