ASHLAND — Ashland’s beloved theater on Center Street is finally set to open May 5 after years of renovation and anticipation.
The Ashland, formerly known as Schine’s Theatre, is set for a grand opening on May 5 with the showing of what’s expected to be one of the biggest blockbuster hits of 2023: “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 3.”
The film will start at 7 p.m., but only if your name is selected from a lottery system, said Ashland Mayor Matt Miller.
There are only 250 tickets available for the opening night’s showing. Those interested in putting their name in the hat can do so starting today. Access to the lottery will expire at 6 p.m. May 3, Miller said.
Tickets cost $8, plus a service charge.
Winning ticket holders will be notified electronically. Click here to access the lottery portal.
Miller, who happens to serve on the board of the Ashland Schine’s Theatre Organization, said he and other board members thought the lottery system was the “most fair way to distribute the tickets.”
He expects high demand.
“It will truly be part of our community’s history,” Miller said.
Refunds will be issued to those who are not selected to be part of the 7 p.m. showing on May 5.
The theater will then show the movie again on Saturday and Sunday (May 6 and 7) at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. each day. Tickets can be purchased at the door.
Ribbon cutting ceremony
May 5 will not happen without much fanfare happening before, Miller said.
“At 6 p.m., we’ll hold a ribbon cutting in front of the theater, under the marquee,” Miller said.
Miller hopes the ribbon cutting ceremony will provide the chance to recreate an iconic photo from the theater’s opening day in the 1940s. He said the picture shows a crowd of people gathered under the marquee.
He hopes more people will be in the frame on May 5.
“It will truly be history in the making,” Miller said.
The mayor said those who’d like to come to the ribbon cutting are not required to buy tickets — it’s a free, community-wide event.
A $4.3 million project
Those who enter the doors of the renovated Ashland will be greeted by $4.3 million worth of rehab.
“It’s a renovated relic from the past,” said Skinner. “It’s a beautiful movie theater and venue.”
The Ashland Schine’s Theatre Organization raised $4.3 million to renovate the 81 year-old theater since incorporating in 2015, six years following the theater’s shuttering.
The organization hired Simonson Construction Services to renovate the exterior and interior and the board hired Chris Skinner in August 2022 to serve as The Ashland’s first executive director.
Scott Donley, president of the Ashland Schine’s Theatre Organization, has said the theater will include three screens — two on the balcony and one on the main stage. The screens will be retractable, allowing for live performances.
Upcoming showings
Two other big blockbusters are scheduled to round out The Ashland in May, Skinner said.
Fast X, the tenth installment of the Fast & Furious franchise, is scheduled to hit The Ashland on May 19. That will be followed by Rob Marshall’s live-action reimagining of the Oscar-winning animated musical classic, The Little Mermaid.
How often will movies be playing at the theater ?