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ABOUT THE THEATRE

      The Allen Theatre is a classic, single screen cinema and stage (currently seating 282) that traces it's lineage to the early 1900's when it bore the ubiquitous title “Hippodrome.” On or about 1929, new management changed the name to The Astor, which ran successfully until the early 1970's, though through unfortunate circumstances shut it's doors in the early 80's. In 1992 retired educator Skip Hicks purchased the defunct theatre and completely renovated the space, creating a wondrous, art-deco inspired cinema. Mr. Hicks brought the now monikered “Allen Theatre” (named after his father) into the public eye, working diligently to create a hub for cinephiles, musicians, and local community.  Most notably under Skip's management, the Allen Theatre was named one of the twelve best local movie theaters in the country by moviefone.com.  In 2018, Mr. Hicks sold the theatre to Lebanon natives Edward and Susan Felty who ran the theatre successfully until 2024, continuing it's community appeal as well as adding a state-of-the-art sound system to showcase live events.

     Then … professional magician and book lover Michael Cantor and his wife Cindy Vejar purchased the space, adding a used bookstore (vinyl and CDs as well) to the re-vamped cafe adjacent to the theatre. Michael and Cindy are life-time lovers of cinema, music, and live performance and are very much looking forward to sharing their passions and decades worth of experience with patrons, offering the best in classic cinema, theatre, performance art, and special events!

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Metropolis (1927)

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