Lemon Andersen, Lin-Manuel Miranda Set for NYC Screening of THE WARRIORS, 5/18

The 1979 cult classic "The Warriors", with an introductory performance by acclaimed poet Lemon Andersen., is the next screening in the "Sunday Movies at the Palace with Lin-Manuel Miranda" series that features classic New York City films every month. It's set for Sunday, May 18, 2014. Doors open at 4:00pm. Stage show begins at 5:00pm. Screening at 5:30pm.

It will take place at The United Palace, 4140 Broadway at 175th Street in Washington Heights, a historic movie palace that opened in 1930 with well-preserved Art Deco and Oriental architecture. The theatre is one block east of the 175th Street A-train station. Tickets: $10 online, $15 at the door. On sale at www.unitedpalacearts.org.

Tony Award-winning poet and actor Lemon Andersen (RUSSELL SIMMONS DEF POETRY JAM ON BROADWAY, INSIDE MAN) will set the tone for the gritty NYC classic with a performance piece during a stage show created by Tony and Grammy Award-winning performer/writer Lin-Manuel Miranda (IN THE HEIGHTS, HAMILTON).

In 2013, the nonprofit arts and cultural center United Palace of Cultural Arts (UPCA) led a crowdsourcing campaign to "Return Film to the Palace" that raised nearly $50,000 in 40 days to start showing movies at the historic United Palace for the first time since 1969.

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. Each screening is preceded by music, performance, and guest speakers that connect the audience more deeply to the movie.

Since January the series has included THE MUPPETS TAKE MANHATTAN, WEST SIDE STORY, GHOSTBUSTERS, and KING KONG. Miranda's guests have included actor/producer Lonny Price; stage, screen, and TV star Rita Moreno; actor David Margulies, who played Mayor Lenny in GHOSTBUSTERS, and legendary filmmaker John Landis. The series has been a hit with audiences from both Washington Heights and the New York metro area, attracting as many as 1,200 guests to a single screening.

This will be the second movie shown on the Palace's new Harkness screen, purchased after a recent Indiegogo crowdsourcing campaign raised over $20,000. Over 50 feet by 24 feet, the screen is the second largest in single-screen movie houses in Manhattan, after the one at Radio City Music Hall.

THE WARRIORS was released on February 9, 1979 when the city was still wrestling with a host of urban ills. The story follows the plight of the street gang Warriors after they are falsely accused of killing a rival leader. They must fight their way home to Coney Island while avoiding the rest of the city's gangs which are trying to kill them.

Directed by Walter Hill based on a novel by Sol Yurick and starring Michael Beck, James Remar, Dorsey Wright. In English with Spanish subtitles.

Brooklyn native Lemon Andersen is an acclaimed performance poet with a dynamic career on TV, stage, and the silver screen. As a poet he appeared on eight episodes of HBO's DEF POETRY, the most of any performer. He won the Tony Award for Best Special Theatrical Event as an original cast member of the RUSSELL SIMMONS DEF POETRY JAM ON BROADWAY (2002-2003). Mr. Andersen has shot four movies with Spike Lee, including INSIDE MAN where he appeared opposite Denzel Washington and Clive Owen. In 2012 the internationally acclaimed documentary film LEMON played film festivals and performing arts centers before premiering on television as part of the PBS VOCES series. His poetry collections include READY MADE REAL: POEMS (2004) and COUNTY OF KINGS (2009).

The spectacular, gilded setting of the Palace frequently attracts guests dressed up in formal or vintage attire. Audience members wearing tuxedos or gowns to THE WARRIORS will receive a free bag of gourmet popcorn made in the Palace's brand new machine donated by Lebron Restaurant Supply.

Originally called the Loew's 175th Street Theatre when it opened in 1930, the theatre served as a vaudeville house and movie palace. The 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 3,400 seats, the Palace is the 4th largest theatre 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 into the building 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 two years UPCA has hosted community arts programs, provided space for local artists to create and present their work, and produced and presented events in the spectacular theatre. For more info visit: www.unitedpalacearts.org.

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