Aug. 14, 2002 – Starting this weekend, cinema-starved St. John residents will be able to see almost-the-latest films on a fairly big screen without going off island — at Fuchsia's Movie Theater Under the Stars in Coral Bay.
The premiere showing, at 7 p.m. Sunday, will be "Lord of the Rings," recently released in DVD format. The film, acclaimed for its fidelity to the classic J.R.R. Tolkein fantasy, won 2002 Academy Awards for best cinematography, visual effects, makeup and score.
The theater-under-canvas, adjacent to Sputnik's, P&B Café and Fuchsia's, is the brainchild of Nelda and Rick Ringsborg. "There's nothing to do here but go to bars," Nelda Ringsborg said as she explained why the couple decided to open a Coral Bay cinema.
Movies will be shown every Sunday night on a 54-inch projection television, drawing from the latest titles available in DVD format. Admission is $5, which gives you a coupon good for that full amount at the concession stand.
The idea of bringing movies to St. John is nothing new. Thursday was movie night at the old Back Door. On several occasions, films have been shown at the Westin Resort ballroom. There were plans to open a movie theater at The Marketplace, but they never materialized. But with no ongoing cinema setup on island, St. John residents have had to trek over to St. Thomas for an evening's entertainment on the big screen, an expensive and time-consuming proposition.
Ringsborg says she'll be getting a calendar of coming attractions together shortly. She also plans to utilize the tent space for concerts. On Wednesdays, it will be anything from blue grass to whatever comes along, and Fridays will feature rock 'n' roll.
Call 693-5188 to find out what's playing next at Fuchsia's Movie Theater Under the Stars.
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