Dietrich Theater

At The Dietrich

by
Hildy Morgan

So, I was sitting here in my dining room this morning, eating my Fruit Loops (don’t panic, anyone, I don’t always have Fruit Loops, sometimes I have Cocoa Puffs) and watching the birds flying about the feeder, and I have no idea why, but it occurred to me that we old broads of the Dietrich have been doing this for fifteen years. Yeah. Fifteen! I look back and think all the things that have changed in that time. In 1998, September 11 hadn’t happened – that would happen three years into the future.   One of us had cancer, one lost her child, we had all kinds of tragedies and so many happy moments. We expanded the theater and then almost lost it all in a terrible, vicious flood. And yet we are one of the few small town theaters in the country still chugging along. The Dietrich, so full of fine memories, continues to thrive and the town with it. 

We have gone from believing that when we opened  (after three years of struggle) we would, and I quote, “find someone who knew how to run a movie theater.” Oh, yeah. There was a catch to that. They would expect to be paid. So, we learned how to run a movie theater. Then it became obvious that two screens would put us in the dust bin of history if we didn’t expand to at least four screens. So, we did. We thought that would give us a more solid footing than most arts organizations ever have. And, probably more than anything else, we are an arts organization, thanks to the incredible Erica and Margie. They built an astonishingly fine cultural program with classes and concerts and lectures and, really, more than, fifteen years ago, we could ever have imagined! And then Jennifer Jenkins joined us and brought her extensive knowledge of and love for live theater to us and we now have a major production once a year that packs the house, the quality is so superb!
 We have worked very, very hard and we have been helped by your generosity and your kindness to us time and time again. And every year we finish the year in the black. Not a lot in the black, mind you, but still, in the black. No small accomplishment. When you think of the fact that the Met in New York has to fundraise, that Lincoln Center has to fundraise, that the great museums have to fundraise, then you come to understand that choosing to entwine one’s life with those who see the world best represented by plays and paintings, by music and dance, is a risky business.

Still, for so many of us, life without the arts (whether it be live theater or the thrill of the cinema)would be no life at all. And years ago, we old ladies  fell head over heels in love with the Dietrich, and you know, once you’re in love logic flies out the window. The again, this has not been unrequited. We have received more from this grand old girl than we ever put in. We all feel that way!
So why am I telling you all this? Because we need to do a little fundraising again. Sigh. Honestly, it’s not something we ever like to do, but we have to. The collapse of the economy around the time that we were trying to finish our expansion fundraising hurt us badly. The flood hurt more (and, no, flood insurance would not have helped us in any major way) and then, as if to add insult to injury, the movie companies decided that by the end of this coming year all screens had to be converted to digital or else. The or else being that you couldn’t get any more movies. Nice, hmmmm? 
We managed to convert two theaters, but the final conversion of the Murray and the Evans will be around $100,000.00. We need a little help from our friends. We have 87 seats for sale that would help us. Memberships would help us. Of course, a great big fat old donation would be wonderful. But instead of that, what if five hundred of you out there (in a county of nearly 30,000) just pledged , say, $10.00 a month for the next three years. Or twenty. Or a thousand people did the same? We could do the conversion and pay off a good deal of the debt that makes life so difficult. It’s just a thought.

But, really, ten dollars a month from enough people would give us a new lease on life. Would you think about it? Of course, more would be very welcome, but 500 or 1,000 people just giving us a bit would assure the theater is sustained far into the future. Talk to your friends and family. See if you could give us “old broads” a helping hand. (And the young ones, too.)

See you at the Dietrich!

