34th annual East End festival returns Oct. 2–12 with premieres, Screenwriters Lab, SummerDocs and outdoor… Read More →
The Breakers hosted Palm Beach’s social and philanthropic elite as the Old Bags Luncheon™ auction… Read More →
See what’s trending this week—what’s opening, what’s closing, who’s showing, who’s making sparks. Food Scene… Read More →
Pop star’s lawyers say bodycam video would be a privacy nightmare Attorneys for pop star… Read More →
From Lady Gaga to Liza Minnelli (and not on the same stage this time), March… Read More →
Snow-capped mountains, mid-century modern design, Rat Pack lore and desert sunshine — why Palm Springs… Read More →
From stand-up comedy and live music to gallery openings, author talks and Oscar-night watch parties… Read More →
Long before Instagram summers and $100,000 rentals, the couple slipped away to a modest Sagaponack… Read More →
A $32 million estate at 200 Rose Hill Road swaps cedar shingles for concrete and… Read More →
After four weeks of testimony, prosecutors say the once–celebrated luxury real-estate siblings followed the same… Read More →
A Celestial Season: Space Week, Silent Films & Elie Wiesel Anchor An Ambitious Fall Lineup At Southampton Playhouse
If Labor Day marks the end of summer in the Hamptons, the Southampton Playhouse has a strong argument for staying a little longer. This September, the historic venue will transform its IMAX screen into a launchpad with a weeklong celebration of space films, a tribute to Chaplin in 4K, and a personal look at one of the 20th century’s most influential moral figures. It’s not just a film schedule; it’s a significant cultural experience.
Hamptons Space Week | Sept 19-25
If you’re still dreaming of the cosmos after Oppenheimer, the Playhouse is diving into the final frontier. Hamptons Space Week offers a deep exploration of the dreams and dramas of space exploration.
The event kicks off on September 19 with Ron Howard’s Apollo 13, featuring a rare IMAX screening for its 30th anniversary. The timing fits well—this mission turned near-disaster showcases human creativity, a theme that resonates today amid privatized space races and dreams of colonizing Mars.
Next is Deep Sky, a new IMAX documentary that captures the stunning visuals of the James Webb Space Telescope. After the screening on September 20, attendees can participate in a solar viewing, which means actual sun-gazing with telescopes, weather permitting.
For those who prefer their science fiction with a deeper meaning, September 22 will feature a screening of Contact, the Jodie Foster-led adaptation of Carl Sagan’s novel. This marks the 40th anniversary of the book, and special guests will join for the event—names are still being confirmed, but we expect a few that will create a buzz on social media.
Repertory with Bite: Marx Brothers to Chaplin
Amid the thought-provoking documentaries and space stories, the Playhouse continues its “Films Scorsese Screened for Francesca” series with Monkey Business on September 16. This Marx Brothers classic features Cary Grant as a scientist confused by a youth serum and a monkey, filled with chaos, jokes, and classic slapstick.
Then, on Silent Movie Day (September 29), the Playhouse will showcase a new 4K restoration of Charlie Chaplin’s 1925 film The Gold Rush, celebrating its 100th anniversary with the respect it deserves as a national cinematic treasure. Expect bowler hats, dancing dinner rolls, and possibly some tears, even without sound.
Elie Wiesel: Soul on Fire | Sept 30
Wrapping up the month is one of the Playhouse’s most impactful offerings yet: the world premiere of Elie Wiesel: Soul on Fire. This documentary, produced by Annette Insdorf from Columbia, will feature a Q&A session after the screening.
Scheduled around Wiesel’s birthday and 80 years after his liberation from Buchenwald, the film combines biography and remembrance, using archival footage, hand-painted animation, and new interviews. It’s a work that not only recounts history but also calls for reflection.
The Scene & Setting
For those who don’t know yet, the Southampton Playhouse has become an unexpected cultural center since its relaunch. It blends its 1932 roots with modern IMAX technology, 35mm projection, and a social lounge that attracts everyone from Brooklyn cinephiles to Montauk book lovers.
Artistic director Eric Kohn, formerly of IndieWire, designs a program that mixes intellectual engagement with cinematic enjoyment, balancing high art and Hollywood. Imagine the style of Cahiers du Cinéma alongside a top-notch popcorn machine.
Upcoming Highlights (Teased)
More programming details are coming soon, but look forward to:
More unique repertory films
Titles from emerging film festivals
Author talks and industry discussions
(Possibly) a special surprise for horror fans in October
For tickets and the complete schedule:
https://southamptonplayhouse.com
