Pocono News Section

Lights, Camera, Action

Lights, Camera, Action - Thursday, November 13, 2008 at 2:18PM EST

Reported by: Laurie Monteforte
Thursday, Nov 13, 2008 @ 02:18pm EST
EAST STROUDSBURG, MONROE COUNTY - Lights are shining once again at a Pocono Theater. The Pocono Community Theater showed its first film in months Thursday.

The place has opened and closed several times but volunteers believe this time will be different. They left the theater at two Thursday morning then were right back at work just six hours later to put on some finishing touches.

"I'm nervous, I'm excited, I'm anxious and I'll be happy to get some sleep this weekend," said Executive Director Eric Hantson.

The theater has been dark since April but Hantson helped get the lights shining again. He said, "This is huge for me because first of all I love this particular place so much."

He was an usher for what was once called the Pocono Cinema and later the Grand Cinema. He said, "It's like a library. You need a forum for something like this because these aren't the type of films that are made to make money."

The art house theater shows limited release and independent movies. It has failed under multiple owners but Hantson believes this time will be different. He said, "It's up to everyone who likes the place to contribute what they can."

The movie house is now a non profit organization. Thanks in part to Skip Scheetz. He couldn't stand to see the place shut down. He explained, "It was a major blow because we not only loved the movies but it was great for the community. It was like a jewel that was going to be just discarded."

So he and his partner formed a board and launched the not for profit theater.

The new theater won't just be for movies. There will also be performance stages and an improved art gallery. The movie loving volunteers hope the combination keeps the cinema alive.

The Pocono Community Theater will host a grand opening gala Saturday at 6 p. m. For information visit .