Downtown Birmingham theatre converts to immersive haunted attraction
BIRMINGHAM, Mich. (CBS DETROIT) -- A historic theatre in downtown Birmingham is getting a spooky transformation.
The Birmingham 8, owned by Emagine Entertainment, is taking the time warp back to the Victorian era to become a haunted theatre attraction for the month of October. The theatre will take a break from showing movies during this time.
According to Emagine, the attraction features 11 different 'chilling areas' of the theatre, including several spaces in the building never seen before by the public. Each area will be uniquely themed and staffed by professional actors looking to scare your socks off!
The "Ghosts on the Balcony" experience will run daily from Oct. 1 through the 30th, and there's a haunt for everyone! There will be family-friendly tours (ages 5-12) Friday though Sunday from 2 p.m. until 5 p.m., which last 30 minutes. The adult tours (ages 13 and over) are held Sunday through Thursday from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m., and on Friday and Saturday from 7 p.m. until 1 a.m. The adult tours last an hour.
Guests will be able to purchase food and drinks (including adult beverages for those 21+) from the concession stand and at various stops throughout the experience. For a link to the food and drink menu, click here. Birmingham 8 is on Old Woodward Avenue, just south of Maple Road.
The building's origin began with construction late in 1926 as part of the Kunsky Circuit, who opened two nearby theatres that same year in Redford and Royal Oak. Birmingham's theatre wasn't finished until the following year; however, due to a widening project of Woodward Avenue.
It started off as a playhouse with a single-screen and underwent several renovations and changes of ownership before being remodeled as a full 8-screen movie theatre in the 1980s. Emagine Entertainment bought the theatre in February, 2021.
