The Melba since 1939 · Downtown Batesville
The magic of the lone screen
A grand 1870 building, reborn in 1939 as Arkansas's first Cinemascope theater — one lone screen, and a whole town's worth of memories.
An Important Update from the Melba
We'll be back.
Friends,
We've missed you, and we know many of you have been asking when the Melba will reopen.
The honest answer is that we don't know yet. The Halloween night fire left heavy smoke damage throughout the theater, affecting our projector, walls, seats, carpet, and other contents. Until that's addressed, our doors will stay closed.
We're currently waiting to hear from the Health Department and our insurance, and professionals are working on estimates for the repairs. As soon as we have answers, you'll be the first to know.
While you're thinking of us, please also remember our downtown neighbors who were affected by the fire, especially our friends at Studio Salon, who suffered a major loss. If you're able, show them some love and support as they work to rebuild.
We're all in this together.
All showtimes are paused until the theater is cleaned, repaired, and cleared to reopen.
Our Story
A lifelong love, restored.
Adam Curtwright's first job was at the Melba. Decades later, he couldn't shake the pull of the lone screen.
Together with his wife Mandi and Joe and Janelle Shell, they spent a year restoring the theater and reopened it in August 2016.
"This is not a money deal for us. We love this theater and we want the community to enjoy it for years to come"
Be Part of the Melba
Save my seat.
Celebrate family, friends, a business, or the memory of a loved one by naming a seat in the historic Melba. Your brass plaque stays for the life of the seat.
