SUN COURIER PHOTO BY DARVIN GRAHAM - Mark and Shelly Applegate from Marshalltown purchase a ticket from Sandy Raum during the Gladbrook Theater's first night reopened after the COVID-19 shutdowns this spring. The movie shown the first weekend was the romantic drama "I Still Believe".

One week before the derecho storm disaster shook up Central Iowa, the Gladbrook Theater became the first movie theater in Tama County to reopen for showings after the COVID-19 pandemic shutdowns were enacted in March.

Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds announced on May 20 that movie theaters in the state of Iowa would be allowed to reopen. However, the film industry at large has remained delayed with the production and release of new movies due to the ongoing pandemic still active throughout the country. This delay, along with the continued public health threat from COVID-19 has meant the pathway back to normal for movie theaters large and small has been slow and gradual.

Theaters in Traer and Toledo remain closed for movie showings, but like several theaters around the state have opened their doors for popcorn and concession stand sales as a means of capturing revenue while new release movies are on hold.

The Center Theatre in Grundy Center attempted a reopening for movie screenings throughout a three week period beginning in mid-July. A handful of classic films were shown but it was announced on August 4 they would discontinue movie showings until further notice.

Prior to the week of March 17, the Gladbrook Theater had two movies on its upcoming schedule they were unable to screen once the shutdown occurred.

SUN COURIER PHOTO BY DARVIN GRAHAM - Gladbrook Theater staff and volunteers on their first night reopened for movie viewing after the COVID-19 shutdowns this spring. Pictured, from left, Richard Klinefelter, Jo Anne Sash, June Klinefelter, Sandy Raum, and Renee Wright.

21 weeks later the first of those movies, the romantic drama “I Still Believe”, was finally brought to the big screen for moviegoers in Gladbrook.

Although the film had already been released to DVD and streaming services, it felt like a unique experience to be able to walk into a theater and simply enjoy a movie in a theater atmosphere.

Of course, not everything about the reopening process was a direct return to normal for volunteers and staff at the Gladbrook Theater.

Face coverings are required for staff and patrons. Every other row of seating in the theater is partitioned off, cutting the capacity of the theater in half. Hand sanitizer is placed throughout the venue and six foot markings are taped to the floor to encourage social distancing.

Showtimes for the first phase of the theater reopening are also altered to allow for 7:30 p.m. showings Friday through Sunday, instead of including matinees.

Seats at the Gladbrook Theater are taped off to encourage social distancing while moviegoers are in the theater.

Following the first weekend after reopening, Gladbrook City Centre Manager JoAnn Ruopp reported she was pleasantly surprised at the turnout for the three evening movie showings.

Originally, the animated musical film “Trolls World Tour” was scheduled to show last weekend but the derecho wind storm and its ensuing damage and power outages delayed the affair another week.

Though she was encouraged by the traffic during the first week, Ruopp cautioned that the reopening is very much a trial run and could change if the box office numbers drop too low.

You can catch “Trolls World Tour” this weekend at the Gladbrook Theater for 7:30 p.m. showings each evening. A wide variety of concession options are available to enjoy with the movie.