EMMAUS, Pa. — Weeks after a fire closed the popular hub for regional comedians and film enthusiasts, Emmaus Theatre is set to reopen Friday night.
"We're back!!!" a social media post for the Emmaus Theatre reads.
"You do NOT want to miss out on our first show back on November 1st! We're ready for a night of endless laughter and fun."Emmaus Theatre Facebook post
"You do NOT want to miss out on our first show back on November 1st! We're ready for a night of endless laughter and fun."
The theatre, which recently hosted former federal officials and Gov. Shapiro for a screening of the docu-drama "War Game," and brought dozens of comedians to compete for the title of "Lehigh Valley's Funniest", closed on Oct. 12 after a fire in its concessions area caused damage in the building.
The reopening will kick off with an "All Pro Stand-Up Comedy Showcase" featuring Kacey Nicholson, Jeremy Pryal and Chris Jones, at 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 1, for $15 advance tickets.
A screening of the horror flick "Terrifier 3" will follow that at 9:50 p.m.
On Saturday, comedian and TikTok influencer Jiaoying Summers will hit the stage at 7:30 p.m. for $30.
That will follow film screenings of "The Nightmare Before Christmas" at 2 p.m. and the 1923 film "Nosferatu" synched with Radiohead's albums "Kid A and Amnesiac" at 3:40 p.m.
And more ahead
On Sunday, "The Nightmare Before Christmas," "Nosferatu" with Radiohead, and "Terrifier 3" will get repeat screenings.
Joining them at 5:45 p.m. will be a screening of the cyberpunk anime drama film "Metropolis," based on the 1949 Japanese comics of the same name.
Other upcoming events include more comedy shows, film screenings, a One Direction "This is Us" screening and dance party, and a tribute band to The Doors.
Ticketed events that had to be postponed, such as the annual October Burlesque show and "The Rocky Horror Picture Show" screening, have been rescheduled to November and December.
The post announcing the initial closure said that while the damage at the theater at 19 S. 4th St. “is minimal, we will be temporarily closed for at least a week as we manage cleanup and repairs. We appreciate your understanding and patience during this time.”
“Thankfully, thanks to the quick actions of our amazing employees, Brianna Escamilla and Emily Ross, everyone was evacuated safely, and no one was harmed," theatre owners Robert Audibert and Butch Rossetti said on social media.
"They promptly contacted the fire department, who responded swiftly to handle the situation.”
