A recent screening of The Big Lebowski at The Oaks Theater, 40- and 50-some-things were sipping White Russians (vodka, Kahlúa, and cream) at tall tables and sitting next to a shaggy-haired man dressed in a bathrobe and slippers. Another was wearing aviator glasses with orange lenses, a fishing-style vest, cargo shorts, and black socks.
Stop in for a Show at The Oaks Theater in Oakmont
Yes, The Oaks shows cult films — and cult films bring out the superfans. And superfans will show up dressed like the film’s characters, drink their drinks, even recite their lines.
“The Rocky Horror Picture Show, Casablanca, and Goodfellas are all movies that some guests will dress up for, according to the era or theme,” says Marc Serrao, who owns the theater with his wife, Susan, and their lifelong friend Meg Burkardt, an Oakmont attorney.
The Serraos are owners of Oakmont Bakery, another borough landmark. When they bought The Oaks in 2000, the idea was to continue as a single-screen theater. But by 2014, feeling competition from multiplexes, they decided to go in another direction. Serrao’s son, Tony, joined the ownership team — he had worked at the theater as a teen — and they began a $350,000 renovation to transform the space into a live entertainment venue. “We added a performance stage, intelligent lighting, a new projector, and sound system,” explains Serrao.
In addition, the marquee was restored with individual bulbs, rather than neon lights, which allow for the “chase and flash” feature. Builders added cabaret-style seating, redesigned the concession area, put in two full-service bars, and upgraded to leather seating throughout. They adorned the theater wall with illuminated gold oak leaves that originally hung at the Oakmont Country Club.
The Oaks Theater of the Past
The 350-seat theater features a stepped ceiling and a single, 24-foot movie screen. When The Oaks opened in 1938, it was dubbed “The Jewel of Oakmont.” The public was so enthusiastic about the theater, the twin towns of Oakmont and Verona had a parade that ended there. One of the highlights of this art deco space? Air conditioning.
The Oaks “is one of the few single-screen theaters in the country that has never been closed,” says Serrao. “Our goal was to keep this charming theater alive as a gift back to our community.”
A key element to today’s Oaks is a dynamic programming calendar: There are some 200 events a year to choose from. In addition to cult and classic films, the venue features live music (The Clarks, swing bands, piano duos), tribute bands (from the Jackson 5 to Bruce Springsteen to Frankie Valli), film festivals (Fly Fishing and the Jewish film fest called JFilm), Trivia Nights (from general trivia to Harry Potter, Star Wars, or Friends trivia). There are comedians, documentaries, magicians, animals performing stunts, Taylor Swift dance parties, and free family movies. It’s a dizzying array. “We also rent the theater for weddings, birthdays, business presentations, and meetings,” says Serrao. The marquee can even be reserved for custom messages.
Something for Every Type of Pittsburgh-er
The Oaks often pairs movies with the season — Groundhog Day on, of course, Groundhog Day and Home Alone, National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, and A Christmas Story showing during the winter holiday season. October featured a slew of Halloween movies — Young Frankenstein, Little Shop of Horrors, and more. Some movies have themed pairings. Fast Times at Ridgemont High featured a beer tasting with Acclamation Brewing; Goodfellas included a spaghetti-and-meatballs dinner; Peter Rabbit featured a visit from the Easter Bunny and an egg hunt around the theater. Other popular events are “Cinebrunches,” with buffet spreads and goodies from the Oakmont Bakery (naturally) to snack on during showings of Frozen, Coco, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, or The Wizard of Oz.
The dressed-up concession menu has flatbreads (pepperoni or tomato, spinach, and feta), Bavarian pretzels with cheese sauce, freshly popped popcorn with butter and salt, and hot frosted nuts. Wine, beer, hard seltzers, and local distilled spirits (Boyd & Blair vodka, Maggie’s Farm rum) and craft beer (Hop Farm IPA) are available. Movies often feature a drink special, such as the Bedford Falls Bell Ringer (bourbon, ginger ale, cherry garnish) served during It’s a Wonderful Life or the Ice Man vs. Maverick drink challenge prepared for the Top Gun audience. Because The Oaks’ offerings are so diverse, it draws a dynamic audience of theatergoers — one might even say a parade — to the streets of Oakmont. “We love the cultural impact The Oaks brings to Oakmont,” says Serrao.
Story by Lauri Gravina
Photo From The Oaks Theater