Masquerade the latest special event from Albany’s Pix Theater

By Heather Crabtree
The Entertainer

ALBANY — There is a myth about downtown Albany that the historic district is like an old Western town before a duel with only tumbleweeds blowing through. But there is life in downtown, including music venues, eateries and, since last January, the Albany Pix Theater.

Since opening, owners Jeff and Robin Mexico have worked to not only present movies in their one-screen, historical theater, but to host special events and add a little fun to the downtown area.

“Instead of just playing movies seven days a week, we like to incorporate something strange and usual,” Robin said.

For the theater’s next “strange and usual” event, they will be hosting a masquerade Friday, Oct. 27, for the special showing of Andrew Lloyd Weber’s “The Phantom of the Opera” (2004), starring Gerard Butler and Emmy Rossum.

Doors will open at 8:30 p.m. and the movie will begin at 9 p.m.

The event costs $10 and includes a complimentary glass of wine or other beverage, served by The Wine Depot and Deli.

Patrons are encouraged to dress up for the masquerade, but costumes are not required. Items from “Phantom” are on display in the lobby.

“They’re just little things that I’ve gathered over the years from different shows,” said Teresa Stout of Corvallis, who contributed items from her personal collection for the display.

Of note are two masks autographed by Franc D’Ambrosio from the San Francisco production of the play. The masks were part of an AIDS fund-raiser, and those who purchased the masks got to go on stage after the show and meet the phantom, Stout said.

On Friday, an autographed manuscript from the 2004 movie production signed by Butler, Rossum, Minnie Driver and Patrick Wilson will be in the case. The script is owned by Michelle Bookout of Vancouver, Wash., a friend of Stout’s. Bookout purchased the script from a man in the United Kingdom on eBay.

The jewelry in the case, which is close to the actual jewelry worn in the movie, belongs to the Mexicos, who have an extensive collection of vintage film items, also visible in the Pix lobby.

“The Phantom” masquerade is the latest in a string of fun movie events.

In April, the Mexicos had ballroom dancers perform for the opening of “Shall We Dance.” In September, the Pix was one of two theaters in Oregon to show Butler’s Canadian film “Beowulf & Grendel,” based on the poem. They also held a benefit for the Albany Carousel project to coincide with their showing of “Carousel” (1956), starring Shirley Jones.

“We’re limited on what we can do because this is our first year, but we we try to do at least one fund-raiser per year,” Robin said.

“Carousel” was part of their classic film series, which runs at 7:30 p.m. the fourth Tuesday of each month, with special features beginning around 7 p.m. The series is also a fund-raiser for Fish, with admission at $5, or $4 and a can of food for the charity.

Filling out this year’s schedule are “The Three Faces of Eve” on Nov. 28 and “The Song of Bernadette” on Dec. 26.

Upcoming events include a Civil War football party on Friday, Nov. 24, with the game live on the theater screen. There will be a $3 cover charge with plenty of food items and pizza.

The Pix will also present “White Christmas” with Bing Crosby the third weekend in December as part of holiday events scheduled in downtown Albany. The showing will also be a benefit for Fish.

If You Go

What: “The Phantom of the Opera” Halloween Masquerade and movie viewing

When: Doors open at 8:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 27. Movie begins at 9 p.m.

Where: Albany Pix Theater, 321 Second Ave. S.W., Albany, across from Two Rivers Market.

Tickets: $10 all ages, with a complimentary glass of wine or other beverage. Tickets are on sale now at the theater.