The Byrd Theater
- sarahwilk24
- Apr 29, 2022
- 2 min read
Updated: Jul 19
The Grand Budapest Hotel
1,676 pieces | Unbranded: 10547
Assembled by Sarah Wilkinson, May 2025
Interaction Rating: 4 / 5 (interaction with the set is encouraged, but use extra care)
April 30, 2022
On April 30, 2022, Hunter and Sarah watched the Grand Budapest Hotel. This Wes Anderson film tells the story of a hotel concierge and lobby boy who find themselves at the center of an unexpected murder mystery, at the Byrd Theatre. It was their first time at that theatre together, and they both admired the aged opulence of the place. As they learned, going to this theatre has the added benefit of experiencing the Mighty Wurlitzer Organ, which Bob Gulledge plays at the beginning of each film.
Howl's Moving Castle
1,219 pieces | Bricklink: X214
Assembled by Vanessa Reyes, February 2025
Interaction Rating: 2 / 5 (interaction with the set is discouraged unless an experienced builder is helping)
To view the brick set associated with Howl's Moving Castle, be sure to visit the Anime Table outside!
May 14, 2022
The couple loved their first experience at the Byrd Theatre so much that they decided to go back and watch Howl's Moving Castle, a Miyazaki film produced by Studio Ghibli. It's an animated fantasy film about a young milliner named Sophie who befriends a wizard, Howl, who lives in a magical flying castle. A jealous witch casts a spell on her, causing her to age prematurely. Howl must use all his magical talent to battle the witch, break the spell, and return Sophie to her youth. Hunter had seen the movie before, but Sarah hadn't. To preface Howl's Moving Castle, Bob serenaded the audience with the Harry Potter theme song on The Mighty Wurlitzer Organ. After the movie, Sarah and Hunter grabbed a giant baked potato from Jason's Deli. They met Sarah's sister, Emma, for a "Bans Off Our Bodies" rally to protest the Supreme Court threat to Roe v. Wade (which, unfortunately, proved futile). It was Hunter's first protest, and he'd later volunteer for Planned Parenthood on his initiative, helping to get out the vote in support of candidates who supported a woman's right to make her own healthcare decisions.
The interior of the Byrd Theatre is cloaked in velvety red from top to bottom.
