Community helps save historic Webster Theater again
WEBSTER CITY, Iowa — The Webster Theater in Hamilton County welcomed audiences back last week for the first time in 18 months after a fire next door caused extensive damage.
Since 1906, the historic theater has been a staple in Webster City's downtown square, and the community has shown its support many times.
In the early 2010s, a difficult economy plagued Webster City. A washing machine factory, Electrolux, closed its doors in 2011 and moved to Mexico, taking away 500 jobs in the city. Many local businesses closed shortly after, including the Webster Theater in 2013.
However, the public soon rallied behind the theater, proving its importance to the community.
Residents created the Help Entertain and Restore Organization, or HERO. The nonprofit's purpose was to reopen the theater and operate it moving forward.
Community-backed petition fails to save Insect Zoo from closure
Community donations helped save the theater then, and now, over a decade later, the community pulled through yet again for this beloved, historic theater.
In November 2023, a fire in Webster City's downtown brought multiple crews to the area. The blaze took place next door to the theater, and it took crews over three hours to extinguish. Extensive damage was left behind, and standing water even flooded the theater floors.
HERO's board president, Jeff Pingel, said the restoration process was met with a lot of waiting until they were able to begin. That's why it took 18 months for the curtains to rise again at the theater.
Pingel said the total restoration process cost was close to $2 million. While insurance helped, community donations are the reason they were able to reopen.
The theater's front entrance still has a poster with QR codes that link to ways community members can donate to the restoration process. Another banner by the entrance lists the names of people who have contributed to saving the theater. At the bottom, it reads, 'Thank you to all the stars who've contributed to the Webster Theater! Without you, we'd be closed.'
HERO wasn't sure how collecting donations again would turn out since they had asked for the community's help only one decade before, but they were overwhelmed by the outcome.
'The world's changed a lot in a decade, streaming [has] really become a thing and you kind of wonder, would people still want to donate and to help out, and we've come to find out real fast that people want it back,' said Pingel.
The theater's soft launch was held on Thursday, May 1st, with a showing of Thunderbolts by Marvel Studios. Of their 100 seats, 52 were occupied.
Audiences also came out to the theater throughout the weekend.
Pingel said many were shocked by the theater's upgrades. While the building's structure is the same, there are many changes.
Upon entering the theater, there is a new color scheme and wall art. A design by the entrance highlights photos from the theater's history, connecting all different generations of movie-goers. There's also a new light-up popcorn sign above their concessions stand. HERO also wrote the names of different donors on stars and posted them along the doorways.
'It looks dramatically different, but still comfortably the same,' said Pingel about the entrance. 'But then when you walk into the auditorium, that's like 100-percent different than what it was like in the past.'
There's a new walkway in the auditorium, and the seats no longer split down the center. The seats were also upgraded to heated, reclining seats. There's also a new screen in the theater that the board is calling one of the largest single screens in North Central Iowa.
Diesel fuel spill reaches Little Walnut Creek near Waukee
While plenty has changed, some has stayed the same, including their popcorn, which Pingel said is the best in Iowa because of their secret recipe.
They also kept their family-friendly prices. 2D tickets for adults cost $5 and children's tickets cost $4. The price for all of the concessions is between $2.50 and $5.50, and there's even free small popcorn provided every Wednesday.
The Webster Theater has a screening every night at 7 p.m., but according to its website, some movie times are subject to change. They have additional screenings at 2 p.m. on Sundays and 1 p.m. on Thursdays.
New movies start screening every Friday.
There will be a reopening celebration for the community on Friday, May 23rd, with the screening of Disney's Lilo and Stitch.
