Missoula's Roxy Theater mixes long-ago with up-to-date this Friday in a celebratory reopening of its historic entryway. The party includes a special screening of John Steinbeck's “The Grapes of Wrath” and a 1930s costume theme to evoke the Depression era-origins of the Roxy.
But inside, a new high-definition projector and updated filmmaking equipment herald the International Wildlife Media Center and Film Festival's thrust for the future.
Friday's party includes a silent auction, door prizes, an old-time photo portrait studio and a live commentary on Steinbeck's story by University of Montana media arts professor Michael Murphy. Festivities run from 5 to 9 p.m., with “The Grapes of Wrath” at 7 p.m.
The gathering caps a week of “Grapes of Wrath” showings the Roxy has presented as part of a nationwide “Big Read” project sponsored by the National Endowment for the Arts, the Institution for Museums and Libraries and the Montana Historical Society. Hundreds of local high school students have received copies of Steinbeck's book and watched the movie at the Roxy through the project.
“They approached us right before the economy started to plummet,” Rose said of the Big Read. “Even though it's a little depressing as a topic, it makes it an interesting thing to do in a historic theater.”
Since moving into the Roxy in 2003, the center has been expanding its capabilities to meet public needs. In addition to hosting two annual film festivals, its year-round activities include an extensive wildlife and documentary film rental library, children's and adult filmmaking classes and workshops, venue rentals for conferences, musical performances and parties, and educational program development that can be sent to schools in Montana and elsewhere.
But refinishing the building has been an equally important need. The original Roxy was gutted by a fire in 1994 and rebuilt as a three-screen theater in 1999. Rose said the sidewalk façade still needed structural work when the center took it over in 2003. Bringing it back to its historic style was more of a dream than a plan.
However, a grant proposal to the M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust made a more ambitious renovation possible. And local community members came through as well. Architect Tim Skufca of the Kibo Group donated the designs for the new marquee, and Apex Engineering engineer Dave Roberts worked out the construction details. Those were the most expensive parts of the project, Rose said.
The whole marquee and façade construction cost about $100,000, with half coming from the Murdock grant. That's in addition to the $400,000 the center has been raising since it moved into the Roxy for overall program efforts. Rose said that campaign is just $50,000 short of its goal - the sponsorship amount for its last unnamed theater.
Tickets for Friday's festivities cost $10 and include food, entertainment and a seat for the movie. They are available at the Roxy box office at 718 S. Higgins Ave. or by calling 728-9380.
Reporter Rob Chaney can be reached at 523-5382 or at rchaney@missoulian.com.
It's a party
Tickets for this Friday's grand reopening of the Roxy Theater are $10 and include food, entertainment and a seat for the movie. The event runs from 5 to 9 p.m., with a special showing of “The Grapes of Wrath” at 7 p.m. Tickets are available at the Roxy box office at 718 S. Higgins Ave., or by calling 728-9380.
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Judy Minteer wrote on Dec 11, 2008 1:37 PM: