A new summer series of free kids' movies highlights the upcoming season at the F.M. Kirby Center for the Performing Arts in Wilkes-Barre.
Eight classic movies, mostly animations, will be shown Tuesdays at 1 p.m. in July and August. Showings are free for children 12 and under and $5 for others.
The new Kirby Center season, which runs through April, will be formally unveiled with a new brochure booklet on Monday. It includes events that have not been previously announced, such as a Broadway-themed Northeastern Pennsylvania Philharmonic concert and a national touring company of "The Addams Family" musical, both in September. An international cast will perform "The Nutcracker" ballet in November.
The free "Big Screen Summer Series" echoes the Kirby Center's origins as the Comerford Theater movie palace, which opened in 1938.
"It's something we have never been able to do on this scale before," said Neil Prisco, the director of marketing.
Aug. 26: "The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh," a 1977 animation. It will be a sensory-friendly showing. Accommodations might be made for sensitivities to light and sound, for example. The Kirby Center is inviting groups that serve children with special needs and will collaborate with them on designing the experience around the 74-minute movie. The gentle animation is a good choice for a sensory-friendly performance, Prisco said. It will also be open to all.
The Kirby Center's long-standing Wednesday movie series, aimed mostly at adults, is back. It was canceled during renovations last summer. It includes "Anora," which won the most recent Academy Award for Best Picture, on July 23.
There are two all-ages classics on the Wednesday summer schedule: "Star Wars" on July 16 and "The Wizard of Oz" on Aug. 27.
The music documentary "Stop Making Sense," a performance by the Talking Heads, is Aug. 6.
Other newly announced highlights include:
* The Northeastern Pennsylvania Philharmonic's Sept. 27 concert is titled "Defying Gravity: Bewitching Broadway." The orchestra will be accompanied by vocalists and the program will include numbers from "Wicked," "Phantom of the Opera," "Sweeney Todd" and more.
* A national touring production of the Broadway musical "The Addams Family," which was based on the old kooky television show, is Sept. 28. "That's a highlight for us this year, bringing some Broadway back to the Kirby Center," said Executive Director Joell Yarmel. "We're really excited about that."
* The Luzerne County Arts and Entertainment Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony will be Oct. 4.
* "The Nutcracker! Magical Christmas Ballet," produced by Talmi Entertainment, is Nov. 8.
* The philharmonic will accompany two Christmas short animations on Dec. 20 -- "The Snowman," and its sequel, "The Snowman and the Snow Dog." It will include a singalong.
* Northeast Pennsylvania natives Mike Miz and the Northeast Extension will perform Dec. 27.
* A showing of the movie "Jurassic Park" will be accompanied by the philharmonic, performing the John Williams score, on April 11.
* The eighth annual Kirby Fest wine and food fundraiser is April 18.
* The Kirby Kidz Summer Theater Workshop series, in conjunction with the Harris Conservatory for the Arts, is returning after being canceled during renovations last year.
Copies of the brochure, the largest the Kirby Center has produced, are now being mailed to members, donors and frequent customers. It will be available beginning Monday at the box office, 71 Public Square, and as a digital download at kirbycenter.org.