Lin-Manuel Miranda to Host Screening of KING KONG at United Palace, 4/27

The United Palace (4140 Broadway, at 175th Street) and UPCA (United Palace of Cultural Arts) will feature a screening of the 1933 classic KING KONG, as part of its "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 April 27th. Stage show begins at 5:00 followed by the screening at 5:30.

Screening is a FREE event to raise awareness of the recently launched a crowd funding campaign on Indiegogo (https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/raise-a-new-screen-at-the-palace) to raise $20,000 for a new screen at the historic venue. If the goal is reached in time, KING KONG will be the first film to play on the new screen, which replaces the one that has been in place since the 1950s. As of April 9, they have raised $6500.

"Sunday Movies at the Palace" last month featured a screening of GHOSTBUSTERS with special guests including actor David Margulies and in February WEST SIDE STORY with special guest Rita Moreno. Host Lin-Manuel will introduce KING KONG at the historic Upper Manhattan venue with a stage show, including special surprise guests. Doors open at 4:00 and the Palace Youth Drum Ensemble will perform starting at 4:30.

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:

- May 18, "The Warriors" 1979, 92 min
- June 22, "Manhattan" 1979, 96 min

KING KONG was directed and produced by Merian C. Cooper and Ernest B. Schoedsack. and featured a giant stop-motion ape who falls in love with a beautiful actress played by Fay Wray. It has been called "one of the most iconic movies in the history of cinema."

Guests wearing tuxedos or gowns get a free bag of gourmet popcorn made in brand new machine donated by Lebron Restaurant Supply.

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