Curtain Set to Rise on ShowBiz
New 12-screen movie theater to open May 15 in Waxahachie

By Andrew Branca
Daily Light staff writer

The sound of construction crews working to put the final touches on the ShowBiz Cinema will soon be replaced be the smell of buttered popcorn, laughter and actors that appear to be larger than life when projected on a silver screen.

The new theater opens its doors to the public May 15.

“We picked Waxahachie because this area needed a good theater. The market is growing and it is ripe for it. There is a need for quality entertainment and the people of Ellis County deserved it.” ShowBiz president and CEO Kevin Mitchell said.

“Our goal and our mission is to provide a first class movie-going experience for every patron,” he said. “You know, I hope we see a large crowd for opening weekend, but it is hard to say. It’s the movie business, but I think we will be pretty busy.”

Upon going through the doors, guests will be greeted with a large lobby and concession area. Windows above the box office provide the lobby with large amounts of natural lighting. Above the concession stand, a mural will soon take the place of an empty wall. A large game area will feature Dance, Dance Revolution, Guitar Hero and racing games. Players will be able to redeem for prizes such as stuffed animals and coupons good for discounts at the concession stand.

“We will have a cafe’ area with tables and chairs next to the concession stand. Above the stand there will be monitors displaying the menu,” Mitchell said.

“There will be a number of different specialty items that include Blue Bell Ice Cream, chicken nuggets, jalapeno poppers, taco triangles, soft pretzels, pizzas and corn dogs. I have tried them all and would not serve anything I would not like.”

ShowBiz features 12 different auditoriums with reclining leather seats with adjustable arm rest. Each auditorium has stadium seating and digital sound.

Audiences also have a choice when it comes to picture quality, choosing from a standard 35-millimeter picture, a digital picture or a new 3D digital system called Real D.

Special coated silver screens are installed in auditoriums featuring the Real D digital projector and audiences will be charged an additional $2 with their ticket for glasses that look similar to Ray-Ban sunglasses.

“The red and blue glasses are a thing of the past. The digital 3D is a whole new experience and is not like your ‘House of Wax.’… Digital is seamless and you can’t tell, like with 35mm where a reel change happens. It is all digitalized and a computerized image. So there is no actual film media used,” he said.

“We decided to offer 3D because it is the future of our industry. We wanted to be state of the art and wanted to give customers the best, and it is the best thing out there.”

Other amenities at ShowBiz include a family-style restroom for families who have infants and booster seats specifically designed to fit in a theater seat for younger patrons. Birthday parties can be held in a party room at the theater and can be booked in advance. Along with providing a show, ShowBiz also provides the pizza and birthday cake.

This is the fourth theater opened by ShowBiz, which has other locations in Orange, Marble Falls, and Granbury. Mitchell said he considers the new Waxahachie location a flagship for the growing chain.

“I suggest that people come and buy their tickets early,” he said of opening weekend.

“We are still working on what will be shown on opening weekend. Right now we will have ‘Star Trek’ on digital, ‘Monsters vs. Aliens’ in 3D, ‘Angels and Demons’, ‘X-Men Origins: Wolverine’ and ‘Ghost of Girlfriends Past’.”

Tickets are $5 for seniors and $7 for students, children and adults. Police and firefighters are admitted free. Tickets can be purchased in advance online at www.showbizcinemas.com and picked up through one of the automated ticket booths in the lobby.

Story courtesy of Waxahachie Daily Light