Scholastic Spotlight: U.S. Academic Decathlon & I-35 yearbook goals
Community helps save historic Webster Theater again
Trone Garriott running for Iowa's 3rd Congressional District
Creston PD search for driver involved in hit-and-run on Saturday
Caitlin Clark hits Carver-Hawkeye Arena again, fans turn out to see
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Yahoo
Avengers: Doomsday Theory Connects Thunderbolts*' Fantastic Four Scene to Doctor Strange 2
A recent fan theory suggests that the post-credits scene featuring the Fantastic Four ship is connected to Doctor Strange 2. The Fantastic Four are set to debut in the MCU, with The Fantastic Four: First Steps coming to theaters in July 2025. The Thunderbolts* post-credits scene generated much hype for the upcoming movie, setting the stage for Marvel's first family's arrival. According to a social media user, the Fantastic Four ship in the Thunderbolts* post-credits scene could be from Earth-838. It was shown in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. The user @Comicodigy posted the fan theory on their X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram accounts. They asserted, 'THEORY: What If the ship from the Thunderbolts credit scene is actually the other members of the Fantastic 4 from Earth 838 coming to Earth 616 after the events of Multiverse Of Madness.' Comicodigy stated that the ship could belong to the team of John Krasinski's Reed Richards. His version of the character was last seen in Doctor Strange 2. However, Krasinski's Mister Fantastic was killed in the 2022 movie by the Scarlet Witch. This has urged some fans to also believe that the theory isn't strong. The user came up with the theory after Kevin Feige addressed the Thunderbolts* post-credits scene. SuperHeroHype previously reported that the Marvel Studios head suggested in an interview with Empire that the Fantastic Four ship at the end of Thunderbolts* might not be the one belonging to Pedro Pascal's Reed and his family. He stated, 'Their ship is the Excelsior, and there is a Fantastic Four ship entering the MCU … But I'm not sure they're the same ship.' This has led to fans engaging in discussions based on this theory. However, the answer will only be provided once Fantastic Four: First Steps arrives in theaters on July 25, 2025.
Newsweek
2 days ago
- Newsweek
Thunderbolts* Gets New Digital Release Date
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Entertainment gossip and news from Newsweek's network of contributors Marvel fans, assemble. Thunderbolts* officially has a digital release date, and it's fast approaching. Marvel Studios announced that its most recent film, starring Florence Pugh, Sebastian Stan, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Lewis Pullman, David Harbour, Wyatt Russell, Hannah John-Kamen, Olga Kurylenko, Geraldine Viswanathan, and Wendell Pierce will be hitting the digital shelves on July 1. It'll also hit physical shelves on July 29, when the film comes to 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray, and DVD. Copies will come with an array of bonus features, including deleted scenes, featurettes, and a director's audio commentary. (L-R) Bucky Barnes (Sebastian Stan), Ghost (Hannah John-Kamen), Yelena Belova (Florence Pugh), John Walker (Wyatt Russell), and Red Guardian/Alexei Shostakov (David Harbour) in Marvel Studios' THUNDERBOLTS*. (L-R) Bucky Barnes (Sebastian Stan), Ghost (Hannah John-Kamen), Yelena Belova (Florence Pugh), John Walker (Wyatt Russell), and Red Guardian/Alexei Shostakov (David Harbour) in Marvel Studios' THUNDERBOLTS*. Photo courtesy of Marvel Studios READ: Final Destination Bloodlines Gets New Digital Release Date – How To Watch We've put together a guide that includes details on where to watch Thunderbolts*, as well as the Thunderbolts* digital release date and Thunderbolts* streaming information. Thunderbolts* – How to Watch Thunderbolts* will be available on Video on Demand platforms from July 1, 2025. You can rent and buy the title on places like Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and Fandango at Home for $19.99 to rent and $24.99 to buy. Where Can I Watch Thunderbolts*? Thunderbolts* will be available to rent and buy on Video on Demand platforms from July 1. The film will be available on places like Prime Video, Apple TV+, Fandango at Home, and Google Play on July 1, 2025. Thunderbolts* Physical Release Date Thunderbolts* is now available for pre-order in 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray, and DVD formats. It will be available for purchase from July 29, 2025. Copies also contain bonus features, which include: Deleted Scenes – Check out the scenes that didn't make the final cut. Door is Unliftable Gary Announcement – Check out the scenes that didn't make the