After sold-out premiere, ‘Agnes’ documentary adds 2 showings at F.M. Kirby Center in Wilkes-Barre on June 29
From a press release:
After the first screening sold out in just a few days, the F.M. Kirby Center in Wilkes-Barre has added a second and third showing of “Agnes” on Wednesday, June 29 due to popular demand.
The new 90-minute documentary premiered to a crowd of 1,800 people at the Kirby Center on Thursday, June 23 – 50 years to the day that Agnes struck the region and the theater became one of many buildings caught in the devastating flood.
The film was produced in cooperation with the Wilkes-Barre Preservation Society to note the 50th anniversary of Hurricane/Tropical Storm Agnes, which resulted in much flooding of the Wyoming Valley in June of 1972 and, at the time, was considered the worst natural disaster in the history of the United States.
Though Agnes affected other communities along the East Coast and Pennsylvania, the documentary focuses on the Wyoming Valley, which was the hardest hit by the floods. It includes new interviews, photographs, archived video from local TV stations, radio broadcasts, newspapers, and national news network coverage that has not been seen in 50 years. The film also highlights the resiliency and spirit of the people of the Wyoming Valley and the fortitude that was shown in putting the community back together.
Tickets for “Agnes” at 1 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., which are $10, are on sale now at the F.M. Kirby Center box office (71 Public Square, Wilkes-Barre). They can also be purchased by phone by calling 570-826-1100. There are no refunds or exchanges on prior purchases. All sales are final.
The film was edited and co-directed by Tim Novotney. Bob Savakinus served as co-director, and Tony Brooks served as a historical consultant. It was written and narrated by Alan K. Stout, who is also an executive producer.
“We are grateful to be able to add a second and third showing of ‘Agnes’ at The Kirby,” Stout said.
“The first showing sold out so quickly, and people immediately began to ask if additional screenings could be added. The Kirby box office was getting a lot of calls, as were those of us on the film team. Now even more people will not only have the opportunity to see the documentary on the big screen, but they’ll also be able to do it during the week of the 50th anniversary of the flood. Based on how quickly the first showing sold out, it’s pretty clear that the people of the Wyoming Valley truly see this as a milestone anniversary and that they see the film as a proper and fitting way to observe that anniversary.”
