STH 2.28
The wait is over! After a nearly five-year hiatus, the Southampton Playhouse has officially reopened, bringing a fresh wave of cinematic magic to the Hamptons. The iconic theater first opened its doors in 1932 but closed in March 2020 during the pandemic. Now, after a complete renovation, it’s back — boasting three state-of-the-art cinemas, including the only IMAX theater in the Hamptons.
The Playhouse’s Artistic Director Eric Kohn told “South O’ the Highway” he has been thrilled with the response from the community.
“Day after day, locals have been walking in with big smiles to express their excitement over the return of a movie theater to their community,” he shared.
Since the Feb. 13 opening, residents have had the chance to enjoy a little bit of everything — from Captain America to Paddington in Peru. The Playhouse also made a nod to its own history by screening the romantic comedy Trouble in Paradise, which first premiered in 1932, the same year the theater opened.
“The audience response was so positive that it felt like this classic film had been rediscovered all over again, an experience that we hope to continue for the rest of our ‘Spirit of 1932’ series,” Kohn reflected.
Revitalizing a historic movie theater comes with its challenges, especially with the rise of streaming services and the pandemic’s impact on moviegoing, but Kohn admits he’s been “pleasantly surprised” by the community’s response.
“Our community didn’t need much convincing, and if anything, they’ve already been incredible partners in the process of bringing the Playhouse back to life,” he said.
The reopening has also sparked some heartwarming moments off-screen, too. Kohn shared that some longtime locals with special ties to the Playhouse have visited to relive memories from the past.
“Joe Lavinio, who worked at the theater in the early 1950s, and Maureen Dean, a cashier in the 1960s, paid us a visit to kick off our first repertory series. Joe, who was 14 when he started working at the theater, recalled how moviegoing was such a special experience when he was growing up,” Kohn said. “It was an inspirational moment.”
Shinnecock Nation will once again host this summer’s Palm Tree Music Festival in the Hamptons, with organizers announcing Saturday, June 21, as the official date for the one-day Electric Dance Music event.
It marks the fifth consecutive year of Palm Tree Music Festival in the Hamptons, and will feature music from Palm Tree Crew co-founder Kygo, Fisher, Mau P, Blond:ish, Coco + Breezy, Tinx & Lucas, Benjamin Lloyd, and Beau Cruz.
Though the 2024 festival was initially planned to be held at Francis S. Gabreski Airport in Westhampton Beach, last-minute permit issues led to a sudden venue shift to the Shinnecock Reservation in Southampton. While some festival-goers are still holding onto their frustrations about 2024’s event, the Palm Tree Music Festival promises that this year’s event will be a smoother experience — although social media commenters still have lingering doubts.
“Hard pass. Last year was a hot mess,” one person wrote on Instagram. Another added, “Real ones who attended last year know how horrible the event was.”
While someone else was a little more dramatic, posting: “Still shaking from the entire thing.”
Despite the online backlash, organizers for the festival — which has previously made waves in locations such as Hawaii and Aspen — are promising an “unforgettable” experience.
“The Hamptons holds a special place in the Palm Tree Music Festival story—it’s where it all began,” said Palm Tree Crew CEO Michael Diaz in a statement. “Returning for our fifth year is not only a milestone for us, but also the perfect way to kick off the summer with the incredible energy of our fans. We aim to elevate the experience each year, and 2025 will be no exception. We can’t wait to bring the Palm Tree Crew lifestyle back to the Hamptons for another unforgettable weekend.”
We hear…
Amagansett’s Alec Baldwin will take the stage for a Q&A session at East Hampton’s Guild Hall on March 1, following a screening of Alan J. Pakula‘s iconic 1976 film, All The President’s Men. Baldwin will be joined by HamptonsFilm Artistic Director David Nugent for an insightful discussion after the film.
Hamptons resident Sarah Jessica Parker will be honored later this year with PEN America’s Literary Service Award for her longtime advocacy for literacy and reading. The Sex and the City star established her own publishing imprint, SJP for Hogarth, in collaboration with Hogarth, a division of Penguin Random House. Parker also served as executive producer of The Librarians, a compelling documentary about the fight against book banning, which premiered earlier this year at the Sundance Film Festival.
Water Mill resident Jennifer Lopez was recently announced as a headliner for the WorldPride Music Festival scheduled to take place in June in Washington D.C. Other artists in the lineup include Troye Sivan, RuPaul, Paris Hilton, Tinashe, Kim Petras, Zedd, Rita Ora, Raye, Grimes, Sofi Tukker, and more.
Sightings…
The Hamptons was well represented at the Saturday Night Live 50th Anniversary Special taping on Feb. 16, as local A-listers turned out in full force to celebrate five decades of late-night comedy history. SNL alum Jimmy Fallon, a Sagaponack resident, took center stage, appearing in a skit and hosting segments of the broadcast. Montauk power couple Colin Jost, the face of Weekend Update, and Scarlett Johansson appeared in multiple sketches. Also in attendance were longtime East Hampton fixtures Jerry Seinfeld, Alec Baldwin, along with Sir Paul McCartney, whose Hamptons retreat has long been his preferred escape.
Meanwhile, Andy Cohen, Sarah Jessica Parker and Matthew Broderick attended the SNL50: The Homecoming Concert on Feb. 14. Cohen shared a selfie of the trio on Instagram and called it the “Best Valentine’s in years!”
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