Three weeks from today Providence movie will release to select AMC theaters across the country. One of those is the AMC Empire 25 located at Times Square. On opening night several of the actors will be in attendance there, including lead actor Rich Swingle. Here’s his inspiring story of how that night will be an answer to a prayer that was first prayed eight years ago.
When Joyce and I first moved to Midtown Manhattan in 2008 I was coming down this escalator the first time we saw a movie at the AMC Empire 25, and I said a prayer that one day I’d be coming down the same escalators having seen a film in which I’d performed. Maybe I was prompted to pray that night because I had been at the opening of the theatre in 1997. The 25 screens were attached to the Empire Theatre, which was moved 168 feet westward to make way for the screens, shops and restaurants! The 3,700 ton structure was pulled by two giants. LOL! You can see what I mean and a number of fascinating features from the original theatre, which now makes up the lobby of the megaplex here. The grand opening was really something and had a major impact on me.
At any rate, that prayer I said on the escalator two years before I’d even been in a feature film was answered tonight — on Joyce and my 226th monthaversary — in a small way. We saw the trailer for Providence, in which I play one of the lead roles. It’s playing in select AMC Theatres starting February 12, but if you’re not near one of those you can watch the trailer below. The 4K footage looked stunning on the big screen. So, the greater answer to that prayer will be fulfilled 21 days from now when Providence opens in this architectural wonder.
This article originally appeared on Rich Swingle’s website. Rich is a professional actor who travels around the world doing his one man shows. He’s been in 19 feature films in the past six years. Read more about Rich’s acting journey.
Thanks for reposting, Sharon! Sorry the photo is so blurry! When the films change we’ll go back with a flash. 🙂
Actually, I thought it was kind of cool since you are in fact on a movie elevator. It’s artsy. But you’re welcome to take another one when you return. 🙂
Here’s the link to the photo of the giants pulling the theatre plus photos from inside the renovated space: http://untappedcities.com/2014/09/23/historical-remnants-inside-the-amc-empire-25-theater-in-times-square/
Another way this is answered prayer is that Joyce had prayed I’d be cast in a lead role in a film that honored the Lord literally days before I was cast as Mitchell. She’s trying to place when it was and she said it was as we were anticipating the theatrical-on-demand release of Beyond the Mask, in which I play Dr. Bonneville. That opened a week after I was cast.
When we were in Israel in May 2011 (www.RichDrama.com/HolyLand) Joyce put a prayer in the Wailing Wall that I would be cast as the lead in a film that honored the Lord and I was soon cast as the adult lead in Indescribable (www.RichDrama.com/Indescribable).
You are a walking answer to prayer, Rich, going clear back to my great grandparents in Canada and Illinois a long, long time ago……..a prayer that each and every one of their descendants would know and serve the Lord Jesus Christ. Those would be your great great grandparents.