6 - The Michigan Daily - Tuesday, May 26, 1998 Theater addition a 'Showcase' of new cinema trendsi 0 Expansion of local theater exhibits recent advancements in cinema construction with stadium seating and larger screens. By Gerard Cohen-Vrignaud Dly News Editor With the bang of a confetti cannon and the cut- ting of a red ribbon, Ann Arbor Showcase Cinema officials unveiled six new additional the- aters last Monday, expanding total facilities to 20 theaters and adding more than 2,100 stadium- style seats. National Amusements, the parent company of Showcase Cinemas, plans to upgrade its older 14 theaters by changing the seating to stadium style (tiered) and adding cup holders and rocking seats. The construction of larger, more luxurious theaters is part of a wider trend in the film indus- try, theater managers said. With IHollywood producing more films than at any other time in movie history, theater owners are responding by building larger complexes. "There are so many pictures out there," said James Murray, vice president of operations at National Amusements. "This year, they expect more than 500 movies. You really need the the- aters." Theater owners are also adding more expen- sive features to new cinemas and are updating old theaters to bring then up to par. Goodrich Quality theaters, which operates the Ann Arbor 1 and 2, plans to construct a 16-screen complex with stadium-style seating in the Ann Arbor area. "People are flocking to the most modern, upgraded facilities," said Matthew Johnson, mar- keting manager for Goodrich Quality 'theaters. "We're retrofitting all of our theaters to have stadium seating available. It's something that's certainly taking hold," he added. Large complexes first made a showing in Michigan last year, when the Star Southfield was built, boasting 20 theaters with stadium-style seating and other amenities such as a wider selection of food and a souped-up sound sys- tem. Ann Arbor Showcase will now serve pizas, slushies, ice cream and cappuc- ADRIANA r t' i, casno. Larger theater com- plexes have also boast- ed higher ticket prices, but theater operators said movie lovers are willing to pay a little extra for deluxe fea- tures. Upon opening last year, the Star Southfield charged what was then an unprecedented 57.50, while the Ann Arbor Showcase has raised its ticket price to S7.75 for prime attendance time Viewers at the new addition to Showcase Cinema enj( watching a recently released film. The addition demon after 0 p.m. "For what we have - the additional features - people don't mind paying a little more," Murray said. "It makes the presentation more enjoyable." At the same time, older and smaller theaters have become specialized, unable to compete for the same market as the large entertainment com- plexes. Michigan theater Executive Director Russ Collins said the expansion of the Showcase and the planned Goodrich theater will not affect his business. "The mission and market of the Michigan Theater is much different than that off Showcase," Collins said. "Our niche is the spe- .cialty film exhibition. I don't see us as directly competitive with Showcase." soy stadium seating and plenty of leg room while strates new trends in theater construction. Other downtown theater operators agree drawing a distinction between the audience that attends I ollywood movies and the clientele that enjoys more artistic or independent tare. "We tend to draw a different type of crowd than the normal larger theaters," said Jewel Larisey, assistant manager at Atin Arbor theatres I & 2. "We're not going to be competing tor the same films." In hopes of becoming an entertainment mecca, National Amusements officials said Ann Arbor Showcase is also considering an IMAX theater, which incorporates a large* screen to gives viewers the sensation that they are actually experiencing the on-screen event, the screen would be only the second of its kind in the state of Michigan. ADRIANA YUGOVICH/Daily Two employees of Showcase Cinemas don new aprons to serve movie- goers a unique line of snacks, including cappucino, pizza and ice cream. Construction, new business hours cause students summer headaches By Amit Pandya For the Daits Unfortunately, summer brings more to the University than blue skies and sunshine. This time of year, construc- tion and the changing hours of Ann Arbor businesses are causing a growing number of inconveniences to students. Construction sites in front of Angell lall and throughout campus have filled the air with the sound of jackhammers while causing sections of campus streets to be closed or destroyed. Students with vehicles have especial- ly felt the repercussions of the blocked roads. LSA sophomore Marisa Linn, who said she thought she would be happy to finally have a car on campus, said she now "avoids Main Street like the plague" because of the construction surrounding the area. Other students expressed their frus- tration at the headaches of construction. Engineering sophomore Karen Sneider said she was looking forward to a great summer in Ann Arbor but has changed her mind since the machinery started rolling in. "I hate walking around campus now,, coughing up a lung because of the dirt and dust that's flying though the air," Sneider said. The construction being done around campus isn't the only change that has brought negative impressions from many students. Campus buildings and Ann Arbor businesses have altered their hours to accommodate for the changing University population. North Campus Recreational Building Supervisor Bryan Beil said that, due to the decrease in the number of students at the Uiversity during the summer, recre- ational buildings are closing earlier. "During the Spring/Summer semes- ters, the amount of students visiting the recreation buildings, especially the NCRB, has drastically changed," Beil said. Beil said the decrease in the amount of students on canpus provides a con- venient time for ansual building main- tenance to take place at the recreation buildings around campus, consequently altering operating hours. Other area businesses have also changed their hours because of the departure-of many University students. "Our store closes three hours earlier during the sumamaer," said Julie Karroll, a supervisor at Einstein Bros. Bagels. "Business people still frequent the store in the morning, but store business in the evening has gone down." ILSA junior Tal Nuriel said since many students stay in Ann Arbor during the summer to work or take classes, stores should stay open later. "Many stores are losing business from students like myself," Nuriel argued. "I work at a lab until 5 p.m. and many stores are closed then" Construction around campus has resulted in torn-up streets and traffic backups. The constant sounds of machinery also has contributed to student inconvenienc