11/29/2013
Good evening and Happy Thanksgiving,
It is getting nearly impossible to find 35mm prints. The entire movie industry is switching to an inferior digital presentation method all in the name of cost savings. The major motion picture companies are now charging outrageous flat rate fees just so we have the privilege of making them money. This is in an effort to force the last of us into digital cinema. We have spent every last dime trying to keep the theater going through this current economic disaster. Digital equipment would cost us at least $50,000.00 to install; and frankly we do not have it. We have tried to secure a loan from many institutions but the numbers just never worked out.
It is with a heavy heart and great trepidation that I must tell you it is time to close our beloved theater. You, our loyal customers, have been wonderfully supportive over the years. I have had the opportunity to meet some of the greatest people during this adventure. I have the best crew of employees anyone could ever ask for. I could never have gotten this far without all of them. I love you guys like family and I hope we stay close! I have made a pile of great friends and will always consider Shawano my home away from home. Heck, I met the best girl EVER right here at the Crescent, and together we have created a great marriage and a wonderful family. Believe me when I tell you that this dream died hard and with great financial and emotional consequence to me and my family. I am tired, worn out, and just plain beaten down by the struggle to keep this little independent theater going.
With that said, this weekend will be the end of our cinematic, 17-year adventure. We do have a few special events scheduled in December that we WILL be honoring but Friday, Saturday and Sunday will be our last regular movie showings. Please join us even if you have seen this movie. (It would be great to "pack the house" one last time!) The current movie, "Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2" is rated PG and is filled with laughs! The response to this film has been great so we have decided to hold it over as our last feature during the end of the Thanksgiving break. Check out the trailer and get to all the important info regarding this film at www.pitchershow.com.
Friday 11/29 1:30 & 7:00 pm
Saturday 11/30 1:30 & 7:00 pm
Sunday 12/1 1:30 & 7:00 pm
Thank you so much for being our customers, vendors, employees and friends over the years. It has been an honor to serve you and I will miss you all dearly.
And good night and good bye to my awesome "Bell Tower". I love this old building like a person. I hope someone will love the Crescent theater like I do and resurrect her better than I could. I am so sorry I can't be there for her 100th birthday next year.
We love you all and thank you from the bottom of our hearts.
Looking forward,
Paul & Amanda Routhieaux
What a long strange trip it's been!
