Cape Cinema meets with public looking for ways to survive ailing finances

DENNIS ― Cape Cinema, Inc. president Eric A. Hart thanked the 300 or so people who attended Saturday's community meeting about why the historic movie theater suddenly closed its doors.

"If the audience looked like this when we show movies, we probably wouldn't have had to shut down," Hart told the packed theater, many of whom were enjoying small boxes of free popcorn.

One community member kidded that Hart, president of the board for the nonprofit theater, missed a financial windfall by not selling tickets to the community meeting.

Theater officials announced April 27 that Cape Cinema was going on hiatus indefinitely because of financial problems. Hart said Saturday that distributors payments are now current again (so Cape Cinema can get movies).

If Cape Cinema supporters could raise $100,000, Hart said, the movie theater could reopen for the summer season comfortably, without concerns about more closures.

Cape Cinema in Dennis receives donations after closing

Hart did not say whether that $100,000 was in addition to the $75,000 or so donated since the theater closed its doors. There is another $50,000 pledged if Cape Cinema can raise $50,000 in matching donations, said the board's treasurer Rick Sigel.

In an interview before Saturday's 75-minute session began, Anne Malone of Mashpee, said, "I'm here because this theater fills a need that others don't."

The circa 1930 theater is known for the 6,400-foot proscenium arch illustrated by Rockwell Kent with representations of the heavens and constellations. The movie theater itself is owned by Cape Cod Art Center and located on a Route 6A campus, along with Cape Playhouse and Cape Cod Museum of Art.

According to its website and several attendees at Saturday's meeting, Cape Cinema screens new movies and major releases as well as indie films and art house works. The cinema also rents space for private parties.

Attracting a younger, more diverse crowd

Maxie Davidson of East Sandwich said she and other friends in their 30s like to attend Throwback Thursdays, which feature older movies and specialty cocktails, as well as horror movie Saturdays.

Davidson suggested to Hart that Cape Cinema rebroadcast its Metropolitan Opera and National Theatre Live shows at night so people who work can attend.

Hart urged Davidson and her friends to volunteer as they are in an age demographic Cape Cinema is especially trying to reach.

Board member Muska Yousuf presented a program to reach out to teachers who may want to introduce their students to cinema. Yousuf, a trial lawyer and an Afghan immigrant, talked about expanding programming to include more films featuring people of color.

The crowd included representatives of other arts nonprofits and Cape Cinema patrons who wanted the theater open again. While most offered time, money and support, some in the audience, who did not identify themselves, pushed for a more public accounting of Cape Cinema's budget.

Speaking before the meeting, Malone said, "What I'd like to see is a business plan. What are the challenges in the industry and what are the possible solutions?"

Several other people voiced that concern. As a board member, Yousuf pledged Cape Cinema would produce and publicize those financial details as part of this restructuring.

Hart said in an interview before Saturday's meeting that the staff, including general manager Josh Mason, were laid off because there was no money for payroll. Hart said Mason was not at the meeting.

In the Cape Cod Times' original story, Mason issued a statement saying, "Sadly, philosophical differences between board leadership and me regarding operations have resulted in a closure which I believe was preventable ... However, my deepest affection for the Cape Cinema and the community that supports it remains unshaken, and I remain supremely hopeful for the future.”

According to Mason's attorney, Bruce Bierhans, Mason has been laid off during this break.

Gwenn Friss is the editor of CapeWeek and covers entertainment, restaurants and the arts. Contact her at gfriss@capecodonline.com. Follow her or X, formerly Twitter: @dailyrecipeCCT

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This article originally appeared on Cape Cod Times: Cape Cinema in Dennis needs $100,000, more volunteers to survive