MurrayFest, Casablanca & 2001 highlight a rich quarter of Film Events at Byrd Theatre

RICHMOND, Va., March 16, 2017 –  Three new months of classic programming at The Byrd will introduce new generations to some of cinema’s greatest treasures, as well as some hidden gems. Plus, a new event you’re sure to plan Mother’s Day Weekend around.

The Byrd Theatre announces its Spring repertory lineup today scheduled through June. Major themes following March’s Westerns include: April in Paris, Comedies during May and Road Trips over June.

View March Schedule >
View April Schedule >
View May Schedule >
View June Schedule >

May 12-14, The Byrd will host 10 favorite Bill Murray features over just one weekend. “We couldn’t be more excited to announce MurrayFest,” says Grant Mizell, Programming Chair. “Save the date! More details will unfold over the coming weeks. But we expect online tickets and festival passes to go on sale by mid-April.”

Additional highlights among the upcoming quarter include Casablanca, celebrating its 75th Anniversary, a Gene Wilder retrospective evening of Blazing Saddles and Young Frankenstein, Breakfast at Tiffany’s, 2001: A Space Odyssey, and celebrating holidays both conventional and not, with films from Reefer Madness (4-20) to Passion of the Christ (Lent) and Field of Dreams (Father’s Day).

Board President, Gibson Worsham stated, “We continue to push our classic programming series with timeless classics everyone wants to see back on the Big Screen, blended with many important films and performances that should not be lost to new generations.”

The announcement and new schedule drops ahead of an exciting weekend of film at The Byrd. Saturday (3/18) celebrates St. Paddy’s one day late with Academy nominated The Secret of the Kells at 10 AM, and cult indie thriller Boondock Saints at Midnight. The capstone of Western month peaks Sunday (3/19) with a screening of The Searchers starring John Wayne, including moderated Q&A by UR Film Studies Professor, Dr. Peter Lurie, beginning 2 PM.

The full upcoming schedule of events and special programming includes:

MARCH (Westerns):
SAT 3/18 @ 10a:  The Secret of the Kells
SAT 3/18 @ 2p:  Sensory-Friendly Screening: Sing
SAT 3/18 @ Midnight:  The Boondock Saints
SUN 3/19 @ 2p:  The Searchers, w/ Q&A by Dr. Peter Lurie
WED 3/22 @ 7:15p:  The Good, the Bad and the Ugly
WED 3/22 @ 10p:  A Fistful of Dollars
SAT 3/25 @ 10a:  How to Train Your Dragon
MAR 30 – APR 2: French Film Festival

APRIL (in Paris):
TUE 4/4 @ 7:15p: 1984 (Nationwide Event)
WED 4/5 @ 7:15p:  Casablanca
APR 7 – 9:  James River Film Festival
SAT 4/8 @ 10a:  Howl’s Moving Castle
SUN 4/9 @ 7:15p:  Passion of the Christ
WED 4/12 @ 7:15p:  The Pink Panther
SAT 4/15 @ 10a:  The Secret Garden (1993)
SAT 4/15 @ 2p:  Sensory-Friendly Screening
SAT 4/15 @ Midnight:  The Fifth Element
WED 4/19 @ 7:15p:  Moulin Rouge!
THU 4/20 @ 9:30p:  Reefer Madness (1936)
SAT 4/22 @ 10a:  Batteries Not Included
SUN 4/23 @ 2p:  An American In Paris
WED 4/26 @ 7:15p:  Irma La Douce
SAT 4/29 @ 10a:  Spy Kids

MAY (Comedies):
WED 5/3 @ 7:15p:  Blazing Saddles
WED 5/3 @ 9:45:  Young Frankenstein
SAT 5/6 @ 10a:  Fly Away Home
WED 5/10 @ 7:15p:  It’s a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World
MAY 12 – 14:  MurrayFest
WED 5/17 @ 7:15p:  His Girl Friday
SAT 5/20 @ 10a:  The Lego Movie
SAT 5/20 @ 2p:  Sensory-Friendly Screening
SAT 5/20 @ Midnight:  Kill Bill: Vol 1
SUN 5/21 @ 2p:  Breakfast at Tiffany’s
WED 5/24 @ 7:15p:  This Is Spinal Tap
SAT 5/27 @ 10a:  The New Adventures of Pippi Longstocking
WED 5/31 @ 7:15p: It Happened One Night

JUNE (Road Trips):
SAT 6/3 @ 10a:  The Great Race
WED 6/7 @ 7:15p:  Easy Rider
SAT 6/10 @ 10a:  Hook
WED 6/14 @ 7:15p:  Sullivan’s Travels
SAT 6/17 @ 10a:  Indiana Jones: Raiders of the Lost Ark
SAT 6/17 @ 2p:  Sensory-Friendly Screening
SAT 6/17 @ Midnight:  Dazed and Confused
SUN 6/18 @ 2p:  2001: A Space Odyssey
SUN 6/18 @ 7:15p:  Field of Dreams (Father’s Day)
WED 6/21 @ 7:15p:  Badlands
SAT 6/24 @ 10a:  A Monster Calls (2016)
WED 6/28 @ 7:15p:  North by Northwest

MURRAYFEST, May 12-14
FRI MAY 12:
7:15p:  Broken Flowers
9:30:  Groundhog Day

SAT MAY 13:
10a: Fantastic Mr Fox
2p: Ghostbusters
4:30p: Meatballs
7:15p: Stripes
9:30p: Quick Change
Midnight: Caddyshack

SUN MAY 14:
4:30p: Caddyshack (Encore)
7:15p: Lost in Translation
9:30p: Kingpin

March through June special programming is available to view and download at byrdtheatrefoundation.com, under the “Events” menu.

In 2007, the Byrd Theatre Foundation, a 501(c)(3) organization, was formed to purchase, preserve, and maintain the historic Byrd Theatre, which opened in 1928. The Foundation is executing a revitalization plan to achieve the vision of elevating the Byrd’s landmark position among American theaters as a center for film that continues to provide the broadest possible public access to exceptional cinematic experiences.

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Contact: Grant Mizell, Programming
Byrd Theatre Foundation
Email: gmizell@thebtf.org
Phone: 804.986.9564