Support our Sponsors
  • RiverArts Music Tour
  • Masters School Graduation
Arts & Entertainment

The Burns Spruces Up Its Three Main Theaters

• Bookmarks: 223


May 5, 2023

By Barrett Seaman—

As one of the few movie theaters in the area that screens both top international “art” films and commercial box office blockbusters, the Jacob Burns Film Center (JBFC, known familiarly as “the Burns”)) draws its audiences from all over Westchester and beyond. Its comfortable seating and live programming have been assets since the Burns opened its Pleasantville location in 2001.

Twenty-two years have brought with them a little wear and tear, however, leading the non-profit to launch a significant restoration project for its three main floor theaters. Starting this month, Burns members and guests will enjoy plush new seating, wider aisles to get in and out, improved stage lighting and sightlines, hand rails, LED lighting on arm rests and steps, and improved audio enhancement for those who rely on hearing aids. Theater #1, the largest with seating for 245, has a brand new screen.

Support our Sponsors
  • Gullotta House 10th Anniversary Celebration
  • La Catena Restaurant - Ardsley, New York

The project, on hold for three years because of the pandemic, was largely paid for partly by a grant from the Regional Economic Development Council Initiative and by the David Swope Fund, created by and named for the late benefactor, avid moviegoer and former chairman of the JBFC. Along with regular JBFC members, they managed to raise more than $2 million.

Theater #2 as it once was.

The new, wider seats are equipped with sturdier cupholders. More generous seat separation allows for more legroom and easier passage. In Theater #2, the single aisle in the middle has been replaced by aisles on each end. In Theater #2, on-stage lighting and sight lines allow for enhanced interaction between patrons and guests during in-person presentations.

Theater #2 newly-refurbished

To improve sound by blocking outside noise, the walls in Theater #2 have been equipped with sound baffling panels, For those who rely on hearing aids, the Burns has installed updated “Hearing Loop” technology, embedded under the floor, that links with an individual’s own T-coil-enabled hearing aid or cochlear implant.

Collaborating with the JBFC on this project was Mt. Kisco-based KG+D Architects, recently named “Firm of the Year” by the American Institute of Architects New York State Chapter. The firm previously worked on the opening of the Media Arts Lab in 2008.

Current theatergoers have a choice among R.M.N., Other People’s Children, Polite Society, Are You There, God? It’s Me, Margaret, Chevalier, Air or Showing Up.

Coming soon: It Ain’t Over, The Eight Mountains , Master Gardener, You Hurt My Feelings, Raging Bull , Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, Asteroid City, Oppenheimer and Barbie.

One additional feature, thanks to Governor Hochul: with newly-relaxed liquor laws that permit off-site beverages, beer and wine are on sale along with pop corn, Twizzlers and chocolate-covered raisins.

Read or leave a comment on this story...


Support our Sponsors
  • Andrea Martone Westchester real estate agent - Tarrytown listing
  • La Catena Restaurant - Ardsley, New York
  • Piccola Trattoria open for brunch - Dobbs Ferry
  • Tranquility Spa in Scarsdale Mothers Day

Rivertowns Activists Take Their Ambitious Plastics Recycling Campaign to Albany

By Sue Treiman-- A pair of proposed laws that would make New York the state with the most comprehensive plastic...
Read More

Red Herring

RED HERRING: Is not an endangered species By Krista Madsen In these dark times, sometimes I enjoy going darker still: like lamenting...
Read More

Love Affair with the Hudson River on Display

 By Tom Pedulla--- A man’s 50-year love affair with the Hudson River is detailed in a new exhibit at the...
Read More

Tarrytown YMCA Team Competes in Nationals 

By Robert Kimmel-- For the third year in a row, the Family YMCA at Tarrytown’s Elite All Stars Cheers program...
Read More

Local Students Earn National Merit Scholarships

By Rick Pezzullo--- Several local high school students have been selected as National Merit $2,500 Scholarship winners. Earlier this week,...
Read More

Irvington Middle School Student Honored With National Junior Honor Society Award

Irvington Middle School student Cameron Weiner has been named a 2025 National Junior Honor Society Outstanding Achievement Award recipient. The...
Read More

This Summer’s Hot New Book? Barbecue!

Shana Liebman’s stunning new cookbook, Barbecue, (her first), which she wrote with Chef Hugh Mangum, features over 270 recipes for...
Read More

Funeral Set for Beloved Morse School Teacher

By Rick Pezzullo The Tarrytown Union Free School District community is mourning the sudden loss of one of its beloved...
Read More

Main Street School Students Raise Money For Environmental Causes

In celebration of Earth Day, fourth and fifth graders at Main Street School came together to raise more than $764...
Read More

Hostile Crowd Steals Show at Lawler Town Hall in Westchester

By Abby Luby--- A raucous crowd of about 600 people showed up at Republican Congressman Mike Lawler’s Westchester town hall...
Read More
223 recommended
659 views
bookmark icon