“Ambrosia!” film premiere in W.Va. to be extended into second night

BECKLEY, W.Va. — According to its producers, the premiere of the comedy film “Ambrosia!” is being extended into a second night at the Raleigh Theatre & Playhouse to accommodate the demand for tickets.

Filmed principally in Beckley, the production will launch September 27 but will play again on September 28 due to high interest. After that, it will play at theaters elsewhere in West Virginia before being entered into festivals nationally.

Members of the cast and crew of the comedy film “Ambrosia!” prepare to film a dinner scene. (Photo courtesy Ben Berry)

Saja Montague, one of the film’s producers, said the production team realized early that opening-night capacity might quickly be reached.

“After the announcement of the premiere, we were flooded with inquiries and realized the theater might fill, though that’s a good problem to have,” she said.

Actress Eliska Hahn, who plays a French socialite in the film, said the announcement of a second night bodes well.

“A sell-out three weeks in advance—that’s tremendous!” Hahn said.

The 90-minute film was written and directed by Shane Pierce and David Gravely, who set out to develop a Hollywood-style screwball comedy. It follows the misadventures of an innkeeper who struggles to manage a house full of eccentric guests and staff.

“Ambrosia!” is produced by Saja Montague, Ann Worley, and Ben Berry. Its director of photography is Justin Litton. Mathew Jackfert wrote the score. Aaron Griffin is the sound recordist and audio engineer. Chris Oxley, Ann Worley, Richard Hendrick, Kim and Jason Vance, and Sharon and David Gravely, Sr. are the executive producers.

Principal cast members, listed alphabetically, include Sandeep Chugg, Eliska Hahn, Kelsey Hofe, Sam Ingram, Afsheen Misaghi, Hannah Moore-Hughes, Robby Moore, Chris Oxley, David Sibray, and Adam Taylor.

The cast and crew of “Ambrosia!” all hail from West Virginia, which Montague said is a point of pride.

Tickets are on sale now through Eventbrite at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/ambrosia-screening-second-night-tickets-1010485809257

Sign up to receive a FREE copy of West Virginia Explorer Magazine in your email twice weekly. Sign me up!