Theater announces lineup for A Very Melba Christmas

BATESVILLE — This year marks the fourth annual A Very Melba Christmas, presented by the Melba Theater of Batesville, with the assistance of local business partners. The past three Christmas seasons have brought in thousands of moviegoers to see classic Christmas films on the big screen.

Theater owners Adam and Mandi Curtwright and Joe and Janelle Shell try to bring in something new and exciting each year, aiming to fulfill their mission of offering “an experience to remember.” This year, the series consists of 12 movies with 18 showings, beginning Friday. The series will kick off with White

Christmas at 7 p.m. This classic film features Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye. Thanks to community business partners, A Very Melba Christmas movies are offered free to the public. The theater holds 410 and can accommodate six wheelchairs. “Doors open one hour before showtime, and oftentimes, the line begins forming before our workers have even arrived to prepare for the show,” Adam Curtwright said. “To see the excitement on the kids’ faces, and honestly, their parents’ faces as well, makes all the hard work and preparation worth it.”

The series includes more than simply booking the films and popping the popcorn. The Curtwrights and Shells have recruited more staff, scheduled dozens of school groups, contacted local businesses for partnerships and decorated the interior and exterior of the theater to add to the overall ambiance.

“We want our decorations to flow with and compliment the wonderful lights put on by the city,” Joe Shell said. “It’s a lot of work, but something we are very proud of.” Adding to the overall experience, snow machines are installed and activated as guests exit the theater. It has also been confirmed that Cousin Eddie and his rundown RV from Christmas Vacation will be back as well. Each year, Brad Cheatham dons a bathrobe and entertains guests as they wait in line. The Leg Lamp from A Christmas Story will reappear in the ticket-booth window, and other surprises will surface during the series as well.

The full schedule is as follows:

• Friday: White Christmas at 7 p.m.

• Saturday: The Star at 4 p.m. and Christmas Vacation at 7 p.m.

• Dec. 1: How the Grinch Stole Christmas at 2 p.m.

• Dec. 3: Elf at 6:30 p.m.

• Dec. 5: White Christmas at 6:30 p.m.

• Dec. 8: Scrooged at 6:30 p.m.

• Dec. 10: Polar Express at 6:30 p.m.

• Dec. 12: It’s a Wonderful Life at 6:30 p.m.

• Dec. 15: Christmas Vacation at 6:30 p.m.

• Dec. 17: The Grinch at 6:30 p.m.

• Dec. 19: Elf at 6:30 p.m.

• Dec. 20: Meet Me in St. Louis at 7 p.m.

• Dec. 21: A Christmas Story at 4 p.m. and Polar Express at 7 p.m.

• Dec. 22: How the Grinch Stole Christmas at 2 p.m. and

It’s a Wonderful Life at 6:30 p.m.

• Dec. 26: Gremlins at 6:30 p.m. For updates or more information, visit www.melbatheater.org or the Melba Theater’s Facebook page.