Lin-Manuel Miranda to Join the Iconic United Palace Theatre in Washington Heights to Screen Original ‘Mary Poppins’ on October 16
Launches Campaign ‘Reawaken Wonder at a Timeless Movie Palace’
Additional upcoming special film events at United Palace Theater include: Juan of the Dead, The Wizard of Oz and It’s a Wonderful Life
Lin-Manuel Miranda continues his longstanding support of movies at the United Palace in Washington Heights with a $100K donation for a new DCP projection system that will produce a Hollywood-quality image. He will debut the new projector on October 16 with a screening of the original Mary Poppins, which he will introduce. The classic 1964 Disney movie has been selected because later this year Lin-Manuel Miranda is temporarily relocating to London to begin shooting Mary Poppins Returns.
Audience members at the United Palace on October 16 will have an opportunity to say bon voyage to Miranda, to thank him for his support, and to join with him in helping the Palace launch Reawaken Wonder at a Timeless Movie Palace – a fundraising campaign to revitalize the classic movie-going experience. The goal is to raise an additional $300,000 to upgrade the United Palace audio system and complete the rebirth of the iconic movie theatre that originally opened in 1930 as the Loew’s 175th Street Theatre. In addition to the kick-off event with Lin-Manuel Miranda, there will be a series of activities at the United Palace during the fall and winter, as well as an Indiegogo crowd-sourcing effort to engage the community and complete the campaign.
A native New Yorker, Miranda’s personal experience dates back to memories growing up in the same neighborhood as the Palace. In 2013, he brought the five-year anniversary concert of the critically acclaimed “In the Heights” to the venue. He also played a more formal role as ‘volunteer host’ for a succession of movie “mash-ups” alongside the likes of Rita Moreno for “West Side Story” and John Landis to introduce “King Kong.”
“There is no other theatre like United Palace in New York City, or around the world, really. This theatre is special. It’s breathtaking. You don’t just come to sit and watch a movie here; you are transported. The full movie-going experience always leaves me mesmerized,” said Miranda during a recent photo shoot on the main stage. “As a Northern Manhattan native, local resident, and film lover, I am proud to continue to help revitalize this timeless movie palace.”
Before the movie there will be a champagne toast with Lin-Manuel for a limited number of people who donate at least $1,000 to the campaign. They will also be invited to a backstage after-party and receive other Palace-related perks.
When the Reawaken Wonder at a Timeless Movie Palace campaign concludes, United Palace will have a comprehensive sound upgrade installed and will celebrate with a blockbuster rescreening of 2001: A Space Odyssey, the last film screened in the United Palace in 1969 before the venue was purchased by Reverend Ike. The goal is to officially unveil the theatre upgrade in early 2017.
The remaining fall schedule of movies includes:
Zombie panel and Juan de los Muertos AKA Juan of the Dead on Sunday, October 30, 2016
The Wizard of Oz with Lou Lumenick and Tiffany Vazquez on Sunday, December 11, 2016
It's a Wonderful Life with Donna Reed's daughter Mary Owen on Sunday, December 18, 2016
About United Palace of Cultural Arts
The United Palace of Cultural Arts (UPCA) is an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2012 as an arts and cultural center at the United Palace, a transformational organization and venue that fuses culture, spirituality, and entertainment in Manhattan's 4th largest theatre. UPCA is dedicated to strengthening the mind and spirit through creative expression and play. As a community resource, we provide access and exposure to progressive programming, including cultural events, arts education, movie screenings and community space that empowers the individual to nurture the artist within and emboldens children, adults, and families through exploration and open exchange.
Tickets for the October 16 event are available at www.unitedpalacearts.org.
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