New theater sets gold standard for silver screen

BOLINGBROOK -- The most luxurious -- and expensive -- movie theater in Will County will open Friday at the Promenade mall.

Gold Class Cinemas mixes movies, dinner and a bar/lounge all in one opulent setting. The theater features a swanky hotellike lobby; incredibly plush, wide recliner chairs in the theaters; fancy food; an extensive beer, wine and drink menu; and an attentive wait staff. It even has popcorn and candy.

"This is the ultimate fusion of film, wine and movies," said Rob Goldberg, the company's chief operating officer.

Gold Class also has a ticket price of $22 per person. Food and alcoholic beverages cost extra. Soda and refills are included in the ticket price, however.

The theater had a mock opening last week for friends, family and media to allow the staff to train and get ready for the real opening Friday.

"I like the environment. I think it's beautiful," said Debra Brownlee of Romeoville as she sat in the lounge perusing a menu. "And so far the service is really good."

Brownlee said it didn't really feel like a theater lobby.

"The seating is comfortable and the candlelight makes it cozy, very nice," she added.

Guests who took the escalator up to the second-floor lobby checked in at the concierge desk where they picked up tickets and started a mock tab for food and drinks. A long enticing bar flanks one wall. Groupings of chocolate and orange furniture are sprinkled throughout the lounge area, which is dimly lit with votive candles and recessed lighting.

After ordering food in the lounge, patrons are escorted into their respective theaters, which resemble big living rooms filled with plush, extra wide, fully reclining orange seats in groupings of two. The outside arm of the seat is hollow to allow storage for coats and purses.

Each recliner set is surrounded by enough space to allow wait staff to quietly crouch as they deliver food and drinks and remove empty dishes while movies are playing. Each theaters have either 32 or 40 numbered seats. Tickets are seat specific.

The seats recline electronically with a button so guests can watch flicks with their feet in the air. A call button can be pushed to summon staff who will provide blankets and pillows. Black cloth napkins adorn each seat and the food is served on glassware.

The theater's 5.1 Dolby digital sound system produces teeth rattling sound, and movies are shown in 35-mm digital projection that can accommodate Real-D 3-D. Shortly before the movie is over, staffers present guests with their final credit card bill for a signature.

Gold Class Cinemas was founded in Australia in 1997 by Village Roadshow. By mid-2010, there will be six locations, the company's Goldberg said. Even with the recession, Goldberg said the chain can succeed.

"People always desire escapism and more so at an economic time like this," he said via e-mail. "Gold Class offers an affordable way to have a great time with dinner and a movie all under one roof."

Guests who enjoyed Tuesday's free movie showings and food during the training week loved their experience. But they also said the high prices would make the theater a place to go for special events or celebrations, not routine outings.

"It's very nice," said Vi Blaha as she sat in the lounge with her husband, Rich. "It's plush. I like the smallness of it. It looks like every seat is going to be a good seat."

The Darien woman also liked that fact that each seat had plenty of space around it.

"You're not sitting and bumping elbows with your neighbor, so having your dinner is going to be very nice" she added.

Blaha said she had never gone to an upscale theater that serves meals before, though there are others in the region.

"This is a first-time experience for the whole thing," she said.

Mel and Margie Oftedahl of Bolingbrook said they had been to another upscale dinner/movie theater before, but it wasn't as plush as Gold Class. They said they would consider the theater for special events or for outings with other couples.

"I like it that we weren't crowded," Margie said. "You're not packed in here with a whole lot of other people. The ambiance is just different."

After watching the movie "Transformers," Mel was almost completely stretched out in his recliner.

"I was afraid he'd fall asleep, but he didn't," Margie said.