The movie theater will now be hosting 50-person screenings in its main auditorium.
As Chicago’s restrictions are eased and our favorite haunts and hideouts begin to reopen another beacon of hope is promising a gradual return to normality. This time, the light at the end of the tunnel is in the shape of a neon sign reading Music Box on Southport Avenue.
The neon letters of the historic movie theatre have long lured cinephiles from across Chicagoland to enjoy independent, foreign, cult, and classic films within its charming framework.
In a matter of days, the cherished movie theatre will be reopening its doors, firing up its projectors, and raising its red velvet curtains once again. From the evening of Friday, February 26, Music Box Theater on Southport Avenue will be operating at a limited capacity with screenings on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays.
The Lakeview movie theater will be playing new and classic films in both of its historic auditoriums. Its large auditorium will reduce its capacity from a 750 seated potential to only 50 people per screening while theatre 2, the smaller auditorium with 70 seats, will be screening films for only 15 people.
Theatre 2 will still be available for private rentals for any groups who wish to rent out the auditorium for themselves and enjoy a private screening among friends and family.
In any case, Music Box Theatre will operate with strict health and safety measures requiring that masks are worn at all times, enhanced cleaning procedures will take place between screenings, and social distancing will be ensured throughout the lobby and auditoriums.
Friday opens with a 7:30 pm showing of the Ivory Coast prison drama Night of the Kings in the main auditorium. The French-language film has been shortlisted for Best International Feature for the 2021 Academy Awards. The supernatural horror The Vigil will be screening in theatre 2 at 4:30 pm.
Tickets must be purchased online in advance via the Music Box Theatre website where all planned showings are listed.
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[Featured image from Musicboxtheatre.com]