The Merylthon is a celebration of Meryl Streep and cinema joy

The Grand Cinema, in collaboration with Cinema for Good, is thrilled to announce an upcoming film festival called the "Merylthon," celebrating the career of actress Meryl Streep. The event will be held from June 14th to June 16th at The Grand Cinema in Tacoma, Washington. It is part of the cinema's broader “Save the Grand” fundraising campaign, which seeks to raise enough money to purchase ownership of the building.

The Merylthon will feature five iconic Meryl Streep films over three days: On Friday, Doubt (2008) and Death Becomes Her (1992); on Saturday, She-Devil (1989) and The Devil Wears Prada (2006); on Sunday, a rare public screening of the "unstreamable" A Cry in the Dark (1988) paired with a panel discussion. Friday and Saturday night’s screenings are billed as double-features with the titles “Doubt Becomes Her” and “She-Devil Wears Prada”.

The Merylthon is designed not only to entertain but also to spark discussion about the impact of Meryl Streep’s long and varied career. Following Sunday’s screening of A Cry in the Dark, there will be a panel discussion examining the film through the lens of modern-day cancel culture and media sensationalism.

The first Merylthon was conceived as a nonprofit fundraising event in San Francisco, but it has since taken on a life of its own. It is now produced by Cinema for Good, which aims to provide novel, turn-key film festival programming to struggling repertory cinemas. Cinemas are traditionally one of the biggest drivers of foot traffic in the local business districts they anchor.

“The Merylthon is really a third-space event aimed at celebrating cinema while also supporting the economic revitalization of theaters and nearby businesses,” said Cinema for Good co-founder and Merylthon creator Evan Roberts. “The Netflix-streaming, post-pandemic world we inhabit has led to a drastic reduction in foot traffic in downtown areas. But festivals like this can help reverse that trend.”

In addition to the film screenings, attendees can look forward to a costume contest inspired by Streep’s diverse roles, an immersive museum exhibit of Meryl-related memorabilia, an exclusive "Merylthong" artwork and other original artwork prints created by local artists, as well as merchandise available for purchase in person and online.

Wade Neal of The Grand says, “The Merylthon is just the type of exciting community-powered event that elevates cinema and creates a bonding experience for audiences that lasts long after the mini-fest is over."

Tacoma City Council member Jamika Scott, who also serves on the Board of The Grand says, “This festival slash fundraiser not only brings our community together to celebrate the art of cinema, it also helps to foster a more vibrant downtown arts scene. By supporting The Grand Cinema in acquiring its building, we are investing in a local cultural landmark, and ensuring that downtown Tacoma continues to be a hub of activity and growth for years to come."

We invite all fans of Meryl Streep and cinema enthusiasts in the Seattle-Tacoma region to join us for this special weekend festival. For tickets, scheduling details, and more information, please visit grandcinema.com. We look forward to celebrating with you at The Grand Cinema to enjoy the unparalleled talent of Meryl Streep and in support of the theater’s financial independence.