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The theater where Oscar-nominated films such as "Precious," "Frozen River," "Half Nelson," "Junebug" and "Hustle & Flow" were first seen by an audience will be dark this winter.
The transformed basketball court at the Park City Racquet Club won't be part of the 2011 Sundance Film Festival's plans, as the facility is undergoing a massive renovation. And while the gymnasium itself isn't being touched, so much construction equipment surrounds the building that the festival couldn't set up the usual wait-list and red-carpet tents.
Without the 600-seat Racquet Club theater, Sundance has had to compensate by adding seating to other venues, scheduling more early-morning and late-night movies, and again using the Redstone Cinemas at far-off Kimball Junction.
With only one large venue — the 1,270-seat Eccles Theatre — and screenings at seven other locations, ranging from the 478-seat Library Center Theatre to the shoeboxes in the Holiday Village Cinemas, it's likely to feel more cramped than usual in Park City.
Here's some sage advice: "If you go to Park City, buy tickets," said festival director John Cooper. "This is going to be a year where more wait-list people will be turned away."
Here's what's changed, venue by venue:
Eccles Theatre (1,270 seats): The same number of seats, and the same number of screenings for the home of the Premieres program, where all the big movie stars can be seen. Each U.S. Dramatic competition film gets one screening at Eccles, and Sundance has tried to arranged the schedule so that competition films with big stars — such as "Another Happy Day," with Demi Moore and Kate Bosworth — get their first screenings here.
Library Center Theatre (478 seats, up from 448): The theater will offer late-night screenings every night. The Library Center also will screen a shorts program on "Day One," Sundance's opening night on Jan. 20.
Egyptian Theatre (290 seats): The theater that provides Sundance its signature marquee will have a bigger role on "Day One," debuting two World Cinema films, the Irish drama "The Guard" and the documentary "Project Nim," on Thursday, Jan. 20.
Holiday Village Cinemas (164 or 156 seats, depending on the room): Same as last year: one screen for the public throughout, three devoted to press and industry Jan. 21-26. Three screens will be open to the public on the 27th, and all four will be open on Jan. 29 and 30.
Prospector Square Theatre (336 seats): No changes.
Redstone Cinemas (175 and 193 seats): Two screens at the Kimball Junction multiplex will screen Sundance films between 3 p.m. and midnight on weekdays, and noon to midnight on weekends. Shuttle buses will run between Kimball Junction and Park City's Old Main Transit Center.
Temple Theatre (314 seats): No changes. Remember that there's no 6 p.m. screening on Fridays, as the theater is returned briefly to its regular function as a synagogue.
Yarrow Hotel Theatre (295 seats): For the first time will also offer midnight screenings, but moviegoers are reminded that some of the hotel guests may be trying to sleep.