final cut. Assembling a Team to Remember – Spend a bit of quality time with the cast and crew of Thunderbolts* as they divulge how the film's fictional team of superpowered mavericks, misfits and antiheroes was assembled. – Spend a bit of quality time with the cast and crew of Thunderbolts* as they divulge how the film's fictional team of superpowered mavericks, misfits and antiheroes was assembled. Around the World and Back Again – Discover the eclectic locations and astounding production design that helped make Thunderbolts* a rousing reality, including a visit to the sprawling sets in Kuala Lumpur where we join Florence Pugh performing stunts atop one of planet Earth's tallest buildings and blowing up buildings on the streets. – Discover the eclectic locations and astounding production design that helped make Thunderbolts* a rousing reality, including a visit to the sprawling sets in Kuala Lumpur where we join Florence Pugh performing stunts atop one of planet Earth's tallest buildings and blowing up buildings on the streets. All About Bob, Sentry & The Void – Deep dive into the making of three different characters: Bob, Sentry, and The Void – all performed by Lewis Pullman. – Deep dive into the making of three different characters: Bob, Sentry, and The Void – all performed by Lewis Pullman. Gag Reel – Enjoy fun outtakes on set with the cast and crew of Thunderbolts*. – Enjoy fun outtakes on set with the cast and crew of Thunderbolts*. Director's Audio Commentary – Watch the film with audio commentary by director Jake Schreier. (Bonus features may vary depending on format and retailer) Thunderbolts* Digital Release Date Thunderbolts* will be available to watch digitally from July 1, 2025. Is Thunderbolts* Available to Stream in the US? Thunderbolts* does not yet have an official streaming release. However, as most Marvel films do, it will likely end up on Disney+ in the future. What Is Thunderbolts* About? The official synopsis for Thunderbolts*, as per Disney, reads:
Newsweek
3 days ago
- Newsweek
'Thunderbolts' Filmmaker Confirmed as 'X-Men' director
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Entertainment gossip and news from Newsweek's network of contributors Variety has seemingly confirmed that "Thunderbolts*" director Jake Schreier will be helming Marvel's next stab at an "X-Men" film. In a story about Marvel's 2028 release dates, it was speculated that the "X-Men" reboot could be one of the features scheduled for the year. It was mentioned that Jake Schreier had been chosen as the director for the film, though this is the first time that's been confirmed. Read More: New Spider-Man Series Resolves Decades-Old Cliffhanger There were reports in May that Schreier was in early talks to possibly direct "X-Men", including speculation that the reason the director had been turning down work from other studios was to make room for the Marvel feature. But it had yet to be reported that the director/film match was a lock. Promotional material for "X2: X-Men United". Promotional material for "X2: X-Men United". 20th Century Studios The script for the film has been written by Michael Lesslie, with Kevin Feige producing. From one point of view, it's a surprising confirmation considering the "Thunderbolts*" theatrical run didn't end on a high note. In spite of high critical praise and a promising opening weekend, the Marvel film only amassed $380 million against a production budget of $180 million, officially flopping. Of course, the X-Men are a much different animal than the Thunderbolts. On the comic book stands and to movie audiences, the X-Men are a much better-known and proven property. Marvel fans have been waiting for years to see what Marvel Studios would do with beloved characters like Wolverine, Professor X, and Magneto. Few fans, on the other hand, were on the edge of their seat to see the next movie with Red Guardian. Now that we know who will be helming the first MCU "X-Men" film, we still need to wait to learn exactly who will be in the film. We know many of the stars from the Fox X-Men films will be appearing in "Avengers: Doomsday", including Kelsey Grammer, Patrick Stewart, Ian McKellen, Alan Cumming, Rebecca Romijn and James Marsden. Add to that Channing Tatum, whose version of Gambit finally got its chance to shine in last year's "Deadpool & Wolverine," but has never been shown as part of an X-Men team on the big screen. There is also continuing speculation that Hugh Jackman will appear in either "Doomsday" and/or the follow-up "Avengers: Secret Wars". But will Schreier use X-Men we already know and love, or will he introduce us to a brand new batch of mutant heroes? More Comics: Captain Kirk Back From the Dead in New 'Star Trek' Series Robert Downey Jr. Surprises 'Ironheart' Stars with Interview Appearance
