Atlanta's Plaza Theatre May Soon Be R.I.P.

The Plaza Theatre, a fundamental Atlanta landmark was given a second chance at life through the valiant efforts of hipster cineastes Jonathan and Gayle Rej. Its tacky floors, beckoning neon marquee and cavernous, slightly spooky ground floor auditorium invest the act of movie going with romance, mystery and a fair amount of necessary seediness, reminding us of a time when films were equal parts glamour and vice. I hope some deep-pocket film lover or institution will recognize the Plaza's value and give it a new lease on life.—Felicia Feaster

Midtown’s Plaza Theatre Seeks New Owners as 35mm Film Dies.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Nov. 15, 2011
Contact: Jonathan Rej, jonny@plazaatlanta.com

For many years, Atlanta’s legendary Plaza Theatre has been a cornerstone of the local arts community, and Jonathan and Gayle Rej, the owners since August 2006, have maintained the theatre as a hub for local film buffs.

In June 2009 they established The Plaza Theatre Foundation, a 501(c)3 organization, with the intent of getting the Plaza to the next level as a destination theatre for a wider audience and to provide Atlanta a unique and classic film-going experience for years to come.

Despite their stellar idealism, economic realities have finally caught up with the Plaza.

Day-today operations of an independently owned cinema are rife with challenges, but the death of 35mm film in the very near future is one hurdle they cannot overcome. With film studios such as Warner Brothers and Twentieth Century Fox no longer booking 35mm repertory film prints and already destroying their film libraries, soon there literally won’t be film to run through the Plaza’s projectors. The Regal Tara Cinema has already converted to completely digital, the Landmark will follow shortly and the Plaza simply does not have the monetary funds to convert.

Therefore, the Rejs are seeking a party or parties: a college, museum, TV network, historical society or another entity, to take over the Plaza Theatre and make the necessary investments to maintain Atlanta’s oldest cinema…to keep its doors open, the movies rolling and the popcorn popping. They believe that the broad diversity and size of the Atlanta metro area population should be more than sufficient to support a theatre that offers a rich mix of programming and would hope to see a prominent Atlanta organization step up and save this landmark.

As an independent movie theatre, the Plaza has been able to think outside of the multiplex box and give audiences rare and amazing opportunities including:

• Spotlighting indie films that typically don’t play in Atlanta’s chain theaters
• Providing local and student filmmakers a unique opportunity to showcase their films
• Showing classic movies projected via 35mm film on the big screen
• Offering interactive elements like celebrity speakers
• Featuring art exhibits and live performances to enhance the cinematic experience

It is hoped that with cosmetic improvements, digital upgrades and well-planned scheduling of films and activities, the theatre can continue to engage audiences, grow in popularity and continue to remain Atlanta’s oldest cinema.

About the Plaza Theatre: Designed by architect George Harwell Bond, the Plaza Theatre opened in 1939 as a 1000-seat Art Deco cinema and live theatre. In the ‘70s, the cinema operated as an X-rated adult cinema and live burlesque theatre. In 1983, George Lefont purchased and renovated the Plaza and the balcony was enclosed to create a second screen.

The theatre was renovated again when purchased by longtime Atlanta residents Jonathan and Gayle Rej in August 2006. They have focused on presenting indie or other non-mainstream films, and occasional event-centered movies with interactive elements, such as Splatter Cinema, the Silver Scream Spookshow, The Rocky Horror Picture Show, The Room, Taboo La La, and Art Opening and a Movie.

The theatre currently has two screens. The large downstairs auditorium, with beautiful gold curtains, Heywood Wakefield rockers, and original sconces, seats 375. It features a stage, spotlight, and backstage dressing area. The upstairs theatre is more intimate with fixed seating and blue linen curtains. It seats 175. The restored marquee welcomes visitors into the lobby that features a wall of classic film posters, with an ever-changing art gallery, and classic video games.

The Plaza Theatre is the last cinema of its kind in Atlanta as well as the oldest continuously operating cinema in the city.

For further information, contact the Jonathan Rej: jonny@plazaatlanta.com

The Plaza Theatre 1049 Ponce De Leon Avenue NE Atlanta, GA 30306-4219 404-873-1939 www.plazaatlanta.com
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