Now Showing

www.dietrichtheater.com/movie
or (570)836-1022 for times

IDENTITY THIEF
February 8, 2013 -
February 28, 2013

WARM BODIES
February 1, 2013 -
February 14, 2013

DJANGO UNCHAINED
February 1, 2013 -
February 13, 2013

SILVER LININGS PLAYBOOK
January 24, 2013 -
February 13, 2013


Coming Soon

www.dietrichtheater.com/preview
or (570)836-1022 for times


Events

www.dietrichtheater.com/event
or (570)996-1500 to reserve

Wyoming County Reads - Ragtime
March 6, 2013 - March 6, 2013

February - Dance Films & Lessons
February 10, 2013 - February 24, 2013

Open Mic Night - February 22
February 22, 2013

Under the Big Top
February 23, 2013

Dietrich Theater Auditions
March 2, 2013 - March 3, 2013

The Power of Story
March 10, 2013

Open Mic Night - March 22
March 22, 2013

Reptiles and Amphibians of Northeastern PA
March 23, 2013

Spring 2013 Film Festival
April 5, 2013

Philadelphia Bus Trip to the Barnes
April 11, 2013

Tom Knight Puppet Show
April 17, 2013

Auntie Mame - Live Theatre!
April 24, 2013 - April 28, 2013


Classes

www.dietrichtheater.com/class
or (570)996-1500 to enroll

After School Theatre Arts
February 23, 2013

All About Pottery & Sculpture, ages 5- 8
February 8, 2013 - March 1, 2013

All About Pottery & Sculpture, ages 9 -12
February 6, 2013 - February 27, 2013

Creative Characters From Paper to Puppets
April 9, 2013 - May 7, 2013

Little People & Nature - Tuesdays
March 5, 2013 - March 26, 2013

Little People & Nature - Wednesdays
March 6, 2013 - March 27, 2013

Mixed Media, ages 5 - 8 - March 2013
March 8, 2013 - March 29, 2013

Mixed Media, ages 9-12 - March 2013
March 6, 2013 - March 27, 2013

Movement & Storytelling for Preschoolers
February 6, 2013 - April 24, 2013

Preschool Mixed Media
March 7, 2013

Preschool Pottery & Sculpture
February 7, 2013 - February 28, 2013

Quilting for Kids
January 9, 2013 - March 27, 2013

Writing Your Hat Off: Creative Writing for Kids
March 5, 2013 - March 26, 2013

Quilting for Everyone
January 9, 2013 - March 27, 2013

Decorative Painting
January 16, 2013 - March 27, 2013

Design a Painted Silk Scarf
March 18, 2013

Eating for Health
February 21, 2013 - March 14, 2013

Fused Glass Artistry
February 25, 2013 - March 4, 2013

Intro to Resin Molded Jewelry
March 11, 2013

Introduction to Felting
February 7, 2013 - February 21, 2013

Jewelry Making: Beaded Necklace & Bracelet
March 5, 2013

Kundalini Yoga
January 19, 2013 - May 18, 2013

Little Leather Luxuries
February 11, 2013

Nia
February 5, 2013 - February 26, 2013

Open Studio for Drawing, Painting & Sculpture
January 8, 2013 - March 26, 2013

Recycled Glass Artwork
January 7, 2013 - March 25, 2013

Simply Yoga
January 2, 2013 - March 20, 2013

Writers' Group
December 13, 2012 - March 28, 2013

Live at The Dietrich

by
Erica Rogler

Live at the Dietrich for Feb. 6, 2013
Ragtime music helped define the time in American History leading up to World War I. Last Sunday we went to WVIA’s Media Center to experience rags from this time period through the 1990’s. Narrating the rise and revival of this enduring musical style, Dr. Gary Boerckel, pianist and WVIA radio host of "Music to My Ears" allowed us to explore the music of Scott Joplin, Zez Confrey, Joe Jordan and other ragtime greats. Soprano Bernadette Boerckel sang along to tunes including "A Bird in a Gilded Cage" and "Rings on My Fingers". I especially enjoyed how Dr. Boerckel’s commentary related so much to our selection for Wyoming County Reads - Ragtime by E.L. Doctorow. He even played "Wall Street Rag" which is the song that Coalhouse Walker, Jr. played on Mother and Father’s piano in the novel! We are grateful to WVIA for hosting this event and putting us in touch with the Boerckels. WVIA is such a valuable resource to our area. This program was made possible by the Apple Wagon Antique Mall, Ron and Sandy Vieczorek and a sponsorship made in honor of the Rampola and Kozloski families. 
Our next event for Wyoming County Reads is tonight. Join us for our first of four book discussions on E.L. Doctorow’s acclaimed novel at the Tunkhannock Public Library. Facilitated by local scholar Bill Chapla, these discussions will be held on Wednesdays, February 6, 13, 20, and 27 at 7:00 p.m. Tonight we will discuss, plot, setting, characters and more. Admission is free and light refreshments will be provided. We hope to see you there. 
If you are more interested in film, we encourage you to join us for Ragtime the movie on Wednesday, March 6 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. at the Dietrich Theater. Admission is free. As a fan of Downton Abbey, I can’t wait to see Elizabeth McGovern in her role as Evelyn Nesbitt in this acclaimed film from 1981, which also stars James Cagney.
Speaking of films, in February the Dietrich will feature dance films and dance lessons. Come view the films The Tango Lesson on Sunday, February 10, Singin’ in the Rain on February 17 and Shall We Dance on February 24. After each film, there will be a dance lesson at Father Nallin Hall (across the street from the theater) taught by local dance instructors. Admission is just $10 per movie-lesson combo and no experience is required. We invite pairs and singles. This series has been sponsored by NEPA Tango in the Tent. For more information or for tickets, please call us at 570-996-1500. 
In February, the Dietrich will also be presenting a variety of classes and workshops. This Thursday night we will be starting up an Introduction to Felting class with instructor Emily Rancier. During this series, we will learn the basics of wet felting as we create unique small felted purses that we will design and shape from start to finish. No experience is required and admission is $40 including materials. Classes will be held on Thursdays, February 7, 14 and 21 from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
We will also be offering a Little Leather Luxuries Workshop on Monday, February 11 from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Taught by Esther Harmatz, participants will learn how to create original jewelry using leather strand. Class members will fashion earrings, bracelets and leather pendant necklaces. Come join in the creative fun! Admission is $30 and no experience is required. For more information or to register for Dietrich classes, please call us at 570-996-1500.