By Kathy L. Collins
This year, the Tampa Theatre’s beloved Summer Classics Movie Series features two sing-alongs, a silent film with live music, modern classics and post-show talks with community experts. “For more than 25 years, the community has flocked to Tampa Theatre on hot Sunday afternoons to enjoy Summer Classics as they were meant to be seen on the big screen, surrounded by friends, with a bag of fresh popcorn and a cold drink in hand,” said Jill Witecki of the Tampa Theatre.
This summer, treat yourself to a good film at a historic movie palace.
First up, the Tampa Theatre will offer two showings on Saturday, June 3 and Sunday, June 4 of the classic tale, Beauty and the Beast. While this is a “tale as old as time,” it is the score that everyone remembers so Tampa Theatre is offering these showings as a sing-along. You can follow the lyrics on the screen and belt out the songs along with everyone else.
Next, on Sunday, June 11 come see Debbie Reynold, Donald O’Connor, Jean Hagen and the immortal Gene Kelly in the 1952 classic, Singin’ In The Rain. See this grand classic as it was meant to be seen: on the big screen.
Come see the Coen Brothers’ Raising Arizona on Sunday, June 18. Nicholas Cage is a bumbling criminal who wants to go straight and start a family with his doting wife played by Holly Hunter.
Next, on Sunday, June 25, come see Dustin Hoffman in the 1967 film, The Graduate. Hoffman plays a college grad in the delicate shift from adolescence to adulthood. He is torn between his feelings for his girlfriend’s mother (played by Anne Bancroft as the now infamous Mrs. Robinson) and his fear of the future.
There will be Q&A sessions with USF film Professor, Harriet Deer, immediately following Singin’ In The Rain, Raising Arizona and The Graduate.
All films are shown at 3 p.m. Tickets are $10 for adults and $7 for Tampa Theatre members. Get tickets at the Tampa Theatre Box Office located at 711 N. Franklin St. in downtown Tampa or online at www.tampatheatre.org.
This is the first of a three-part series.
