Criterion Theater, Bar Harbor, Maine
The Criterion Theater is an art deco theater built in 1932. It is on the National Registry of Historic Places. The Theater has 877 seats and it was sold out for the August 5th preview of Ken Burns’ new documentary “The National Parks: America’s Best Idea.” On the evening of the preview I was one of the first in line. I later heard the line stretched around the block, and down West Street. There was a bit of a wait so those of us close enough had time to admire the new Marquee. As Ken Burns was seen entering the theater a round of applause went up. Soon the rest of the VIPs (2 bus loads being dropped off by Oli’s Trolley) arrived and the doors were opened to ticket holders.
Sheridan Steele, Superintendent of Acadia
Dayton Duncan and Ken Burns
Sheridan Steele, Superintendent of Acadia National Park, introduced Ken Burns and Dayton Duncan. Both spoke and shared some their experiences from the 10 year process of making this documentary. It was fabulous to hear the stories behind the story and to see the humor and emotion they shared about the project. Just before showing the preview Ken Burns said after all the work of course, they would prefer it seen as a whole rather than in clips. “So we’re going to lock the doors and show the whole 12 hours,” he joked, and he received an encouraging applause from the audience to do just that. But of course we only got to see the preview, which was amazing. So we’ll have to wait a few more weeks. The PBS series “The National Parks: America’s Best Idea” is scheduled to begin, Sunday, Sept. 27.
Dayton Duncan and Ken Burns
Criterion Theater Bar Harbor
ISLAND LIGHT 
I can’t wait for this series!! My 9 year old grand nephew who loves the National Seashore beach on the Cape heard about it and now thinks his beach is going to be in there! Memo to Ken Burns, Any possibility of a last minute edut? I heard about that theatre, too! What a great place.
I think he’ll love it even without the beach. It’s going to be great.
And coming up Ken Burns told us he is working on inning 10 to add to the baseball series. He said, after all, the Red Sox hadn’t won the World Series yet when he ended the original.