NORWICH – Local movie goers need worry no more about the fate of their favorite theater. The Colonia Theater at 35 South Broad St. in Norwich will reopen tonight.
The unexpected message that the business would be closed for two weeks first appeared on the theater’s marquee the first week in October. The Oct. 17 reopening date was a then pushed back to today, causing even greater concern in the community.
Owner Michael Morse and his staff are gearing up for the re-opening. Slated to appear on the historic theater’s big screens are “High School Musical 3” and “The Express.”
Morse, who has owned the theater for 14 years, said his decision to get involved with the business was prompted by walks he and his wife use to take each night.
“One night I noticed that the marquee was falling off the building,” said Morse, who also runs his own contracting business, M J Morse Building. He and his then-business partner James Cushman purchased the theater two weeks later from the previous owner, Pete Groshell.
Morse shored up the marquee, and did much of the required renovations to the building himself. He never expected to take on the responsibilities of the business’ daily operations, he said, and he certainly didn’t expect to still be doing it 14 years later.
“It was fun,” said Morse. “It was something different.”
He has taken the theater’s role in the community very seriously. “It has always been a safe place for our kids to come,” said Morse. One of his policies has long been that the manager doesn’t leave until all of the kids are picked up from out front. “I’ve been here until 2 o’clock in the morning,” he reported.
But running both business has taken its toll and the owner admits that he’s lost some of his passion.
“The theater needs new life,” said Morse. “It needs some new ideas.” After nearly a decade and a half, the contractor isn’t sure that he’s the one that can make it happen. In fact, that is part of what prompted him to close the theater for a few weeks.
“I wanted to level things out,” Morse explained. He said he had been talking for a long time about trying to find a buyer for the theater. Taking the break allowed him to start pursuing that option.
“I want to see someone keep it here,” said Morse. “It would leave a hole in downtown.” The original theater opened at that location in 1914, with the marquee being added in 1917.
Morse reported that he is in discussion with more than one family about a possible change of ownership. The theater owner thinks change would be good.
“It needs a breath of fresh air,” Morse said. He admits that there are opportunities to be had with the business that he has not pursued.
“The theater needs better sound, new seats,” said Morse. But he said that at the moment he can’t financially justify those improvements in the small theater.
If he can’t find a buyer, Morse said, he will look at other options. He has already spoken to Maureen Carpenter, Executive Director of the Chenango County Area Corporation, about funding opportunities.
Morse said he chose tonight’s reopening carefully, to coincide with the opening of the third installment of Disney’s High School Musical series, which he knows will be a big draw. In it, America’s favorite high school students return for their senior year. The Disney movie opens in theaters nationwide today.
Also showing will be “The Express.” The movie, which stars Dennis Quaid and Rob Brown, tells the true-life story of Ernie Davis, the Syracuse football star who was the first African-American to win the Heisman Trophy. Morse said he had a lot of requests for the movie, which opened in theaters on Oct. 10.
Ticket prices are $6.50 for adults and $5 for children and matinees. Regular show times are 7 p.m. Thursdays through Sundays with late shows at 9 p.m. on Friday and Saturdays and weekend matinees at 1 p.m..
To make a movie request or check show times, contact the theater at 334-2135.