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Big-screen scene, small-screen feel

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By ALEX HAUETER / GZO

Friday, Jun 01, 2007 - 12:23:32 am CDT

Imagine the components of a good home theater: a comfortable couch or two, good sound, a widescreen TV and easy access to food and drink.

Now imagine a home theater on steroids. That’s the vision for the State Theatre downtown, which will open Saturday and provide Lincoln with a new option for second-run movies.

Inspired by the success of the McMenamins chain of theater-pubs in the Pacific Northwest, a husband-and-wife team from Oregon leased the old O Street theater and will bring Lincoln moviegoers a new way to enjoy film. The couple also had considered locations in California and Hawaii before deciding on Lincoln.

Story Photo
Employee Doug Jacobson sits in the lounge viewing area of the newly remodeled State Theatre. The theater will serve cocktails and food while patrons watch mid-run movies. (William Lauer)
If you go

What: The State Movie Theatre

Showtimes: ‘300,’ 5:30 p.m.; ‘Grindhouse,’ 8:30 p.m.

Where: 1415 O St.

Admission: General admission, $3.95; reserved seating (couches) $4.95. Cash only at the box office. Credit cards accepted at the bar. Under 21 must be accompanied by a parent.

With the seats removed before several failed stints as a nightclub, the theater provided a perfect venue for a movie theater with couches and tables instead of stadium-style seats, beer and wine instead of pop, and imported desserts instead of popcorn and Junior Mints.

“It’s a really cool concept,” said David McNeil, who will be opening the new theater with his wife, Takako. “For me, that’s the best way to watch a movie.”

McNeil said he thinks visitors to the new theater will agree. The theater can hold about 250 guests in three different seating areas. The rows closest to the screen will be filled with couches, the middle section of the theater features a bar with about 20 stools, and seating at the back of the theater will be tables and chairs.

In providing a new movie experience, McNeil said his goal is to keep ticket, food and beverage prices comparable to those of traditional movie theaters. He said he expects the cost of a glass of beer or wine and an appetizer or dessert to rival that of a soda and bag of popcorn.

The theater will open with a limited selection of premium beer and wine, as well as desserts imported from Italy. Food choices will also be limited at first and will include Tiramisu and a berry torte. As the McNeils find a routine for operating the theater, they’ll add new food and drink options.

They’ll also open the theater up to more people.

McNeil said he was aware of the trouble that could come from serving alcohol in such a dark venue, so the theater will open initially for patrons over 21 years old. It might take a few months to come up with a plan to keep alcohol out of minors’ hands, so for now minors will be permitted only if accompanied by a parent.

Once he has a plan to avoid serving minors, McNeil said he’ll open the theater to all ages, following the family-friendly model of the McMenamins theaters he was fond of in Portland. That may mean dividing it into drinking and non-drinking sections, though he acknowledged that that could take away patrons’ ability to relax on the couches with a glass of wine.

“We’ll definitely stay out of trouble,” he said.

With trouble out of the way, McNeil said he hopes part of the routine will include a weekly addition to the movie rotation. Though he’s opening the theater with action movies “Grindhouse” and “300,” McNeil hopes to show mostly comedies, which he said were great experiences at similar theaters in Oregon.

“I saw ‘Something About Mary,’ and people were literally rolling on the floor,” he said. “You get a couple beers, it just heightens the comedy.”

Comedies are accessible to people of all ages, another priority.

“This theater is perfect with the students here,” McNeil said.

Another factor in the decision to set up in Lincoln was the overall condition of the building.

“They have taken really good care of the building,” McNeil said.

The inside of the theater had to undergo some renovations to restore it for movie use, but McNeil said things went smoothly. The lobby got new flooring and paint, and a bar and new lighting were installed. In addition to the couches and tables, crews also installed acoustic material on the walls, a new sound system, a new screen and new projection equipment. Work on the exterior will restore the facade to its original appearance.

The mural on the east wall of the theater also has been restored as part of the McNeils’ efforts to preserve the history of the building.

“It’s kind of a big deal for people who grew up here and remember that mural,” McNeil said.

Even with the historical building restored, a trip to the State Theatre will be a new affair that McNeil said really has to be experienced to be fully appreciated.

“It’s hard to describe,” he said. “It’s going to definitely be good stuff.”

Reach Alex Haueter at 473-7254 or at ahaueter@journalstar.com.


