Lin-Manuel Miranda to Host GHOSTBUSTERS Screening at United Palace, 3/23

The United Palace Theatre and UPCA (United Palace of Cultural Arts) will feature a 30th Anniversary screening of Ivan Reitman's classic comedy GHOSTBUSTERS, as part of it's new "Sunday Movies at the Palace" screening series, curated and hosted by Tony and Grammy Award-winning performer/writer Lin-Manuel Miranda (In the Heights) on March 23rd. Stage show begins at 5:00 followed by the screening at 5:30.

"Sunday Movies at the Palace," last month featured a screening of WEST SIDE STORY with special guest Rita Moreno. Host Lin-Manuel will introduce GHOSTBUSTERS at the historic Upper Manhattan venue with a stage show, including special surprise guests and a tribute to the comedic genius of the late Harold Ramis.

The "Sunday Movies at the Palace with Lin-Manuel Miranda" series was conceived after the 5-year anniversary concert of "In the Heights" nearly sold out the Palace in 2013. Miranda met with UPCA Executive Director Mike Fitelson to discuss future plans and said his dream was to present iconic New York films in his community, where the last movie theatre closed in 2011. Upcoming screenings include:

• Apr. 27, "King Kong" 1933, 100 min
• May 18, "The Warriors" 1979, 92 min
• June 22, "Manhattan" 1979, 96 min

Directed by Ivan Reitman, the 1984 classic comedy featuring a cast which included Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, Ernie Hudson, Harold Ramis, Rick Moranis and Sigourney Weaver, GHOSTBUSTERS is about three unemployed parapsychology professors who set up shop as a unique ghost removal service. Eventually, the Ghosbusters are called on to save the Big Apple.

Tickets can be purchased for $15 at the box office beginning at 2:00 on March 23rd or for $10 online in advance at www.unitedpalace.org/events/447-ghostbusters. $5 for children under 12. Guests wearing tuxedos or gowns get a free bag of popcorn.

Originally called the Loew's 175th Street Theatre when it opened in 1930, the theatre served as a vaudeville house and movie palace. The amazing architecture depicts gilded Buddhas and lions, intricate hand-carved Moorish patterns, and statuesque elephants. The last of the five Loew's Wonder Theatres, it was designed by noted theatre architect Thomas Lamb with the interiors overseen by decorative specialist Harold Rambusch. At nearly 3800 seats, it is the 4th largest venue in Manhattan.

In 1969, as the era of the grand movie palaces was in its twilight, the theatre was purchased by Rev. Ike, considered the first black televangelist. He moved his church here and soon after renamed it the United Palace. As a successful "prosperity preacher" Rev. Ike was able to maintain the glorious theatre as he built his congregation through radio and television.

Upon Rev. Ike's death in 2009 his son Xavier assumed control of the Palace. In 2012 Xavier fulfilled his dream of creating an arts and cultural center by incorporating the United Palace of Cultural Arts (UPCA) as an independent nonprofit. Its mission is to transform lives through the arts in Washington Heights, which has few spaces dedicated to performing arts. Over the last year UPCA has hosted community arts programs, provided space for local artists to create and present their work, and hosted events in the spectacular theatre.

Photo Credit: Walter McBride