Arts & Culture in Lyndon

While its performances of A Christmas Carol and A Christmas Story have few reviews, five Yelpers give Actors Theatre a 4.5-star average, and four TripAdvisors give an average of four owl eyes. The theatre has more than 6,000 Facebook fans:

Nearly three decade ago, New Orleans transplant Sharon Potter became so enamored with her new hometown of Kentucky that she raised 1.2 million dollars to assemble and present her own 4,000-image slideshow, KentuckyShow!, which celebrated the state’s unique beauty, culture, and history. In 2003 Potter was approached by the Louisville Convention and Visitors Bureau about the possibility of updating the visual spectacle and rose to the challenge with the help of seasoned producer Donna Lawrence and graphic designer Julius Friedman. The updated 32-minute documentary now amazes audiences with new high-definition images of the Bluegrass State, as well as narration by Hollywood starlet Ashley Judd and director’s commentary by Kentucky’s state bird, the northern cardinal.

Today, local and out-of-state visitors—enjoying jaw-dropping views of Kentucky’s gorgeous landscape and meeting some of the commonwealth’s most memorable characters from past and present—come to the Kentucky Center for the Performing Arts to feast their eyes on KentuckyShow!. Renée S. Gordon of the Philadelphia Sun referred to the majestic video tour as “an outstanding overview of the state’s multicultural history.”

At Theatres of Georgetown, seven bright screens, booming speakers, and the thrum of cooking popcorn kindle guests' imaginations for nights of cinematic excitation. In preparation for celluloid adventures, moviegoers stroll past a concession stand bustling with staffers coaxing popped corn kernels into buckets and loading cups with sips of effervescing soda in preparation for coming film fiestas. Each theater’s stadium seating facilitates clear sightlines to enjoy current spectacles in wide release or the slideshow of the projectionist's trip to Pismo Beach. A friendly, outgoing staff mans the many stations of the theater and dons costumes of their favorite characters for big film releases, parading into the streets to generate a fervor for Theatres of Georgetown's next midnight showing or themed phantasmagoria.

Cinematic drama, action, and romance soar across 130 all-digital screens at Movie Tavern's 16 locations in seven states. With the latest first-run releases and triweekly showings of Retro Cinema classics, its theaters entertain with the chases and hijinks churned out by Hollywood’s dream factories. Viewers can pair their flicks with frothy brews, a choice of wines, or items from a menu stocked not just with staples like popcorn and candies, but also with grill-seared burgers, homemade pizzas, and chef-inspired appetizers. All sweet and savory selections can be delivered to a tabled seat inside the theater after placing an order with your server.

Movie Tavern shakes up the traditional theater experience with more than its food, varied beverage selection, and table service. Its Breakfast & a Flick shows treat early weekend risers to films and food inspired by classics with dishes such as the French Connection Toast. Its group outings help businesses captivate employees at holiday parties without having to project a slideshow of their personal emails. The Movie Tavern membership awards free popcorn at sign up, as well as birthday movie tickets to it's members.

Audiences enjoy the cultural euphony amidst the Spanish baroque themes of the Louisville Palace. In the lobby, a vaulted ceiling sculpted with historical faces looms above columns swirling with flashes of cobalt and crimson. Once inside, patrons can marvel at the deep-scarlet proscenium or pull out their collapsible telescopes to gaze at the simulated night sky above.