Zach Perrier
Viewpoints Editor
With the help of hundreds of donors, a ribbon cutting at 3:30 p.m. today (Feb. 8) will celebrate the official opening of the Lyric Theater in downtown Wooster. The theater’s opening comes after years of planning and fundraising, stemming from the closure of Wooster’s downtown theater — also known as the Lyric — in 2010.
The nonprofit Lyric Theater achieved their fundraising goals through a grant of $100,000 from the Stanley C. Gault Philanthropic Leadership Fund on Dec. 31, 2024. In 2021, the same fund jump-started the planning process for the theater.
Greg Shaya, president of the new theater’s board of trustees and a professor of history and global media and digital studies at the College, said in a press release that “The Gault Leadership Fund was one of the first sources of funding to turn this dream into a reality — now it is one of the last.” The donation completed the Lyric’s goal of raising $3.2 million to open.
The theater’s opening weekend will herald in a number of festivities, including a Wooster Children’s Film Festival on Feb. 8. Additionally, international films like “I’m Still Here” and “The Seed of the Sacred Fig” are set to show this weekend.
On top of more niche films, the Lyric will also show blockbusters such as “Wicked” — with a separate sing-along showing — and “Paddington in Peru.” Oscar-nominated films such as “The Brutalist” and “Flow” are also on the docket. Tickets are $9 on weekdays and $10 on the weekend. Students, seniors and veterans pay $7 for tickets.
The Lyric will also host a number of live shows, including a magician, a big band and a performance of the play “Love Letters.” Information on other upcoming showings and performances are live on their website.
Concessions at the Lyric are different from standard chain movie theater fare. On top of popcorn, soda and candy, the theater will also provide cocktails and a “self-serve beer machine” with “a rotating selection of Ohio beers, seltzers, and ciders.” The Lyric will provide a variety of seating, from recliners to high-top tables to couches.
What’s on at the Lyric this weekend:
Friday, February 7th
Ribbon Cutting and Grand Opening – 3:30 p.m.
Wicked – 3:30 p.m. & 7:00 p.m.
Flow – 7:40 p.m.
I’m Still Here – 4:10 p.m. & 7:20 p.m.
The Seed of the Sacred Fig – 3:50 p.m.
Saturday February 8th
Wooster Children’s Film Fest
Little Kids Flicks – 11:00 a.m.
Big Kid Flicks – 12:30 p.m.
Celebrating Black Stories – 2:35 p.m.
Hola Cine – 3:50 p.m.
Girls’ POV – 5:10 p.m.
Regular Showings
The Seed of The Sacred Fig – 12:00 p.m.
I’m Still Here – 11:15 a.m., 3:30 p.m. & 7:20 p.m.
Flow – 7:45 p.m.
Wicked Sing-Along – 2:15 p.m. & 7:00 p.m.
Sunday February 9th
Wooster Children’s Film Fest
Little Kids Flicks – 12:30 p.m.
Big Kid Flicks – 2:00 p.m.
Celebrating Black Stories – 3:25 p.m.
Hola Cine – 4:45 p.m.
Girls’ POV – 6:10 p.m.
Regular Showings
The Seed of the Sacred Fig – 3:45 p.m.
I’m Still Here – 12:45 p.m., 4:00 p.m. & 7:20 p.m.
Wicked – 12:15 p.m. & 7:00 p.m.
Flow – 8:00 p.m.
