After months of closure, Albany's Madison Theatre is reopening its doors today. The grand reopening will be marked by live music, with film screenings set to begin tomorrow with the release of "Wicked". The Box Office Restaurant and the theatre's bar will also be open for the grand reopening event, according to Times Union.
The Madison Theatre, located in the Pine Hills neighborhood, has been a landmark in Albany for years. The theatre, which has four screens, one of which can double as a 125-seat performance venue, will be operated by David Aumand, a resident of Albany’s Helderberg neighborhood for over 30 years. Owusu Anane, Common Council representative of Albany’s 10th ward, will serve as an investor.
The theatre will screen new releases, indie and local releases, and will also host live events, performances, and karaoke. The Box Office Restaurant will continue to serve its usual fare of burgers, chicken fingers, and more. The former coffee shop space will be transformed into a beauty supply and gift shop run by Plall Kassam of Clifton Park.
The first film to be screened at the reopened theatre will be "Wicked", a blockbuster musical that traces the lives of Elphaba and Glinda in their college years at Shiz University. The film is an adaptation of the Broadway musical, which was based on the book “Wicked” penned by Albany native Gregory Maguire.
Tickets for "Wicked" can be purchased in-person at the box office. The film will run at 12 p.m., 3:45 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. from Friday to Sunday. Tickets are priced at $12, with discounts available for kids and seniors.