FAIRFIELD, Conn.—The SHU Community Theatre will open its doors June 30 for a showing of the latest Indiana Jones movie, Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny, with a sneak preview June 29.
Harrison Ford returns to the big screen as the heroic archaeologist for the fifth installment of the Indiana Jones series, and this time he races against time to retrieve a legendary artifact that can change history. He’s joined by a cast that includes Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Antonio Banderas, John Rhys-Davies, Shaunette Renee Wilson, Thomas Kretschmann, Toby Jones, Boyd Holbrook, Olivier Richters, Ethann Isidore and Mads Mikkelsen.
James Mangold directed the film, with Kathleen Kennedy, Frank Marshall and Simon Emanuel producing. Steven Spielberg and George Lucas are the executive producers, and John Williams, who was behind the music of each Indiana Jones movie since the Raiders of the Lost Ark, created the score.
Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny premiered in May at the Cannes Film Festival and makes its theatre debut June 30. SHU will run sneak previews June 29 in addition to the June 30 showings, with start times of 4 and 7:30 p.m. both days. The movie will run through July 22, and tickets are $12, and $10 for seniors, students and children.
While this isn’t the first time the theatre, which dates to the silent movie era, has shown a newly released movie, the last one was quite a while ago. That makes this big news for the community and Sacred Heart, which took over the long-closed landmark in 2019 to transform it into a contemporary arts and education venue.
Beverly Balaz, Fairfield Chamber of Commerce president, said a new film release creates excitement, and SHU’s theatre adds to the anticipation because it’s nearby, easy to get to and close to restaurants. “It’s a historic and exquisite theatre; a perfect venue to relax and comfortably watch a movie,” said Balaz.
Matt Oestreicher, the theatre’s executive director, is thrilled to present a new release. “Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny is the exact kind of movie we want to show to introduce our new summer blockbuster series. Patrons can experience it on the big screen in an immersive environment. It also will evoke nostalgia for the many people in our community who saw the classic Indiana Jones at the cinema,” Oestreicher said.
Located in downtown Fairfield, SHU Community Theatre pairs entertainment and education in a fully reimagined, historic, 400-seat venue. It offers live concerts, theatrical performances and films, as well as author talks and learning activities.
“Our live music, comedy and thought-leader series have gained a lot of traction,” said Oestreicher, adding that showing new movie releases will offer even more opportunities to appeal to the community.
He anticipates the theatre will host more premieres and new releases in the future, in addition to appearances by directors, actors and producers who will speak about their work. “We are becoming an artistic, educational and inspirational mecca for our area,” he said.
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About Sacred Heart University
As the second-largest independent Catholic university in New England, and one of the fastest-growing private doctoral institutions in the U.S., Sacred Heart University is a national leader in shaping higher education for the 21st century. SHU offers nearly 90 undergraduate, graduate, doctoral and certificate programs on its Fairfield, Conn., campus. Sacred Heart also has a campus in Dingle, Ireland, and offers online programs. More than 10,000 students attend the University’s nine colleges and schools: Arts & Sciences; Communication, Media & the Arts; Social Work; Computer Science & Engineering; Health Professions; the Isabelle Farrington College of Education & Human Development; the Jack Welch College of Business & Technology; the Dr. Susan L. Davis, R.N., & Richard J. Henley College of Nursing; and St. Vincent’s College. Sacred Heart stands out from other Catholic institutions as it was established and led by laity. The contemporary Catholic university is rooted in the rich Catholic intellectual tradition and the liberal arts, and at the same time cultivates students to be forward thinkers who enact change—in their own lives, professions and in their communities. The Princeton Review includes SHU in its Best 388 Colleges–2023 Edition, and Best Business Schools–2023 Edition. Sacred Heart is home to the award-winning, NPR-affiliated radio station, WSHU, a Division I athletics program and an impressive performing arts program that includes choir, band, dance and theatre. www.sacredheart.edu