Survival of the Fittest Building

I went to Crest Theater last night, to watch the Orphanage, and as I sat down I was asked, "Do they have screenings here?" I didn't quite understand the question, looked puzzled, and thankfully the question was rephrased; "Do they do other events here? That's a big stage." Aha! I understood and rambled off the number of events they house in the theater: film festivals, concerts, lectures, and standup comedy performances.

While listing the events, it occurred to me the diversity Crest Theater offers up. In order to survive, and creep towards profitability, the Crest has adapted. I suddenly was impressed with the Crest. I was also, suddenly, and equally, disappointed with the Tower Theater. The Tower seems to consistently bemoan it's inability to compete with the new movieplexs (Oh no! Not the big bad Cine Arts complex on K Street!).

Tower seems focused on their value as a landmark; they foolishly bank on their history as their meal ticket. Meanwhile, the insides are dilapidated, and I don't blame anyone for fleeing to another theater. "Wait," they cry, "it's not our fault! We don't have the money to spruce the place up!" Well, Tower, I'd suggest you figure out a way to augment that meager art film income. Crest looks for other income streams, why shouldn't you?

In fact - call me a bastard if you want - if those who run the Tower are to stupid to try something new, I hope the place does get torn down.