The Chestnut Hill Community Association’s Movies Under the Stars series returns to the Water Tower Recreation Center with four films on the first four Fridays in August. By coincidence, the first film in the series will also be featured that same night at Mt. Airy CDC’s Moonlight Movie.
“Wicked,” presented by the Chestnut Hill Community Association, lands in the outdoor green at the Water Tower August 1, as the Mt. Airy CDC points its wand at the Mt. Airy Playground for its own giant outdoor screening. “Wicked” is the blockbuster film adaptation of Act I of the blockbuster stage musical, based on the bestselling Gregory Maguire novel, which is itself based on the film based on that other novel by L. Frank Baum. A prequel to “The Wizard of Oz,” the film explores the early education of and — appropriate thematically for these dual screenings — the rivalry between two young witches: the future Glinda the Good Witch (played in princess pink by Ariana Grande), and the future Wicked Witch of the West, Elphaba (a verdant Cynthia Erivo).
Both free events are scheduled to start at sunset. Arriving before 8 p.m. is suggested, so viewers can stake their claim to lawn space. Visitors are encouraged to come early, bring chairs and blankets, and enjoy a picnic.
For the first time since Chestnut Hill’s Movies Under the Stars began in 2015, the Water Tower presentation will feature a singalong, with the musical’s lyrics projected onscreen (in case anyone has not yet memorized the popular score), building to the tense moment when audience members will attempt the famous high note at the end of the showstopper “Defying Gravity.” The public is invited to dress up for the occasion and choose their fighter, favoring pink or green attire. Brooms, gowns, pointy hats, wands, and maybe a flying monkey puppet or two will also suffice.
Mt. Airy CDC will present “Wicked” as its sole summer outdoor feature film. At 7:30 p.m. before the screening, Blue Banyan Yoga will offer a family yoga experience, because as everyone knows, you have to stretch before you fly. Afterward, everyone can use their yoga mats as picnic blankets while they sit and watch the movie.
Mt. Airy began its Moonlight Movies program in 2011. For its first few years the event was presented at Lovett Park, with a screen backed against the Lovett Memorial Library wall. After a pandemic hiatus, it was revived in 2020 by then-new Mt. Airy CDC Executive Director Philip Dawson.
Dawson’s innovation was to stage a film in a different Mt. Airy park each year. This is the first time it’s been on the ballfield at Mt. Airy Playground, with an assist from Mt. Airy Baseball. “We love doing things at different sites,” Dawson said. “It’s really a mixture of people from all over Mt. Airy. People bring out their lawn chairs and blankets, get together, watch a favorite movie, look up at the night sky.”
“Wicked” is rated PG. Its running time is 2 hours and 40 minutes.
The series
The rest of the Movie Under the Stars series is equally family friendly, offering a touch of summer romance on a Friday night. If you haven’t packed a picnic, The Two Street Sammies food truck will be parked nearby with cheesesteaks, paninis, and more. Anne McNiff, executive director of CHCA, expects 200 to 300 people to attend each screening. “It’s a fun thing,” she said. “It’s family oriented, right out your back door. You don’t want to miss it.”
August 8: “Pride and Prejudice.” Keira Knightley stars in this 2005 adaptation of the Jane Austen novel. Come in Georgian period costume, exchange witty repartee on the lawn as the sun sets. (PG, 2 hrs., 9 min.)
August 15: “Shrek” might not seem like a summer romance, but it’s a fun experience for the kids who are too young for Austen, and while not a musical, it contains countless highly quotable lines. (“That’ll do, donkey, that’ll do.”) Expect fairy costumes and lots of green skin. The film won the 2002 Academy Award for Animated Feature. (PG, 90 min.)
August 22: “Rocky.” The Philadelphia classic returns, and is the only film in this year’s series not based on a book. Jog to the Water Tower in a grey sweatsuit and knit cap, or maybe just throw on a headband, tank top, shorts, sneakers, and tube socks. Either way, you’ll rediscover a film that somehow still brings this city together. It’s a fitting way to round out the summer. “Rocky” won 1977 Academy Awards for Best Picture and Best Director. (PG, 2 hrs.)
The Water Tower Recreation Center is at 200 E. Hartwell Lane (Hartwell and Ardleigh, or just look for the water tower). The Movies Under the Stars series is sponsored by Temple Health – Chestnut Hill Hospital, and Kathy Krebs and Rachel Reilly with Elfant Wissahickon Realtors. If a movie is rained out, look for a message on CHCA’s Facebook page, chestnuthill.org, or call the CHCA voicemail at 215-248-8810. More information at chestnuthill.org.
Mt. Airy Playground is 7001 Germantown Ave. Organizers suggest parking on Germantown Avenue and then walking up the steps from street level, or parking on W. Sedgwick Street and reaching the playground via the ramp. Moonlight Movie is sponsored by Temple Health – Chestnut Hill Hospital and Paint Philly, hosted by Mt. Airy Baseball with assistance from Philadelphia Parks & Recreation. In case of rain, check Mt. Airy CDC’s Facebook and Instagram pages, or mtairycdc.org for rescheduling. More at mtairycdc.org/what-we-do/community-events/moonlight-movies/
