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Lutural ')asis

Maple Theater delights lovers of the silver screen with films and food.

IA

hen it comes to the silver screen,
patrons around the region opt
for the Maple Theater where the
most interesting, edgy and culturally sig-
nificant films have a comfortable showcase
enhanced by state-of-the-art film projec-
tion and sound on three separate screens.
Once more, its newly renovated bar and
kitchen allow people to talk movies with
friends and strangers even if they never
buy a ticket.
"This is an amazing place for newcomers
and diehard theater-goers. We work very
hard to provide good programming, to
get the films we think our crowd will like,"
said Ruth Daniels, managing partner.
"We constantly schedule alternative
programming, secret cinema, opera, Royal
Shakespeare series and Anime movies that
our crowd enjoys."
The Maple Theater tops the Jewish
News "Best of Detroit" list again and again.
Daniels says it is about, "providing the
best entertainment experience available
and letting the public know you really care
about them and cater to them."
"People in this area have a special
relationship with the Maple Theater, some
go back to their childhood, like me," she
said. "I saw Grease six times here as a teen
and wound up running the place."
Daniels took a hiatus to launch several
other theaters and came back in 2012 to
become an investment partner with Jon
and Lauren Goldstein and oversee a multi-
million dollar renovation. The trio also
beefed up their reoccurring events.
Beyond the first run, edgy films
that define the theater's taste and
sophistication, the Maple Theater offers
Secret Cinema on three Thursdays a
month. The first week is old Hollywood
flicks from the 1960s and earlier; the
second is an audience choice day and
the winner gets to host; the third is new
Hollywood, films from 1968 to present.
Celebrity hosts for these retro nights
include Elliot Wilhelm, curator of the
Detroit Film Theater, Oakland County
Film Commissioner Susan Stack and other
luminaries. Often 200 or more people fill
the seats for these special nights.
"We've referred to the Maple as a
cultural oasis in Bloomfield Township. The
owners are very open to showing films

4

381JN Best of Michigan • December 2015

Maple Theater has a renovated kitchen.

that people who are discerning want to
see;' said former professor Jill Farber-
Bramson, who is arranging the showing
of Suffragette, accompanied by a panel
discussion on feminism and voting rights.
Customers tell management how much
they appreciate the convivial atmosphere
and special incentives to return. Everyone
receives a punch card that racks up points
for purchases and leads to freebies. A
select group opts for the VIP Club with
single or couple memberships. It includes
tickets to special shows, club seats and free
popcorn, popped onsite in extra-virgin olive
oil or butter.
The most popular part of the Maple now
is its renovated kitchen, a project imagined
and produced by longtime restaurant
architects Ron and Roman, including an
overhead series of vintage-looking, black-
and-white drawings that subtly direct
guests to different treats.
Patrons can choose a frizzled kosher dog
smothered in coleslaw, fresh baked duck
tortillas, a Cobb salad, center cut burger or
a salmon patty on a Brioche bun. A new,
circular bar lets conversations flow among
friends as people debate the merits of
Leonardo diCaprio vs. Humphrey Bogart or
play trivia games over craft beer and fine
wines.
"Think about it: You can park once, have

Film - goers enjoy a variety of special events.

a great cup of coffee, see an outstanding
film and then have a wonderful meal.
Where else can you do all that?" asks
Daniels. I=1

Maple Theater

4135 W Maple Road

Bloomfield Township

(248) 750-1030

http://themapletheater.com

