On my way home last week, I drove past the Union County Performing Arts Center where a big crowd of middle-aged women congregated, waiting to see “Menopause: The Musical Out Loud.” It reminded me of the huge crowds that were at the arts center one weekend this summer for an Indian movie.
I drove by Friday night and the arts center was dark. The combination of a dormant arts center on a Friday night and the passing of Paul Newman in recent weeks got me thinking: why not screen a few of his classic films, the kind that almost have to be seen regardless of age or movie interests, like Cool Hand Luke and The Hustler. It’d be timely marketing and it would seem there might be some interest since his passing, not only from those who typically visit the arts center for the likes of Connie Francis, but also some “youngsters” who might be intrigued to see his early work and check out UCPAC.
Of course, with programming planned so far in advance (usually a year for live events), I figured it can’t be done too quickly, but I sent an email to arts center director Sandy Erwin anyway. She seemed enthused and talked about restarting a film series in January when their equipment is ready. Not as timely as in the weeks after Newman’s death, but you figure all the year-end magazines will remind people of his along with other celebrities’ passing in 2008.
I’ve seen classics like Citizen Kane and Easy Rider — so-called “important” films — at the arts center and it’s an enormously better opportunity than watching a DVD at home or catching an edited version on a Sunday afternoon on Channel 11. It hasn’t seemed to be a big draw at least judging by the attendance when I’ve been there for old movies. The arts center has offered double features and timely film weekends around Halloween and Christmas in the past. For an idea of what RR readers would like to see at the arts center, we did a completely unscientific poll back in January.
What do you think? Would you pay $5, $10, even $20 to catch a few Newman films at UCPAC? Hmm, I think the RR poll might make a return to the blog.
By the way, the arts center celebrates its 80th anniversary this month with its first annual gala. Meanwhile, another old-time theater reopens this month in Montclair with Counting Crows, so there’s more competition coming.
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The Art Center should never be dark on a Friday night. Your idea is great. I’m glad to hear they may reignite the film series. Let’s hope they are the kind to draw people out of their homes on a cold winter’s evening. What would be even nicer is if there were a few cozy little places nearby to have a cup of coffee and desert afterwards… *sigh*. Too much to ask?Oh, and another great option would be to have a kids weekend matinee once a month. Let’s see some of those oldies (or not so old) but goodies on the big screen so we can drop our dollars at the UCPAC instead of AMC or Blockbuster for a change (trying hard to avoid Beverly Hills Chihuahua this fall). Yet, grabbing a slice of pizza afterwards isn’t as tantalizing as sitting down for a bite to eat at a downtown kid-friendly restaurant…Entertainment and food: perfect together.
Back when the UCPAC was the UCAC, film series were a regular part of the facility’s seasonal lineup. Often old movie posters and promo materials were on display in the lobby. Seeing classic films on the big screen beats seeing them on HDTV.Good call on dropping a note to Ms. Erwin, Mark.
Bollywood films would bring much needed $$$ into downtown Rahway.
I’ve ranted here about this before. As CS said above, UCAC should never be dark on a Friday night. Whether it means being the local old-movie house, center for niche markets (e.g. Bollywood, etc. – great idea, BTW!), or anything else for that matter. Even if some events lose money, you build momentum and awareness. Instead, Rahway residents say to themselves, “I wonder what’s going on down at UCAC tonight? Oh yeah, nothing again.”Case in point: there are ten events scheduled at UCAC through the end of the year (13 weeks). Count Basie in Red Bank has 11 scheduled in November alone, some with multiple dates. Rahway needs a magnet- something to draw people there, so they can see what else the town has to offer. UCAC has the potential to be that magnet. But it is only turned on very rarely.
It would be a great idea but I have to say in the past I was disappointed going to the old theater for a movie. Years ago the screen was gigantic, that’s what I would pay $10 for.
Film series is good idea. Counting Crows is a great idea. The Arts center dark is a bad idea. Focusing more on good ideas and great ideas instead of bad ideas is a good start. Not difficult Rahway decision makers, whoever you are.
FYI – Wells Fargo, the preferred lender of the Skyview building, has recently put the building on its ‘do not lend list’ because Fannie Mae decided it is no longer supporting condo/hotel mortgages. I heard Silcon is scrambling to get this reversed but so far no luck. This is pretty devasting news to the building and condo owners. I don’t know how they are going to be able to sell them in the future if no one can get a mortgage for it. Pretty crazy. As far the building, I think Silcon is planning on turning the remaining unsold units into rentals. You guys hear anything else on this?
Ah the old days at the movies in rahway. yes they should have old movies playing every night. some old classics,stalag 17,bridge over river kawi on the big screen again. grand prix and the blue max,those were awsum on the big screen and many,many more would be so cool. even throw in a few porno’s,lol. i know they have a few old movie nights but they should have way more of them. to bag higgens is not across the street to have a few before the show,lol. anybody remember the old german lady that use to throw ya out for smoking or talking,lol. god bless her soul ;). yes please bring back some more old movies to the big screen. forget the organist,lol,to corney.
Hello, Newman….Oh, Paul Newman, not Wayne Knight’s antagonistic letter carrier. Although a Seinfeld-like comedy in Skyview would be funny, featuring the follies of four residents who closed on their units before Wells Fargo took the money jar away.Classic movies shown in a classic setting is a good idea. I would be happy with a quirky alternative to the megaplexes and their parking lots filled with pimped-out Hondas. It seems there is potential among the middle-aged woman demographic, now if only the yuppies would come.
Using the UPAC for films is a great idea, whether it be Bollywood, classic films, indie films, or just a combination of different genres on different evenings.It’s a great way to make use of the Arts Center, and I imagine that showing films is a much easier (and cheaper) operation than always trying to do live performances. Plus, it’s the type of thing that people can decide to attend on the spur-of-the-moment, for a reasonable price.Sure, the UPAC can keep the other events if there’s a crowd for that, but it’s clear there are many nights when Inglebert Humperdink is not in the house, and the UPAC could be put to use.
it’s hard not to admire Paul Newman for putting his money to work in such productive ways
Anon, 12:20 AM, My understanding is that if Silcon wanted to convert units into rentals, their redevelopment agreement would have to be amended, which would have to come before the Redevelopment Agency in the form of a resolution. I haven’t seen anything in the past nor have I heard of any plans to vote on a resolution such as that.
It is embarrassing really – the lineup this fall alone at the Wellmont Theatre in Montclair is great! And it seems like it will appeal to a variety of audiences. It is difficult to understand why Rahway can’t attract similar acts…