Neighborhood fixture The Logan Theatre (2646 N. Milwaukee Ave.), closed since September of 2020, will reopen, with films showing starting Friday, May 21.
After closing due to the COVID-19 pandemic in March of 2020, the theater reopened briefly, with enhanced safety measures, at the end of last August. It closed again a few weeks later because of a lack of new films.
Going through the initial shutdown, the reopening and the second shutdown, all amid a pandemic, wasn’t easy, Logan Theatre team members said. “I think, like the rest of the world, we had a mixture of emotions — grief, sadness, fear,” said Jennifer Zacarias, director of marketing and events at the theater. “But the main focus from the start was keeping everyone safe and doing our part for not only our staff, but [also for] community.”
While the theater’s doors may have been closed, its social media was up and running, selling bags of popcorn and promoting causes and events around Logan Square. The theater also lent its marquee to a neighborhood groom-to-be looking to pop the question during the pandemic.
Now, not only is the theatre reopening, but it’s also hiring for part-time positions, including concessions workers and ushers. With summer almost here, the theater will be ramping up, getting ready for the crowds who’ve been aching to see movies on the big screen again (though, still at limited capacity as the theater follows safety protocols). Presales are open now, and tickets come with a free small popcorn. The lineup of upcoming featured movies is:
• Raya and The Last Dragon (PG)
• Demon Slayer: Mugen Train (R)
• Godzilla vs. Kong (PG-13)
• Army of the Dead (R)
The theater also looks forward to bringing back community events, like open mic and movie trivia nights. Check out the venue’s calendar for more info.
In the neighborhood since 1915, Logan Theatre was originally known as the Paramount Theatre. In 1922, it become The Logan Theatre, when the Vaselopolis family took over the cinema house. Logan Theatre remained with the family until they sold it in 2011.
In reopening again, the theater will still follow its extensive reopening safety protocols, participating in the CinemaSafe alliance. That program promotes “procedures and guidelines developed and supported by leading epidemiologists to support a safe return to movie theaters.”
The staff and management of Logan Theatre said they have received plentiful well wishes from the locals. “Thank you for all the support and kind words,” said Zacarias. “The outreach our neighbors and guests provided was amazing and encouraging. We have missed you and can’t wait to see your faces, even though masked, once again.”
Photos: @erikisland
Graphic image courtesy of Logan Theatre
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