Chillicothe’s historic Majestic Theatre reopened its doors to patrons this past weekend after a nearly one-year hiatus due to the ongoing pandemic.
Although Coronavirus restrictions reduced each showing to 15-percent of the theatre’s 500+ seat capacity, the Valentines Day weekend offered nearly 225 patrons the chance to view the film “Holler”, a film, written and directed by Jackson, Ohio native Nicole Riegel. Ms. Riegel opened each screening of the film with an introduction, providing audiences a little more insight into the story and the film-making.
“Holler” is beautifully summed up by Ohio University - Chillicothe's Dr. Tony Vinci as written in the program distributed to patrons.
“The film accurately and sensitively reflects the realities many young women face in Southern Ohio, but it accomplishes much more than that. It documents a world that is both mythic and intimate, both delicate and brutal, and it does so through an uncanny marriage of elegance, intelligence, and grit found almost exclusively in the work of working-class artists," said Dr. Vinci. "As Holler suggests, there is a rare and valuable point of view forged in the forgotten places of the world, a form of intellect and creativity cultivated not primarily by affluence and education but by vulnerability and need.”
Although the film was screened at the historic theatre with ticket sales benefiting the pandemic-shuttered theatre, it took several community members to bring it to fruition. Curt McAllister (C.P. Management Co.) and Dr. Tony Vinci played major roles in coordinating this special opportunity for the community. Additionally, the screening produced an opportunity for several OU-Chillicothe students to meet Nicole Riegel and participate in a discussion along with a question and answer session.
Beyond the inspirational impact of the story, Ms. Riegel and production team allowed the Majestic Theatre to benefit wholly from the ticket sales. This event generated $4,500 through ticket sales, and a generous gift of $2,500 from C.P. Management Company in support of “Holler.” The $7,000 financial impact has given the Majestic Theatre the funds needed to operate and continue efforts to fully reopen.
The Valentine’s Day weekend screening was the first public showing in southern Ohio; however, the film has been shown to audiences around the globe at prestigious film festivals. “Holler” has been nominated and won awards through the film festivals and will soon be released through IFC Films this summer.