By Jason Gabak
Soon Manlius Art Cinema will celebrate 102 years since its doors opened.
After being closed throughout the quarantine due to the coronavirus, Nat Tobin was happy to celebrate when it was announced, that with guidelines in place, theaters could reopen.
The historic theater reopened after a long absence on Oct. 23 with “Cinema Paradiso,” a favorite among cinema enthusiasts. Tobin said the long closure was difficult, but throughout the past several months, he was encouraged by the support he saw from the community.
“People have been very supportive,” Tobin said. “They have let us know that they have missed coming to the theater and we have missed them.’
All the time being closed was nerve wracking, but as he fo9llowed along with all that was taking place and all the guidelines that were coming out for other businesses to reopen, he said it gave him time to prepare and be ready when the day finally came.
Maximum occupancy is less than 50 people and Tobin said seats have been cordoned off so that there is ample distance to meet the required six feet apart in any direction from where a viewer is seated. In addition plexiglass has also been installed in the box office and concession area to provide protection between theater goers and staff.
Tobin said these measures are intensive and include additional steps such as disinfecting seats between showings as well as cleaning and disinfecting the restrooms regularly.
Air filters have also been installed.
Though right now he said he understands some people may not feel comfortable including members of his staff,, Tobin said every measure has been and will continue to be taken to ensure the health and safety of those who come to the theater.
“We hope this will make people feel more comfortable about coming back to the theater,” Tobin said.
Tobin has been staying abreast of the research being done around the coronavirus and how it spreads and he said according to what he has read, theaters are fairly safe spaces.
Tobin said with audience members all facing in the same direction this may be a factor in limiting the potential for the virus to spread, as opposed to when people are facing one another.
Tobin said an industry study concluded that there have been no virus transmissions related to movie theatres since the pandemic started.
“A story I saw on CNN said theaters were safer than restaurants because everyone is facing the same direction,” Tobin said.
With all of these measures put in place, Tobin is hopeful that in the weeks ahead the theater will see audiences come back. After years of working in the theater, Tobin said from his experience, cinema is a very social experience.
Not necessarily in the sense of talking to other audience members, but in the sense of sharing in the moments and feeling on the screen together.
“It is a social experience,” Tobin said. “When you are in the4 a theater with other people the comedies are funnier and the dramas feel sadder. It is about that social experience and I think that is something people miss about going to the theater.”
After more than a century in business Tobin said the theater has played host not only to movies, but to a number of live performances through the years and with so much in flux this year, Tobin is considering options to show broadcasts of performances of things like the Nutcracker to help give a feeling of the holidays. The theater also plans to show some films that were missed while things were shutdown.
Most recently “Jo-Jo Roabbit” was screened and “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood” followed.
Tobin said “Ammonite” a film starring Kate Winslet and Saoirse Ronan is expected to screen starting Nov. 13.
“We are looking forward to welcoming our theatre family back, catching up and bringing the kind of films you want to see. It is exciting and daunting at the same time,” was a message the theater shared on its Facebook page.
Like other businesses, these past few months have presented challenges and looking ahead, Tobin said there will continue to be challenges as the theater navigates this new normal.
But he said the theater relies on its customers and he hopes that viewers will continue to show their support.
“We just want to welcome people back and want them to feel safe and enjoy themselves,” Tobin said.
If you go
Masks will be required in the lobby and auditorium unless consuming concessions.
All tickets will be priced at $10. The theater also offers a $30 package which includes two tickets, two drinks and a small popcorn.
For more information visit facebook.com/Manlius-Art-Cinema.
