May 24, 2013 - 11:45am
The Townie: Choose your theater wisely
BY JAMIE FORGACS
Though Quality 16 is the hot spot for nightly crowds of moviegoers, there’s a better place to catch a flick in downtown Ann Arbor — two places, in fact. If you want to see a movie, check if it’s playing at the Michigan or State Theaters first — your experience will be vastly different from the usual cinematic venture. These theaters are conveniently situated near the Diag (on East Liberty Street/South State Street), each with a special atmosphere and selection of movies, film festivals and performances to please the diverse Ann Arbor area.
The Michigan Theater stands on East Liberty Street with its restored marquee announcing upcoming movie showings and bright lights illuminating the street in the evening. It’s impossible to pass by without admiring the recreated classic ticket booth, glancing over the various encased posters and considering staying for one of the listed show times. Yet the external appearance of the historic Michigan Theater isn’t a ploy to draw you into a mediocre interior — the inside has also been restored to its former glory. With all the rich carpeting, shiny wood, sparkling chandeliers and a huge double staircase that sweeps up to a balcony, you feel like you’re attending an important event — which you might be — rather than catching a movie on a Friday night.
That’s just walking past the ticket booth and into the lobby. To the left as you enter is a concessions counter — you need to try the buttered popcorn — and then the doors to the historic auditorium. Rows upon beautiful rows of cushioned creaky theater seats march down an incline to the stage (after all, this is a true theater — it shows more than simply movies) and if you glance to the left side of the stage, there’s a peculiar structure. Oh, yes, the Michigan Theater has an organ and an organist who performs at every evening showing Thursday through Monday. In case you still don’t believe me, the organ rises up during the performance.
I could continue exalting the beauty of the Michigan Theater’s Historic Auditorium — which dates back to the era of silent films when the 1927 organ was needed to play accompaniment — or tell you that while the surroundings are a roaring ‘20s throwback, the technology is current, or remind you that you have to try the buttered popcorn — but I won’t, because there’s another part to mention: the Screening Room. The Screening Room pays tribute to area movie theaters that don’t exist anymore while serving as a movie-only room. It allows the Michigan Theater to hold more showings of a greater variety (for example, I’ve been back there to view a Korean film, "Nameless Gangsters," hosted by the Nam Center).
The State Theater was built later, in 1942, yet claims just as much interesting history as the Michigan Theater. Don’t be confused when you’re running late to catch your movie. The State Theater’s unobtrusive entrance is located beside Urban Outfitters, but the marquee is over the clothing store because it was once part of the theater. Purchasing your ticket and climbing the narrow stairs might not be as grand as the Michigan Theater, but it compensates with the atmosphere of the waiting area.
The lobby feels expansive. It has a concession counter, couches, chairs and is reminiscent of bygone eras. Frames with pictures, posters, news articles and more decorate the walls, and the same rich carpeting found in the Michigan Theater covers the floor. Step inside to take your seat and you’ll notice something interesting. The floor directly in front of the screen is blocked off by rails, and it bulges up due to the conversion of the lower part of the theater into commercial retail space. Other movie-goers might prefer normal floors and standard theaters, but I think that this distinguishing characteristic adds to the overall appeal of going to a movie at the State Theater.
Quality 16 may be great for huge crowds on opening night, but if you want to be entertained not only by a film or performance, but also a unique and exciting ambience, get out and go downtown to the Michigan and State Theaters.
How to get out and go: Start at the Diag. Take S. State Street down towards E. Liberty, where Potbelly’s is on the one corner and Starbucks on the other. The State Theater’s marquee will be looming above you on your right; the doors are just to the right of Urban Outfitters’ entrance. If you’d rather check out the Michigan Theater, simply turn left onto Liberty and you can’t miss the huge marquee on the right side of the street.
Address, Phone, and Tickets: Michigan - 603 East Liberty Street, Ann Arbor MI 48104; (734) 668-8397; State - 233 South State St. Ann Arbor, MI 48104; (734) 761-8667;
Adult: $10.00
Students, Seniors, Kids: $8.00
All shows before 6 PM: $7.00
Midnight Movies: $7.00
Michigan Theater Members: $7.50
