PEABODY — Peabody’s Black Box Theater is ramping up plans for what it hopes will be the beginning of a return to normalcy.
Beginning Monday, the Black Box will have expanded capacity in its theater, setting the stage to begin bringing back some of its most popular events.
That will begin with a visit and photo session with the Easter Bunny on Saturday, April 3 from 1:30 to 4:15 p.m. The event is sponsored by Salem Five Bank and Aspire Developmental Services.
Black Box is also sponsoring an 1980s Throwback Movie Night series during April vacation. The series begins on Friday, April 23 at 7 p.m. with “Ghostbusters,” the 1984 classic starring Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd and Sigourney Weaver.
“We are so excited that the state COVID reopening plans will allow us to increase capacity in the Black Box beginning on Monday,” said Black Box Events Coordinator Lisa Geczi. “We have spent the last weeks measuring, planning and plotting different configurations and we are ready to help people with planning their next iconic event.”
Geczi said the theater will be able to hold approximately 55 guests for most events, which is about half of its normal pre-COVID capacity.
“We still can’t have cocktail-style settings, but our guests say they are extremely comfortable and feel safe at their own tables, which are cabaret-style,” said Geczi. “We are just thrilled to be back hosting events and are looking forward later this month to be able to start up with wedding and anniversary celebrations.
“We’re back to hosting dance and theater groups and we want everyone to know that it’s safe as we run an extremely tight ship.”
While disappointed that the Salem Film Festival is not returning to the Black Box, Geczi says she is confident the event will be back next year.
“Had we had a little more advance notice we might have been able to pull it off,” she said. “We offered them some space for if they needed it, but it just didn’t work out in terms of timing, and that’s okay, we totally understand.”
The Black Box hosted the festival for the first time two years ago. The 2020 event was canceled due to the pandemic.
Geczi said Black Box is currently working on a couple of Mother’s Day events.
“We have some ideas and hope to be able to announce something soon,” Geczi said.
The Easter Bunny will travel down Main Street to the Foster Street theater via fire engine, starting at the Stop & Shop.
“It will be great, our sponsors will be giving away treats and goodies and swag bags, so it will really be a little community feel-good day,” said Geczi. “It’s similar to what the malls do in terms of the photos, but we are way cooler than the mall.”
A limited number of tickets is available. Tickets for a group of no more than four persons are $10 apiece. Two tickets are required for groups of more than four.
Additional movie matinees are scheduled for Saturday, April 24 and Sunday April 25 at 2 p.m. A limited number of tickets is available for all three movies at a cost of $7 per person per movie, which includes a choice of soda or water along with a bag of popcorn.
For more information about coming events at the Black Box, email the theater at [email protected].
