Save the Performing Arts: Movie Theaters to the Rescue

If you are a movie buff like me and you go to the movies at least
twice a month? You must have noticed that several movie theaters are
incorporating alternative content events to their regular Hollywood movie
showtimes. Movie theaters that have been converted into digital now have the
advantage of playing live broadcasts of the Metropolitan Opera, Ballet in
Cinema, The National Theatre Live, and so much more. Therefore, they are
attracting different types of audiences that perhaps, are too far away from
watching the performance live at the venue or just cannot afford the tickets
and would rather pay an average of $12 to $25 to watch it at their local
theater.

Many performing arts organizations are broadcasting their
productions to movie theaters around the globe and making good profit by
selling tickets, subscriptions and selling CDs or DVDs of the performances,
etc. By doing this, movie theaters are also increasing their week-day ticket
sales, since most of the live performances (except for the Live Met) and
encores happen during the week.

OK, great, I get it, so by going to the movie theater and catching
a live alternative content performance, I am supporting both the performing
arts and my local movie theater. But, what are the advantages of watching these
shows on the big screen rather than Live at the actual venue? Well, First of
all, this is a great alternative for us people who have a hard time with the
logistics of planning to go to the live performance- could be schedules,
commuting, etc. Second of all, for those of us who cannot simply afford the
tickets and finally for those of us you want to watch a Live event that is
happening in a different city or country around the world. This is a great
solution.

Thanks to digital cinema conversion, the Digiplex Cranford and
Rialto theaters in Cranford and Westfield respectively are playing one or more
alternative content events each week. By doing this, patrons are leaving their
couches to go and grab a bite to eat at their local restaurant (increasing sales
for local businesses) and heading to the theater to watch a live performance of
their preference. Imagine going to watch The Met: Live in HD encore
presentation of ‘Manon’ with a loved one after a nice and quiet dinner. You can
grab a cup of coffee or tea and some sweets at the concession stand and watch
the performance…while wearing your jeans and comfy shoes.

Check out the Digiplex Destinations website www.digiplexdest.com and Special Events tab to discover what is playing at your local Cranford and Rialto theaters.