The Bay Theatre Will Open This Summer

The Bay Community Theatre board members determined The Bay in Suttons Bay will reopen this summer, likely sometime in July, with a plan to show classic summer films.

Board member Larry Domine tells the Leelanau Ticker, “imagine the movies that instantly make you think of summer fun. We are exploring the classic summer films that are worth seeing on the big screen.”

This approach to programming is due to the fact that “there are no movies being released right now. Studios and distributors moved them out to next year or out to fall,” says Domine. “So, we will only show those already out on streaming.” Because of that, tickets will be at a lower price point, to be determined.

He explains that board members met Monday night and after reviewing the results of a “taking the pulse” survey of community members, the overwhelming response was that people want to come to the theatre this summer.

Domine expects even without securing new releases, “it will take about a month before we can schedule our first film. It is tightly controlled by the studio, requiring a process of negotiations.”

Other logistics to work through now: rallying volunteers “who are comfortable to come back,” installing a new POS system, and determining operational protocols for things like concessions. “We are taking a cautious approach,” says Domine. Social distancing and masks will be required in the theater; no more than 50 people will be allowed per showing; and staff will create seating in singles, pairs and family groups.

“We are a small-town, one-screen theater with a large supporting community. That is what makes it work,” he says.

“Our mission is to serve the community through cinema arts and we are committed to reopen even with some financial concerns regarding this: we have been closed for a few months, we are not able to charge normal pricing and are limited to only 50 people per showing.” (By contrast, last summer the theater had five total sold-out houses and served well over 100 filmgoers a day during the summer months.) “The community has responded and said they will do their part. We will be needing it — through donations and other ways to keep this community theater alive.”