Last Updated on August 1, 2022 10:57 am
BOONE, NC – The Appalachian Theatre of the High Country is soliciting input from audience
members and the general public to help select films to be shown in its Cinema Classics Series
this fall. Four specific genres are scheduled for screening at the historic landmark on King Street
in downtown Boone, with movie musicals scheduled for September and sci-fi films in October,
followed by beloved westerns in November, with classic holiday movies slated for December.
The App Theatre Cinema Classics series is generously sponsored by Nancy and Neil Schaffel.
“Many of our most successful events at the theatre have been suggested by patrons,” said Jason
Deathridge, patron services manager. “Here’s your chance to give us your two-cents worth
without spending a dime.” Deathridge said suggestions can be emailed to info@apptheatre.org
between now and August 12, 2022, when the theatre staff will make and announce the final
programming decisions.
Board Chair Keith Martin, who also teaches musical theatre history at Appalachian State
University, said, “This effort reminds me of an old Thomas ‘Fats’ Waller tune from 1935, just a
few years before the theatre first opened. The refrain of the song, with lyrics by Andry Razaf, are
as follows: ‘Find out what they like and how they like it, then let ‘em have it just that way!’
“It’s so easy to tell us your programming suggestions, whether for films, concerts, or other
performing arts events,” continued Martin. “Simply send an email to info@apptheatre.org and
we’ll factor your opinions into our selection process. Personally, there are a few dozen favorites
on my wish-list, films that should only be viewed, as originally intended, on a large movie screen.
I imagine that others may have similar ideas. Please send them to us!”
Deathridge added, “We greatly value the input of our patrons and audience members, all of
whom receive advance notice of our programming decisions through our weekly e-blast
messages to supporters who sign up on our website.”
Both Martin and Deathridge cited the mission of the Appalachian Theatre of the High Country,
which is “to revitalize and sustain this historic community touchstone as a quality home for
diverse artists and audiences with a special focus on programs that celebrate our distinctive
Appalachian heritage and enhance our capacity to serve as an economic catalyst for Boone and
the High Country.”
Once a gorgeous 999-seat Art Deco movie house, the building closed in 2007 and sat empty
and gutted for years. On October 14, 2019, the Appalachian Theatre re-opened its doors after a
$10 million renovation that brought the distinctive Art Deco details back to this historic theatre
and created a new 629-seat, state-of-the-art, acoustically pristine venue for live concerts, films,
plays, and dance performances. The historic Appalachian Theatre has entertained regional
audiences in the heart of downtown Boone, North Carolina since 1938.
For more information, or to sign up for the e-blast distribution list, visit the organization’s website
at www.apptheatre.org
