The Plaza Theater — Local services in Maplewood

Up until a few years ago, The Plaza Theater was one of the theaters with a great cost-benefit analysis. In the past, the theaters were clean, they provided various salts, the screens were adequate, and the management and staff were very friendly. However, things have changed in recent years. Not only has the theater lost their friendly staff, salt additions to the popcorn, and sound. They have also lost their identity as a theater.

I viewed a movie (Frozen 2) on Friday (March 6) to celebrate a birthday, and the experience was unpleasant. Moments after my family and I walked through the door, it took the environment of an amusement park. There were several families that were screaming and running back and forth in the lobby. Giving them the benefit of the doubt (because I know it’s exciting and enjoyable to see a movie on the screen as a kid), I bought my concessions and walked into the theater. I sat in the back and the family that was screaming and running sat in the front, close to the screen. The family let their children loudly talk, run up and down the aisle, and do cartwheels while the movie was playing. The staff knew the situation and didn’t intervene at any time. Disgraceful. The movie wasn’t enjoyable because I couldn’t hear the actual movie because of the talking.

Depending on your expectations, if you want to watch a movie without constant talking, low quality sound, and an uncaring staff, then go to another theater. It’s really a hit or a miss with this theater. This theater not only needs to improve the quality of the material items, but also the staff and their attitudes that night. This theater needs to find their identity and how they want to be perceived as a public.

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I love the Plaza Theater, even though they show some horrendously Violent Hollywood Crap. They do show some decent Comedy Film. I think they should focus on that. They would get a lot more business even if they are Dated Films like old Woody Allen Films, George Seigle Movies, etc.. Hollywood is now more Brutal and Savage than ever. People get way too many Lies and Too Much Violence in their Flesh Foods, Corp. TV (Idiot Boxes), Corp. Radio, Idiot Phones, Corp. Newspapers (P.P. & Star: No wonder it is called the P.P.), & Corp. Flesh Foods. Please tell The Plaza, we need more Thoughtful Film Documentaries like "Cowspiracy", "Sicko", "Forks Over Knives" and of course more Comedy, etc. All of us can use laughter in this brutal World. In Genisis 1:29, says that "The Fruit of The Tree and Plants of the Ground shall be thy Meat." Go Strictly Vegetarian & Get Pets To Do The Same. All of Us Can Live Much Kinder, Healthier Longer Lives without Eating the Tortured Flesh of The Innocent. Veggie Burgers, Veggie Hot Dogs & Veggie Chic'n Patties Fired Crispy on the Outside. They taste Way Better then The Flesh Blood & Sewage Versions. Avaiable at Cub, Target, Trader Joe's and Walmart in the Frozen Health...

The Plaza is a vintage style theater with comfortable seating and low price tickets. Movies are second run, meaning they are new movies that are re-released a few months after being shown in a major theater. The Plaza offers a special for popcorn and drinks that comes with one free refill. Tickets are $1 off every Tuesday. Fun place to hang out, and very affordable.

The Plaza supports a local organization called The Lift that provides employment training and life skills to youth on the Eastside so when you buy a ticket or purchase refreshments you can feel good knowing you are making a real difference in our community. The staff is very friendly.

As far as handicap accessibility - the theater is old and does not have automatic door openers but staff is very accomodating and will open doors or offer to assist. The theater does offer seating for wheelchairs with wide aisles and open space to sit. Its nice the seating is up front because its easy to see when you are sitting low, and don't have many obstructions. The aisles are made of polished concrete and wheels glide over easily. There is a slight incline so becareful...