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{{Short description|Independent movie theater and concert venue in Somerville, Massachusetts}}
{{Infobox venue
| name = Somerville Theatre
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In 2008, the second gallery of the [[Museum of Bad Art]] opened in the basement of the theater. The gallery was placed near both the women's and men's restrooms, similar to the museum's first gallery location in the Dedham Community Theater.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wickedlocal.com/somerville/archive/x1658008848 |author=Smykus, Ed |title=Museum of Bad Art Will Open Second Branch at the Somerville Theater |date=May 5, 2008 |work=Wicked Local Somerville |publisher=[[GateHouse Media]] |location=[[Perinton, New York]] |access-date=March 2, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120917195129/http://www.wickedlocal.com/somerville/archive/x1658008848 |archive-date=September 17, 2012 |df= }}</ref> Although the original gallery is free and open to the public, the gallery here is only free with admission to the theater. The gallery closed in 2019.<ref>"[http://www.somervilletheatreonline.com/somerville/theatre/index.php General Info]". Somerville Theatre. Retrieved on March 3, 2009.</ref>
In 2009, renovations included new balcony seating, replacing the original seats from 1914; the installation of Dolby Digital Sound and 24 surround speakers throughout the original auditorium; and a revamped projection booth, containing two Norelco DP-70 projectors. The Somerville is now one of the few theaters in New England, and one of only two in Metro Boston (the other being the [[Coolidge Corner Theatre]]), that can run 70mm film. The Theatre currently operates as a three-screen cinema.
During the closure of the theater due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, screens 4 and 5 were restored into the Crystal Ballroom, a live-music venue and function hall.
==Today==
[[File:Interior_of_the_Somerville_Theatre.jpg|thumb|right|Interior of main theater]]
The Fraiman family, (then operating as Fraiman Enterprises Inc. - now Frame One Theatres<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://frameonetheatres.com/|title=Welcome {{!}} Frame ONE Theatres|website=frameonetheatres.com|language=en-US|access-date=2017-05-18}}</ref>), took ownership of the Somerville Theatre in 1990 and has since made multiple changes to keep up with the evolving movie theater industry.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Matchan|first1=Linda|title=Somerville Theatre celebrates its 100th Birthday|url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2014/05/10/somerville-theatre-celebrates-its-birthday/QBjnPvT0KXk9CDkMx5wtRM/story.html|website=Boston Globe|publisher=Boston Globe Media Partners LLC|accessdate=31 March 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Business Entity Summary ID Number: 042815834|url=http://corp.sec.state.ma.us/CorpWeb/CorpSearch/CorpSummary.aspx?FEIN=042815834&SEARCH_TYPE=4|website=Corporate Division|publisher=Massachusetts Secretary of State|accessdate=31 March 2015}}</ref> Since 1990, 4 screens have been added and digital projectors have been installed, although two screens on the upper level have been restored into a ballroom which formerly occupied the space. The Theatre currently operates as a three-screen cinema. Home to one of the most technically advanced projection booths on the east coast, the Somerville can present virtually any film format - from digital releases to archival 35mm and 70mm film prints.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://frameonetheatres.com/|title=Welcome {{!}} Frame ONE Theatres|website=frameonetheatres.com|language=en-US|access-date=2017-05-18}}</ref> The Somerville also counts a rentable 31-seat "microcinema" among its screening rooms. All screens (except the microcinema) are equipped with 35mm projectors and DCP. Only screen 1 is capable of 70mm.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://somervilletheatre.com/theatre-rentals/the-microcinema/|title=Microcinema {{!}} Somerville Theatre|work=Somerville Theatre|access-date=2017-05-18|language=en-US}}</ref>
The theatre currently operates as a first- and second-run moviehouse, with an emphasis on independent and art house fare. It also regularly hosts live music, dance and comedy performances, with entertainers including U2, Louis CK, Jonathan Richman, Thomas Dolby, and Arlo Guthrie on its stage.
The theatre regularly runs vintage 35mm and 70mm films, silent films with live musical accompaniment,<ref name=":0">{{Cite news |last=Demento |first=Dr. |date=Fall–Winter 1991 |title=Demento Society News |url=http://
The Somerville Theatre is in the minority in the movie theater industry for being locally owned and independent but also operating as a for profit company.
==In popular culture==
The theater's balcony and lobby are featured in Alexander Payne's 2023 film ''[[The Holdovers]]''.
In the movie [[Ted (film)|Ted]], the scene featuring the premiere of ''[[Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace|Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace]]'' was filmed at the Somerville Theatre.
[[Bobby Pickett|Bobby "Boris" Pickett]] grew up working at the theater. His father was the manager. The movies he watched at the Somerville inspired him to write the song [[Monster Mash]].<ref name=":0" />
==Gallery==
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File:Somerville Theater at night.jpg|Following the end of a film showing, audience are exiting the theatre
File:Somerville Theater Front Entrance.jpg|The front entrance of the theatre
File:Concession stand at the Somerville Theatre, Somerville, Massachusetts.jpg|Concession stand
File:Lobby display at the Somerville Theatre with old photos, tickets, posters, and newspaper clippings related to the theatre.jpg|Lobby display with [[memorabilia]]
File:Old sign in lobby of Somerville Theatre with theater entrances to the side.jpg|Old theater sign in lobby
File:Interior of the main theater at the Somerville Theatre.jpg|Main theater including balcony
File:Detail of ceiling mural at Somerville Theatre.jpg|Detail of ceiling mural in main theater
File:Seats and lighting off stage right at Somerville Theatre.jpg|Seats and lighting
File:Auxiliary theater entrance at the Somerville Theatre.jpg|Entrance to auxiliary theater
</gallery>
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[[Category:Cinemas and movie theaters in Massachusetts]]
[[Category:Theatres on the National Register of Historic Places in Massachusetts]]
[[Category:Buildings and structures in Somerville, Massachusetts]]
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