December 19, 2007

It’s hard to imagine East Liberty Street without the Michigan Theater. Though bustling with commerce, the block was bereft of art and magic. That all changed on January 5, 1928 when Ann Arbor’s movie palace opened.

In the 80 years since that night, the Michigan Theater has become a community treasure, hosting over 250,000 guests each year with the finest in specialty film and live entertainment. Starting the weekend of Jan 4-6, celebrate the magic with a year-long series of events commemorating the anniversary.

Friday, Jan. 4 at 5 pm:

Mayor John Hieftje will present Michigan Theater Board Chair Jean Rowan and Executive Director Russ Collins with a ceremonial deed symbolizing the official transfer that took place recently when the City deeded the building to the Michigan Theater Foundation. Regular film screenings (ATONEMENT and THE SAVAGES) follow.

Saturday, Jan. 5 all day:

80-cent admission to all screenings of ATONEMENT and THE SAVAGES for Michigan Theater members; regular admission for non-members. Special screening of Some Like It Hot at 8 pm.

Sunday, Jan. 6 at 4 pm:

MARY POPPINS screening free for kids 12 and under, regular admission for others. Regular film screenings follow.

Additional 80th Anniversary events will be announced throughout the year.

It wasn’t always an easy road from opening night to today. When businessman Angelo Poulos commissioned Detroit architect Maurice Finkel to design the Michigan, Finkel called it “a Shrine to Art...not built for today only but constructed in the hopes that it might be a monument for years to come.”

For several years in the early 1980s, the future of the Michigan Theater appeared cloudy. Thanks to the efforts of a dedicated band of advocates, it was transformed from white elephant to cherished community arts center and restored to its glorious red velvet and gilded plaster splendor. Maurice Finkel’s dream lives on.

Come celebrate. The party is just getting started.

MARY POPPINS is part of the Pfizer Family-Friendly Film Series, with support for the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs. Our daily film program is sponsored by a gift from AT&T. This year’s media sponsors are WEMU 89.1 FM and 107one.