Michigan and State Theaters to Reopen Friday, October 9

It’s time for the show to go on! This is what’s playing and what you need to know as the theaters reopen this week.

Movie lovers rejoice! It’s been a long seven months without our beloved theaters, but starting Friday, October 9, theaters will finally be able to welcome Michigan patrons back. Movie lovers and Michigan Theater Foundation members can see acclaimed first run features on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, and Tuesdays.

Throughout the shut down the Michigan and State Theaters have been working hard to put the very best practices in place for the health and safety of patrons in anticipation of Governor Whitmer’s executive order. Safety systems and procedures include Dynamic Ticketing; allowing families, couples, and “pods” to sit together AND insure safe social distancing inside theaters; updated HVAC systems to guarantee 100% fresh air flow; enhanced cleaning procedures; and safety shields at all points of contact with the public. Both theaters will open for one screening per day (to allow for special cleaning) with 100% fresh heated or cooled (as needed) outside air.

Other safety practices include socially distanced and strictly limited seating capacity (limited to 20% or less of capacity); no-touch ticketing; temperatures taken as moviegoers enter the buildings; and mandatory masks at all times. Concessions (including their renowned popcorn) will only be available as patrons leave the theater. 

What’s Playing?  

The State Theater will open Friday, October 9, with a screening of Trial of the Chicago 7 written and directed by Aaron Sorkin. The film tells the story of seven people charged with conspiracy arising from the protests at the 1968 Democratic National Convention in Chicago and stars Sacha Baron Cohen, Eddie Redmayne, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, and Michael Keaton.

The Michigan Theater’s first screening will be on Sunday, October 11, with The Personal History of David Copperfield starring Dev Patel. Also screening October 11 at The Michigan will be The Forty-Year-Old Version, a stunning debut from writer, director, and star Radha Blank that won this year’s Sundance Directing Award for a U.S. dramatic feature. Shot on black and white film, The Forty-Year-Old Version tells the story of a down-on-her-luck New York City playwright who decides the only way she can salvage her voice as an artist is to reinvent herself as a rapper at age 40.

Due to limited seating and theater capacity, you will want to order tickets in advance on the Michigan/State Theater website. To read more about the Michigan/State Theater COVID safety plan visit here.

+ posts

Recent Articles