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Thanks! wrote on June 1, 2007 9:30 am:
" Well done McNeil!!! "

 no thanks wrote on June 1, 2007 10:12 am:
" Sounds like this theater isn't family friendly. It sounds like they only want to cater to adults. Give me my parents big screen television,a dvd player, a can of Sprite and a bowl of popcorn instead. RIP StarShip. The alternative isn't an alternative at all. "

 CS wrote on June 1, 2007 10:40 am:
" Wah. Why does everything in this city have to be family friendly? I have three kids and very rarely get to see movies that arent animated or cater to the intellect of a 5 year old. Im fine with that, most of the time, but there are movies like 300 or Grindhouse that I shouldn't have to sit through with a bunch of kids that lied about their age or came with their parents. This theater is going to seat what, 150-200 at most? Its not a threat to your family entertainment at all. IT IS A BAR/LOUNGE THAT SHOWS MOVIES. The owner has even stated that in the future they would like to make it more open to younger people with their families but, quite frankly, I hope they do not. I applaud him for recognizing the tremendous effort and pain in the rear that keeping minors out would be and simplifying his business model. The Starship is gone-thank the city. Movie prices in Lincoln are the same or cheaper than most any place of this size in the country. Kids don't need to be part of every facet of adult life. You can rent or download on demand movies or go to a saturday showing of kids stuff if the Grand still does that. (or request that they do it more and they probably will) Why can't there be someplace downtown where adults can go watch a movie with other adults? The owner never said this was an alternative-you assumed it would be. "

 Ben wrote on June 1, 2007 11:13 am:
" I think it's a great idea. I've see this theater concept in cities around the country and I'm happy to have the option here in Lincoln. Loud, obnoxious teenagers have ruined many movies for me, so this is a really great new moviegoing option. "

 Sylvia wrote on June 1, 2007 12:29 pm:
" It would be helpful if the theater had a website. Is the theater open every night? "

 Jay wrote on June 1, 2007 2:12 pm:
" I don't like kids, including my own. I don't think kids should be allowed downtown period. If you decided to have kids you should be punished like the rest of us. "

 beerorkid wrote on June 1, 2007 3:18 pm:
" http://statemovietheatre.com/ be prepared to be wowed at the uber awesomness of their website "

 Can't wait wrote on June 1, 2007 7:53 pm:
" This is a great idea! And I agree with CS - not every thing needs to be family friendly. Those of us that decide not to spawn would like to be able to spend some time at a movie without someone else's little rug rats trailing around ruining things with tears and questions. Please - either don't make changes to allow kids in, or only allow them at specific times. Leave the nights to adults! "

 Idea? wrote on June 2, 2007 6:43 am:
" Maybe certain times or certain dates could be alcohol-free to bring in those under 21. Serve pop during that time to not lose the extra receipts. Bring on the beer for the next showing. "

 CS wrote on June 2, 2007 11:45 am:
" Idea-my wife works at the Grand and she suggested the same thing last night. She thinks its a great idea-its not a t threat to any movie theaters profits except maybe the Joyoux or possibly the Ripma depending on what they show. I already have plans for tonight or id be out there on the street in line, and I haven't waited in a line for a movie ticket since Episodes 4, 5, and 6 were re-done. Best luck to Mr. McNeil. "

 Vincent wrote on June 2, 2007 3:45 pm:
" Well, in Amsterdam, you can buy beer in a movie theatre. And I don't mean in a paper cup either. They give you a glass of beer, like in a bar "

 Nebraskan-Singaporian wrote on June 2, 2007 9:34 pm:
" For how many years have I missed the State theater? A nice place to see films with my dad, it seems to have been the only theater he was ever comfortable going to, or some reason. I think that gearing the theater towards family time would be acceptable, but only so long as it was for, say, Sunday matinees through the early evening; after eight, adults only. If the lease holders of the state need a suggestion, play movies that will work in tandem with your surrounding market, particularly The Brick Top on Sundays, when they have 80's music night; play an 80's movie at around 8 (ooooo, "80's @ 8!" what a tag-line!) or 9 o'clock, that way a nice crowd of brick toppers (if you will) will view a screening and get their drink on. I think the the concept of a lounge theatre will be well rewarded, being situated in L-towns unique bar stretch, and being next to Xia-Xia's; people like good pizza, they like good beer, they like good wine and people like going to the movies. Frankly, the possibility of the State securing it's future as a movie theater, again, should make any Lincoln resident who rememebers going to see films there very happy. All those yeasr we had to suffer with a beautiful building, which was obviously a movie theatre, being subjected to the silly notion that clubbing in Lincoln was feasable! And then, after those clubs closed, we had to ach as the bulding was assaulted by silly children who would break her windows, marque and external decorations. And anoither thing, I hope that the lease holders will hav the foresight to realize there are thousands of potential films to show which people whould love to see up on the silver screen. All the best of luck and profits to them, this is an exciting possibility for Lincolns future entertainment variety! Wow, I have not been this excited for downtown in a long time! What's next? Will the Roccoco/Stuart wise-up? Down with Douglas, Nebraska's cinema monopoly! "

