The New York Institute of Technology’s auditorium on Broadway between 61st and 62nd was completely destroyed in Monday’s flood, and it now looks like it will take at least a year to rebuild, the school tells us. The 260-seat theater is inside a rented space, so isn’t impacted by the school’s plans to sell other buildings on Broadway. “We have entered into a contract for the sale of our properties at 1849 and 1855 Broadway with a closing date in late 2021,” the school tells us.
New Plaza Cinema, a group that has been showing independent films at NYIT for the past few months, will relocate its second annual gala screening to Symphony Space, a group leader tells us.
The event takes place on Sunday, January 26th at 6:30 pm at the Auditorium at the Peter Jay Sharp Theatre at Symphony Space, 2537 Broadway (at 95th Street). The group also says it will soon have an update on its longer-term plans for screenings. Here’s more from them:
Following the screening will be a Q&A led by Sara Lukinson, three time Emmy award-winning writer and documentary filmmaker lauded for the biographical films of artists and creative people she made while working for 30 years at the Kennedy Center. She teaches Italian Cinema at NYU, including a class called “Cinema Paradiso: A Cinematic Journey Through Italy.” The Q&A will be followed with a wine, cheese and dessert reception. The ticket cost is $30.
For those who pay $100 or more for their ticket, there will be a special pre-film champagne and light sandwich celebration at 5:30 pm to toast New Plaza’s second anniversary and pay tribute to forerunner Lincoln Plaza. Guests will be treated to remarks by Toby Talbot, who formerly operated Lincoln Plaza Cinemas with her husband Dan for more than thirty years, as well as Father Marc Vicari, who will speak about the small town in Italy where Cinema Paradiso was filmed.
Tickets can be purchased at www.newplazacinema.com
What film is to be screened?
Cinema Paradiso will be screened.
There are four screens in the theaters at Lincoln Cemter, and they are empty half the time.
Can’t New Plaza team with them?
Our best congratulations to Sarà Lukinson! Mario and Chicchi DaiPra
Whatever happened to the large theater
that was in the basement of the Gulf & Western Building (now Trump Hotel) at Collumbus Circle?
Why can’t this film group or a real exhibitor interested in independent and quality foreign film fare open at the former Metro Cinema space at Broadway and 99th. It’s been vacant since 2006! That should tell you something about greedy landlords and multiplex movie chains that care only about selling popcorn and an ever-increasing menu of food and drinks.