No More Movies For McHenry Theater; Venue Switches To Live Shows

MCHENRY, IL — Owners of the McHenry Downtown Theater in McHenry have decided to stop showing movies at the venue to instead focus on offering more live entertainment.

Movies will no longer be offered starting in early 2022, according to a news release from the theater.

This business plans to combine two of its theaters, building an even larger stage and bringing better sound, lights and seating with the hopes of drawing more lives shows and bigger acts to the venue.

Owners also hope to add a full-service restaurant and bar.

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The theater has seen plenty of changes in recent years. The theater originally closed in 2014 but reopened in 2018 after community investors decided to revitalize and remodel the old, outdated building.

A year later, the COVID-19 pandemic hit. Like many small businesses and privately owned movie theaters across the country, the McHenry theater faced several challenges in 2020, including forced closures and delays in the release of new movies. Once operations resumed, the theater opted to show throwback movies instead, according to a news release.

When studios began releasing new movies, many opted to do so via streaming channels instead of first showing in the theaters. This, along with rising prices in goods, supply chain
woes and staffing challenges, has made the business no longer sustainable as a theater, according to the statement released this past week from the theater.

So, the theater's owners decided to start hosting live events on a newly built stage, including stand-up comedy shows, live music and children's shows. Performers have included
nationally touring comics such as Chris Kattan and Bobcat Goldthwait, acts from America’s
Got Talent and even WGN comedian, Pat Tomasulo.

"The reaction has been so welcoming, McHenry Downtown Theater has decided to completely move away from the movie theater side of the business and turn their focus to become a live events theater," according to the statement.

The McHenry Downtown Theater is located at 1208 N. Green Street in McHenry.

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