JN Entertainment
avid Trepeck has come
a long way since his
days at Camp Seagull,
West Bloomfield High
and the Maize 'n Blue. His wife,
Carole Ilitch Trepeck, a fellow
Wolverine, says their When Har-
ry Met Sally relationship has been
a successful joint venture.
And these days, the two have
ventured uptown to 211 S. Wood-
ward Ave., where they've just
completed their first official week
in operation at their new Birm-
ingham Theatre. Under the aus-
pices of their company, Uptown
Theatres, LLC, the Trepecks,
along with partner Bill Herting
and their construction crew, have
been putting in marathon hours
to renovate and launch the the-
ater in time for the critical sum-
mer movie season kickoff
"I'm very excited that they're
showing such an entrepreneurial
spirit and were able to identify a
need in Birmingham," said sports
and entertainment magnate Mike
Ilitch of his daughter and son-in-
law. "They've created a niche. It's
something that the community
needs."
The regal, two-level building
boasts eight screens and theaters
that range in size from 65 to 430
seats; tiered, plush blue velvet rock-
er seats (complete with must-have
cup holders); love seats; and tasty
delectables that include Little Cae-
sar's pizza, Twist & Shout gourmet
pretzels, Gayle's chocolates, fla-
vored coffees and, of course, a life-
time supply of popcorn.
PHOTOS BY GLENN TRIEST
The Reel
Birmin am
Above: Sharon Stone and Marilyn
Monroe clones were on hand to
inaugurate the new two-level
Birmingham Theatre.
Left: Carole Ilitch Trepeck says
it's very fortunate that she and
her husband, David, work well
together. Their theater had its
grand reopening May 20, 1996.
"What impresses me is
the comfort of the auditori-
um. The seats are set high
enough that the sight lines
are not interrupted," says
Milt London, a Birmingham
resident for 38 years who re-
members the Birmingham
Theatre evolution pre-
Trepecks.
`The theater is very luxu-
rious. Every seat is a great
seat. It's an architectural
Green Fields
Rabbi Joe Black
Slipped A Discus
The 1937 Yiddish comedy/drama
stars the young Herschel Bernardi.
Presented by Sinai Hospital's Pro-
Direct from
11,1inneapolis, the
singer/guitarist/corn-
poser performs a fami-
ly concert with pianist
Mark Bloom. Adat
Shalom Synagogue.
(810) 85 ---
:
Second City's kicking off the
Sun., 7:30 p.m.,
Maple-Drake JCC;
Mon., 12:45 p.m.,
J JCC
gram for Holocaust Survivors, Farni-
lies and Friends. (810) 356-6668.
.
Tues . 7 pm-
summer with its newest
comedy revue. 2301 Wood-
ward, Detroit.
(313) 965-2222.
Wed., Thurs., Sun.,
8 p.m.;
Fri.-Sat.,
8 & 10:30 p
Bubbe Meises,
Bubbe Stories
Written and performed by
Ellen Gould, this one-woman
musical play is a tribute to
Thurs., 7:30 p.m.
jewel," adds London, whose fami-
ly owned and operated the Glad-
win Theatre more than 72 years
ago.
Besides offering a mix of fami-
ly, art and mainstream films, the
Birmingham Theatre will pre-
mier, sometime in July, its Film
Discussion group. Spearheaded
by General Manager Ruth
Daniels, former manager of the
Maple Theatres, the Film Dis-
cussion Group is slated to be held
weekly in conjunction with next-
door-neighbor Lonestar Coffee Co.
Special evenings spotlighting in-
dustry experts will also be sched-
uled. In addition, Daniels plans
birthday-party packages and pri-
vate functions.
So, if you're looking to see a real
classic this weekend, check out
the Birmingham Theatre. It's a
reel sight after 69 years. ❑
— Julie Yolks
Walk & Squawk
"They Do It With Mirrors."
Hilary Ramsden's one-woman
performance about identity,
illusion and rabbit stew returns
to 1515 Broadway, Detroit.
(313) 965-1515.
her immigrant grandmoth-
ers. Temple I,Tael, West
Bloomfield. (810) 661-5700.
Thurs.-Sat., 8 p.m.;
Sun., 4 p.m.
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