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Script changes for area cinemas
Muvico is forging ahead without Frank Theaters for a planned movie theater next to Spotsylvania Towne Centre while Regal plans to spiff up its cinema in Central Park
BY CATHY JETT
Date published: 9/17/2008
BY CATHY JETT
The Fredericksburg area's evolving movie scene is changing once again.
Regal Entertainment Group has announced it will renovate its Central Park movie theater, while Muvico has picked a different partner for the theater complex it will build at Spotsylvania Towne Centre.
Regal, which owns the largest theater circuit in the country, plans to remodel Regal Fredericksburg 15 in phases beginning in the fourth quarter of this year. Work will include putting digital projection and stadium seating in every theater, two of which will be combined into one larger space. The complex will be renamed Regal Cinemas Fredericksburg Stadium 14 when it opens next summer.
"Regal is switching to digital all across the country," said Regal Entertainment Group spokesman Russ Nunley. "It is a coordinated rollout to theaters nationwide, and we have targeted Fredericksburg to be complete before the summer movie season hits."
Meanwhile Muvico Entertainment will be working with Splitsville, a Tampa, Fla.-based restaurant concept that offers bowling and billiards, instead of Frank Theaters on the tentatively named Muvico Paragon 12, according to Anthony Cafaro Sr., president and chief executive officer for Cafaro Co.
As originally announced, Muvico Paragon 12 would be a 12-screen, all-stadium-seated digital theater able to show 3-D movies as well as sports events and concerts, including opera performed at the Met.
It would cater to youngsters, teens and families on the ground level with eight theaters, a restaurant, about 20 bowling alleys and a giant arcade. Adults ages 21 and up could take the escalator to the second floor "premium" level, which would feature a full-service bar and restaurant, four theaters offering reserved seating and free valet parking as well as several bowling lanes in a trendy setting.
"There are quite a few different operations vying for position to be part of the Muvico complex. It's really not our decision who they're going to be utilizing as subcontractor," Cafaro said.
He stressed that "there's no hiccup" in his company's deal with Muvico, which is expected to open Muvico Paragon 12 on the mall property next spring.
Muvico, which is noted for its lavishly decorated theaters and amenities, announced in July that it would be teaming up with Frank Theaters for the Muvico Paragon 12 project. Frank Theaters, which is based in Jupiter, Fla., is known for its family entertainment centers such as Superplay USA in Port Lucie, Fla.
"We're so involved with our new theaters, as they are," said Bruce Frank, Frank Theaters' president. "It's just difficult for everyone to put their schedules together."
He said his company is still interested in the Fredericksburg area and is planning to build "an entertainment product" here.
"We think Fredericksburg is a growth area," Frank said. "We like what it represents for the future of entertainment. I don't want to disclose what it will have, but we are talking to people now."
He declined to name names, but did say he knows people at Silver Cos.
Cathy Jett: 540/374-5407
Email: cjett@freelancestar.com
| Fredericksburg Stadium 14 will feature these amenities:
Digital projection in every auditorium, which will allow alternative programming such as concerts, opera, Broadway shows and sporting events;
Real D 3-D projection systems available for 3-D enhanced presentations;
Digital surround sound;
Stadium seating in every auditorium, instead of just five, for an unobstructed view of the screen;
The newly configured auditorium arrangements will also have seating for approximately 2,000 patrons and be handicapped accessible;
New high-back rocking recliner seats;
Retractable cup holders that can move out of the way to form seats for two;
Updated concession stand designed to improve delivery times and customer flow. The menu will include all of the most popular cinema snacks, including pizza;
New carpeting and tile in all auditoriums, halls and lobby;
Lobby will include an arcade area for interactive gaming and a new guest service desk offering extra assistance to customers;
New computerized box office located indoors to protect patrons from the elements;
Regal Express kiosks will provide fully automated ticket purchasing;
Updates to the exterior will include new signage;
The industry-leading Regal Crown Club loyalty program, which rewards frequent moviegoers;
Advance tickets are also available by phone or through REGmovies.com.
--Regal Entertainment Group
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Date published: 9/17/2008
Most recent reader comments:
Need a Small, Indepenedent Theater in town
(posted by
Einstein
, Sep. 17, 2008 11:31 am)
to show independent, Art and foreign films, documentaries and other non-mainstream films. The Cinema Arts theater in Fairfax; the West Hampton in Richmond and the long gone Biograph and Key theaters in Georgetown are best examples. Comfortable, clean theaters that attract adults not willing to endure the Idiot Collectors that are current Mega-monster Cineplexes.
I'd be so happy to visit a movie theater that wasn't over run with obnoxious teenagers. A 21 and over section would be terrific. My complaint with the development here is that there's plenty of places to shop or eat til you burst but nothing to actually do.
I would pay more
(posted by
MathewBrooks
, Sep. 17, 2008 9:24 am)
If i could sit in a theater where people didnt talk the entire time...
This is going to crash, just like everything else that neat that comes to town, it too will go the way of the DoDo.
pretty awesome
(posted by
easyrider
, Sep. 17, 2008 7:31 am)
sounds like a great plan. to be able to go out in fred and not
have it be solely a restaurant is welcoming, especially the idea
to put special events on the theater screens.
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