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Regal Cinema Throws a Party |
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by Dan Veaner
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Friday, 20 July 2007 |
The enormous lobby was filled with people who had entered on a red carpet, and the excitement level was high as Regal Cinemas threw a party last night at its new stadium seating multiplex. Waiters passed trays of food around, local wines were served, and a giant ticket carved of ice marked the table with the shrimp. The concessions counter was open as well for people who wanted popcorn. A quartet played in one corner, their sound filling the room.
After seven o'clock the opening ceremony began, hosted by WSTM NBC 3's Laura
Hand. Miss New York 2007 Elisabeth Baldanza was also on hand to help
with the ceremony and schmooze with the guests. Hand introduced
Regal's Vice President of Marketing Russ Nunley, who welcomed the
crowd. "I have the distinct honor to welcome you to our newest
theater," he said. "We take this opportunity to use the enthusiasm and
excitement of the grand opening to give back to the community."
Nunley was referring to the three charity days earlier this week when patrons could see a movie for a dollar, and pay only a dollar for popcorn or drinks. Monday was "Reading, Writing, and Regal day sponsored by the Ithaca Journal, which raised $8,000 for the Ithaca Lend-A-Hand organization. Tuesday was Cayuga Cinema Classics Day sponsored by Cayuga Radio Group. They raised $11,000 for the American Cancer Society. And Wednesday was Family Day at Regal, sponsored by WSTM-NBC, which raised $13,000 for the Ronald McDonald House. Giant checks were presented by Regal and the Sponsors to representatives of the three charities.
 Mayor Hartill receives glass ticket  Eric Goetzmann receives glass ticket
 Susan Johnston (left), Allison Knoth
"Regal has reinvented themselves through competition," Goetzmann said. "People can now come and see a great movie. For those of you who have never been in a stadium seating theater, it's an entirely different experience."
 (Left to right) Lansing Councilmen Matt Besemer, Bud Shattuck, Miss New York 2007 Elisabeth Baldanza, VIllage of Lansing Mayor Donald Hartill, Town of Lansing Supervisor Steve Farkas
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Instead of a ribbon cutting Regal opted for a ticket-tearing ceremony. Leaders of the construction team were tapped to tear the oversized tickets, as well as the Lansing theater's management team led by General Manager Warren Wells. As the crowd counted down they tore the tickets as red, white, and blue confetti rained from the ceiling. Then guests were treated to a showing of their choice of 'Surf's Up' or 'Hairspray.'
Regal Entertainment Group is the largest motion picture exhibitor in the world. The company operates 6,340 Regal, United Artists, and Edwards screens in 529 locations, covering 39 states and Washington, DC. The new 63,000 square foot movie complex seats 2,600 patrons in 14 stadium theaters.
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