(PRINCETON, NJ) -- On Monday, April 8, 2024, Princeton celebrated the uniquely 90's holiday known as Rex Manning Day with a wave of nostalgia and excitement. The day, inspired by the cult-classic film Empire Records celebrated the movie's enduring legacy and community of fans it has forged. McCarter Theatre Center and the historic Princeton Garden Theatre joined forces to present a free community screening of the film, which chronicles a day in the life of a record store facing corporate takeover, embodying the spirit of 90's rebellion and camaraderie.
The screening was followed by a post-show Q&A with Carol Heikkinen, the original film's writer and now the visionary behind the book for the upcoming musical comedy adaptation, Empire Records – making its world premiere at McCarter this fall.
Mayor Mark Freda officially proclaimed April 8, 2024, as Rex Manning Day in Princeton. In the proclamation, Mayor Freda states "in the nearly 30 years since its initial release, the movie Empire Records has become a cultural touchstone for millions who have celebrated its spirit of optimism and its hopeful message that a determined group of people can work collectively to defy the odds.” He continues “Princeton, New Jersey is committed to being a thriving and supportive home for proudly local, independent enterprises, including McCarter Theatre, Princeton Garden Theatre, and Princeton Record Exchange, among many others.”
The upcoming musical, set to premiere at the McCarter Theatre Center, promises to bring the beloved story to the stage with a original score by Princeton native Zoe Sarnak. Fans and newcomers alike are eagerly awaiting the world premiere, signaling a new chapter in the saga of Empire Records.
Attendees left with a renewed sense of connection to the film and anticipation for the musical, marking the event as a resounding success for Princeton’s reputation as a home for bespoke and surprising cultural experiences. For more information on the musical adaptation of Empire Records visit www.mccarter.org/empirerecords.
McCarter is one of the country's flagship theatres and a vibrant center for community and for the performing arts. Located on the campus of Princeton University, the company is an independent nonprofit, serving as a nationally renowned, multi-disciplinary creative hub of arts and ideas, offering theatre, music, dance, spoken word, and educational programs for all ages. A two-time Tony Award winner, McCarter's legacy of artistic excellence traces back to the theatre's first performances in 1930. Thornton Wilder's Our Town, Kaufmann & Hart's You Can't Take It with You, and William Inge's Bus Stop all had their premieres on the McCarter stage, paving the way for a long history of collaborations with playwrights to launch remarkable works that have gone on to tens of thousands of performances reaching millions of audience members around the world.
The company is equally revered for presenting global artists on its stages, including Alvin Ailey, Yo-Yo Ma, Samara Joy, Hasan Minhaj, Jon Stewart, Caetano Veloso, Rhiannon Giddens, Patti Smith, Esperanza Spalding, Lake Street Dive, and Herbie Hancock, among many others. Of the 100,000 community members who directly participate in the company's work every year, more than 5,000 are students taking part in McCarter's robust educational offerings in Princeton, Trenton, and in schools throughout the region. McCarter leads with values of "justice and joy, and beauty in belonging," creating stories and experiences that enliven minds, expand imaginations, and engage communities.
Photos from the Rex Manning Day screening of Empire Records. Photography by Roy Matusek.
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