 Rys wrote on June 4, 2007 10:52 am:
" Next year, I will be estatic about this new theater, but right now I'm really ticked off. I've been wanting to see Grindhouse since it came out and was super excited to see it on the marquee for this new theater. But once again I will miss my chance, just because I'm a few months shy of 21. And I'm sure that the movie will be gone by the time they implement a plan that allows minors to attend. And to the person who said that they are happy there won't be any obnoxious teenagers, um....how obnoxious do you think it will be to watch a movie in a room full of drunk people? However, I think that the idea of allowing minors to attend on certain dates or certain times is a really good one that will please just about everybody. Overall I think that this theater is a great idea, but I really just wish that Douglas would get it's act together and bring back Starship. Kids can't afford to go to movies at more expensive theaters and cheaper second run theaters like Starship gave them somewhere to go and stay out of trouble. Boo to the Douglas Theater monopoly! "

 CS wrote on June 4, 2007 1:23 pm:
" It was at the Grand for a month. How much time do you need to say to yourself, "Hmm...I think Ill go see a movie?" Regarding 'obnoxious drunks', well, I don't know the types of people that you might hang around with, but it is quite easy to drink and go to a movie, play, concert, etc, without being obnoxious. Its called maturity and moderation, and amazingly enough I've seen more of it amongst minor aged alcohol consumers in other countries that I have been to than in adults right here that are of age. "

 Jay wrote on June 5, 2007 8:11 pm:
" I just got back from a showing of 300 at the State. They still have a bit of work to do on the interior (like say, a box office) but it was a cool experience. I didn't drink, but I enjoyed sitting on the sofa and watching a movie on the silver screen. I look forward to returning...a lot. Good job! "

 Vespino wrote on June 6, 2007 2:39 pm:
" Reminds me of the Drafthouse theaters in Texas. Same basic concept but the Drafthouse theaters are more like a regular theater but with a bench on each row and the servers can take orders during the movie without obstructing your view. I hope this takes off. I'm sick of inovative ideas in entertainment around here getting squashed by patrons that are scared of something new. "

 Am I missing something? wrote on June 7, 2007 11:03 am:
" I think this is a GREAT idea. It is something new and different for Lincoln, which are at least two things we are in great need of. My beef with the thing however is, what if I don't want to drink beer or wine? What if, as an adult who wants to sit on a couch and watch movie on the big screen without any kids, I still just want my Diet Pepsi and popcorn? Is that not an option? My husband--a MAJOR movie buff--and I will definitely check it out. I hope as a non-drinker I'm not too disappointed. "

 Am I missing something? wrote on June 7, 2007 11:26 am:
" I think this is a GREAT idea. It is something new and different for Lincoln, which are at least two things we are in great need of. My beef with the thing however is, what if I don't want to drink beer or wine? What if, as an adult who wants to sit on a couch and watch movie on the big screen without any kids, I still just want my Diet Pepsi and popcorn? Is that not an option? My husband--a MAJOR movie buff--and I will definitely check it out. I hope as a non-drinker I'm not too disappointed. "

 ballz, seth ballz wrote on June 11, 2007 6:30 pm:
" yeah kids dont need to be downtown unless they are on a field trip, beer in movie theatre = awesome, kids in movie theatre = bullsh*t, there are plenty of theatres kids can go to, adults need one they can drink at "

 mike gollehon wrote on June 20, 2007 11:45 am:
" It is auwsome that you have brought back to life the state theatre. I went there many times as a child and one of my cousin's was the manager of the theatre. Are you aware that the cooper theatre at 55th and 'O' street next to the villager motel is empty and available. "

 bananarama wrote on February 8, 2008 1:52 pm:
" i think it's a good idea executed poorly
nobody wants to sit on those old thrift store couches
with ill-fitting slipcovers!
oh, and use the box office! "

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