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Marketplace There’s no business... Show business goes on for birthday at local theater
By Tricia Carzoli NEWS@THEWOODSTOCKINDEPENDENT.COM
Cinematic experiences are back in Woodstock … sort of.
When Katt Hansen discovered that what her husband, Dale, really wanted for his August birthday was to see a movie at the theater, she set to work trying to make it happen.
“We are writers and have an office on the Square,” Katt explained. “We drive by Classic Cinemas every day, and I just sent them a message on Facebook to see what would happen.”
What transpired allowed Dale – despite COVID-19 concerns – to see his own movie, “The Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Rings,” on a big screen with his wife – with her seeing it for the first time.
“The best part about this, was watching it with Katt,” Dale said. “It was the best gift to see her watching it for the first time and to see her watching the sweeping scope and striking cinematography. [I saw her] visceral reaction as the scenery unfolded and with the surround sound you can only hear at the theater.”
‘It was wonderful’
Classic Cinemas closed its theaters after the statewide shelter-in-place order was issued in late March. The Woodstock theater was among those that reopened in June to show classic 1980s movies to audiences at reduced capacity.
That experiment ended after two weeks, and company officials said reopening the theaters wouldn’t make sense until new film releases – delayed
COURTESY PHOTOS
Katt Hansen treated her husband, Dale, to a special movie showing for his birthday in August at Classic Cinemas in Woodstock. The theater, closed until new films are released, has found a secondary business during the closing: party rentals.
by the pandemic – were available, a date that remains unknown.
Katt worked with Sherrie Janovsky, director of operations for Classic Cinemas, to provide a safe viewing experience for 11 of the couple’s close friends and family.
The Hansens provided the Blue-Ray disc, and Classic Cinemas provided the space, the big screen, and the popcorn.
“It was wonderful,” Katt said. “I can’t say enough about the theater.”
She said the communication was easy, and their small group allowed for proper social distancing.
“We had some people in our group who were really isolating, and they felt completely comfortable there,” Katt explained. “The theater provided us with popcorn, and it was pre-popped and bagged so that there was no contact. The [general manager Andy Bach] wore a mask. We all felt very safe.”
Dale and Katt said they felt the pricing was reasonable, and they would be willing to rent the theater again.
New business
It was a win-win, as Janovsky said she has had others asking about
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Transactions filed in the McHenry Rewiako, Wonder Lake, to Zachary County Recorder’s Office July 29 . Dudzik, Woodstock for $224,000. ■ Residence at 711 Gerry St., Wood■ Vacant land, approximately 1 acre, stock, was sold by The Ronald J. Rogat 1240 E. Longwood Drive, Bull Valers Trust Agreement, Crystal Lake, ley, was sold by The Barbara Karth to Kristi L. Marino, Crystal Lake, for Trust, Woodstock, to David J. Win$195,000. sko Revocable Trust, Bull Valley, for ■ Residence at 8507 Castleberry $18,500. Drive, Woodstock, was sold by The ■ Residence at 725 Robert Drive, Christian V. Cantwell Revocable Trust, Woodstock, was sold by Richard A. Woodstock, to Justin A. Safford, Lake In The Hills, for $420,000. ■ Residence at 751 Pleasant St., Woodstock, was sold by The Mark S. St. John Revocable Trust, Algonquin, to Lauren E. Messer, for $197,000. ■ Residence at 146 Hill St., Woodstock, was sold by The Robert John Tures Trust and The Nancy Tures Trust, Harvard, to Lukasz Giza, Woodstock, for $195,000.
Dale Hansen celebrates his birthday with a special showing of a favorite movie with a small group of friends at Classic Cinema Theatre in Woodstock.
similar experiences. Since the Hansens’ event, Classic Cinemas Woodstock has put together packages tiered to accommodate recent inquiries spurred by Katt’s social media posts.
“If we have interested groups, we would try to accommodate [if the theaters are closed],” Janovsky said in light of the much-anticipated release of “Wonder Woman,” which would potentially fill theater slots.
She also said that she appreciated Katt contacting Classic Cinemas.
“It was so nice of her to do that – and to think of us during this [financially challenging] time,” Janovsky said. “Katt and Dale were easy to work with, and the extra income was very helpful.”
Rentals begin at $200 for facility rental and up to 20 persons without concessions, and $30 an adult/$15 a child for facility rental and concessions with a minimum of 10 guests.
For information about rentals, email Janovsky at yourinput@classiccinemas.com or call 630-786-4617.
