The idea for the “rowdy” showing came from the cinema chain, Alamo Drafthouse’s screening series called “Movie Parties” where moviegoers come together to have an interactive movie watching experience. As their website explains, “At an Alamo Drafthouse Movie Party, you can cheer for your heroes, boo the bad guys, shout out your favorite lines, and even sing along with the songs – all in a theater packed with fellow fans.”
However, it was ultimately Twitter user, Mack Shaffer, that brought the experience to Milwaukee’s doorstep.
It all started with this Jan. 31st tweet from Schaffer:
My current objective is to have the @TheOrientalMKE host a screening of @catsmovie. Sign the petition to get it done. #catsforever https://t.co/2CVfQt8q5k via @Change
— The one they call… Mack (@mackzegreat) February 1, 2020
The tweet, with five retweets and 17 likes caught the eye of Milwaukee Film’s Twitter. The non-profit responded to the petition on Feb. 4 with the iconic words, “This did make us paws for a meowment.”
A mere four minutes later, Milwaukee Film would tweet, “Tell you what – you hit 100 signatures on that petition, you’ve got yourself a deal.”
Tell you what – you hit 100 signatures on that petition, you’ve got yourself a deal. https://t.co/tLxFjPDXEY pic.twitter.com/ajtsNupmI9
— Milwaukee Film (@mkefilm) February 4, 2020
A little over an hour later, Schaffer would tweet Milwaukee Film with a screenshot showing that the petition reached 101 signatures. Yes, not only did Schaffer meet the 100 signatures necessary, he exceeded the amount needed with the total number of signatures as of Tuesday reaching a whopping 204.
Milwaukee Film’s response says it all:
Coming soon to a theater near mew, apparently. https://t.co/LWOmPg05nz pic.twitter.com/XTlkSeYGpv
— Milwaukee Film (@mkefilm) February 4, 2020
The screening – which is sure to be at least … interesting – was officially booked to take place on Friday, March 20 and Saturday, March 21.
With a date on the calendar, many of Milwaukee Film’s Twitter followers responded to the Cats Twitter exchange. Our favorite is a tweet from @OhScotty: “Milwaukee’s probably the only town drunk enough to fully appreciate CATS.”
Milwaukee’s probably the only town drunk enough to fully appreciate CATS. Consider me signed! https://t.co/cIizwF3sHN
— Great Scott! (@OhScotty) February 4, 2020
