POULSBO — Craig Smith has owned the Firehouse Theatre in Kingston for six years. During that time, he’s sold out some premieres and special showings, but never a regularly scheduled showing.
“We never really sell out,” Smith said.
Until, that is, he began showing “Star Wars: The Force Awakens.” On Dec. 21, the Firehouse sold out its 3:30 p.m. showing of the latest “Star Wars” installment.
“I haven’t felt this relevant since I opened the place,” Smith joked.
The Firehouse also sold out its 7 p.m. showing and Clearwater Casino bought out the theater for the 10 p.m. showing on Dec. 17.
Prior to the start of any showing at the Firehouse, Smith speaks to audience, telling them a little about the movie and thanking them for coming. He’s had several customers say they’re seeing it for a second time.
At press time, “The Force Awakens” had been in theaters only five days.
Over the weekend, the latest installment of the saga had already grossed more than $248 million in North America and $529 million worldwide. The previous North American weekend record was $208.8 million, by “Jurassic World” in June 2015.
Unlike the prequels released between 1999 and 2005, “The Force Awakens” is being heralded as a critical success with an 8.7 rating on IMDB.com and a 94 percent rating on RottenTomatoes.com.
The next most comparable weekend for the Firehouse was around Christmas 2009 when it played “Avatar” and “Sherlock Holmes.”
Smith thinks part of the reason for the success of “The Force Awakens” is its inclusion of beloved characters and actors from the original trilogy, like Harrison Ford/Han Solo and Carrie Fisher/Princess Leia.
“It brought me back to my youth,” Smith said. “There are people young and old coming to see this movie.”
One unlikely benefactor of the film’s success is the Village Green Community Center. Tickets at the Firehouse are $8, but for the next few Tuesday matinees, they’re asking moviegoers to donate $2 to the community center. The center is expected to open in April.
“There’s a lot of small businesses in Kingston that are doing something over the next couple weeks (to help Village Green),” Smith said.
In comparison, the Regal Theater in Poulsbo charges about $14 a ticket.
The Firehouse shows “The Force Awakens” at 10 a.m., 12:45 p.m., 3:30 p.m., 6:15 p.m. and 9 p.m.
To purchase tickets go to www.kingstonfirehouse.com or the box office at 11171 Highway 104, Kingston.
