City ready to reopen theatre this month

    Imperial residents will soon have a familiar outlet for entertainment back to nearly a pre-COVID schedule when the Imperial Theatre reopens this month.
    The first weekend for shows will be April 16-17.
    Members of the community center commission, which makes recommendations on the theatre’s operation, met last week and moved to reopen the facility at 607 Broadway St.
    City Administrator Jo Leyland said the initial schedule will provide movies only on Friday and Saturday nights. There will be no Sunday shows during the initial reopening, she said.
    Previously, Imperial Theatre offered movies Friday, Saturday and Sunday each weekend.
    Initially, movies booked will be shown over two consecutive weekends.
    The shows movie-goers can expect during April and May include “Raya and the Last Dragon,” “Tom and Jerry,” “The Girl Who Believes in Miracles” and “Godzilla vs. Kong.”
    Those movies were released in February, March and April this year, and all have a PG or PG-13 rating. Leyland didn’t know at this time which movie will be shown for opening weekend.
    They are continuing to work with Main Street Theaters in Omaha as the city’s booking agent. CEO Bill Barstow believes there could be some newer releases out in the coming weeks, so if others would be preferable, some of the movies above could be switched, Leyland said.
    With each movie showing for two weekends, those four initial movies will run to the end of May.
    “We’re unsure what will be available for movies after that. It’s our hope we’ll keep it open after that,” she said.
    Concerning concessions, Leyland said the candy selection will be minimal for now, but all of the soft drink choices and popcorn will be available.
    Masks will be recommended for movie-goers, but not required.
    Leyland said they have had a lot of calls and requests for reopening the theatre. She said they’re aware that some of the theatres in surrounding communities have opened, too.
Looking for volunteers
    While the first weekend, April 16-17, already has volunteers to work the concession stand, more are needed for the following weekends.
    Organizations, businesses and families are invited to volunteer, she said. Call the city office if interested, 308-882-4368.
    Gloves will be provided for workers in the concession stand. Masks will be recommended, but not required, Leyland said.
    The city purchased a disinfectant fogger, which will be used by the projectionist on all of the seating after each movie is shown, she added. Hand sanitizer will also be available.
Wauneta theatre
    The Chateau Theater in Wauneta will reopen at some point, according to Michelle Harchelroad who serves on the Wauneta theater committee. A specific date hasn’t yet been determined.