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LIFE
Actress to host party and film showing to celebrate theater's new movie screen
ASHLAND -- One of the Hollywood's biggest stars is turning her attention from the silver screen to the Paramount Arts Center's screen.
"Like me, so many people in the Tri-State first entered this great building to see a movie," said Tyson Compton, marketing director of the PAC and chairman of the event. "And people are always asking when we will show movies again. Well, that day has arrived! And, we think it's a pretty big deal, especially with Ashley Judd as our hostess for the evening. How incredible is that? It isn't every day that you have the opportunity to attend a cocktail party on the Paramount stage with one of Hollywood's leading ladies."
The Paramount is rolling out the red carpet (literally) today at 8 p.m. for "Opening Night with Ashley Judd" and a screening of romantic comedy "It Happened One Night," starring Claudette Colbert and Clark Gable -- a nod to the era when the Paramount first opened.
"Ashley felt it was important to select a great classic, something really amazing for the reintroduction of pictures at the Paramount," Compton explained.
A reception begins at 6 p.m. for the first 200 respondents, with the film and dancing to follow. A $100 ticket gives guests access to all the evening's events; a $20 ticket will include the film and dancing. Guests are encouraged to dress in their favorite movie costume or come as their favorite film character. Cocktail attire is also appropriate for the reception.
The evening will conclude with dancing to movie themes and songs from film soundtracks.
Opened in 1931, the venue was the largest movie theater in the Ohio Valley until it closed in 1972 and was transformed into the Paramount Arts Center -- when films were nixed. With the help of Rep. Hal Rogers, R-Ky., and grant funding, the silver screen has returned -- motorized, retractable and measuring 21 feet high and 28 feet wide. While the Paramount will not show first-run films, plans are already formulating for documentaries, classic films and a possible YouTube video contest.
The date of tonight's event -- Sept. 5 -- ironically times with the first-ever movie showing on Sept. 5, 1931, and the renovation of the stage house on Sept. 5, 2000.
"Ashley could not confirm for our original date, which was to be later in the month, and informed us that she was only available on Sept. 5," Compton explained. "Fate had to be involved because we couldn't have managed that if we had tried."
Also scheduled to appear is vocalist Stephen Salyers, who'll sing several songs throughout the evening.
For more information or tickets, call 606-324-3175 or visit www.paramountartscenter.com.
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