The oldest continuously running off-Broadway theatre in New York City, the Cherry Lane Theatre recently called in Francois Godfrey, President and COO at Moving iMage Technologies, to facilitate A/V upgrades.
The building was originally a farm silo, and has also served as a brewery, tobacco warehouse and box factory before being converted into a theatre and christened the Cherry Lane Playhouse.
The 167-seat venue was acquired by an independent entertainment company in 2022, with the new owners moving to renovate the theatre with updates to the technical equipment, new seating, a new film projector and screen, and an upgraded lobby.
The goal was to blend Cherry Lane’s rich theatrical legacy with cutting-edge technology, offering a premier venue for both film screenings and live performances with a full-service restaurant and bar in the lobby.
‘Management at the theatre was very clear that every element had to be carefully selected to enhance both cinema and live performances,’ Godfrey says. ‘When we were considering amplifiers, LEA Professional’s Cinema Digital Series were at the top of the list.’
Moving iMage Technologies installed Cinema Digital Series 704 amplifiers, with LEA Cloud providing remote control and monitoring of amplifiers.
Moving iMage Technologies’ expertise in out-of-home entertainment environments is evident in the sophisticated design employed at the venue. The custom engineering approach includes a motorised Stewart Screen and QSC Speaker Lift system that transitions between film and performance configurations. The immersive audio system, featuring the APX AuroMax processor, and premium camera systems for live streaming, further enhance the venue’s capabilities.
‘We were thrilled to help transform Cherry Lane into a top-tier destination for film lovers and performing arts audiences,’ Godfrey says. ‘LEA’s Cinema Digital Series is a perfect fit for theatres of all sizes, and immerses moviegoers in lush audio like never before.’