Now that mid terms are over and you have a minute or 90 to unwind, venture to the Esquire Theatre, one of the most entertaining venues in Denver.
The Esquire Theatre, tucked away near the busy intersection of Downing and 6th Avenue and easily accessible using the RTD buses, rarely has the hottest blockbuster posters stapled to its side. The small 80s-style theater with a large, brightly colored name boasts advertisements of each year’s Oscar front-runners and other recently released independent and critically acclaimed films.
The Esquire is a specialty amongst Denver’s independent theaters. The Esquire is no old, stuffy attraction — in fact, some film fans may call it one of the most entertaining venues in Denver. In addition to their normally scheduled limited release films, the Esquire hosts midnight showings of interactive cult classics.
This summer, the theater will be screening a number of cult classics with interactive traditions every weekend through July in collaboration with Westword, The Onion and Denver 3. Titles include “The Room,” “The Goonies,” “Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind” and “The Rocky Horror Picture Show.” “The Big Lebowski” will be shown on Friday and Saturday.
“The Rocky Horror Picture Show” has long been known as a fan favorite through the years and receives several midnight showings a year at the Esquire. This summer, it will be given four screenings with an interactive live shadow cast, Colorado’s Elusive Ingredient, who determine how the show runs each night.
Freshman Hailey Eveatt is a longtime fan of “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” and has attended screenings of the film before.
“The screenings are just a lot of fun,” said Eveatt. “Everyone is dressed up, singing along and just having an overall good time. Everybody loves the show just as much as you do.”
Many dress up for the showings, with lingerie and heels as popular attire. The shows are interactive. “Rocky Horror Picture Show virgins” are marked with a bright “V” of red lipstick on their foreheads.
Similar to “The Rocky Horror Picture Show,” “The Room” is another interactive cult film that will be receiving four midnight showings at the Esquire this summer.
Traditions include tossing a football during the movie, quoting the film’s many infamous lines and throwing handfuls of spoons at the screen.
The Esquire Theatre originally opened in 1927 and began operating under independent film distributor Landmark Theatres in 1980.
Landmark currently runs five theaters in the Denver metro area, including the popular Greenwood Village location known for its unlimited drinks and popcorn.
The Esquire is located at 590 Downing Street, easily accessed with the RTD bus system. For more information and show times, visit www.landmarktheatres.com or call (303) 352-1992.
