Copyright Joliet, IL Patch
The "Girls" and "Get Out" star recently attended a screening of her new film at The Playhouse movie theater in New Canaan. NEW CANAAN, CT — Acclaimed movie and television actress Allison Williams returned to her hometown of New Canaan over the weekend for a screening of her newest film, as well as a post-screening event. Williams, a New Canaan native, appeared at the recently enhanced The Playhouse movie theater Saturday evening for a screening of "Regretting You," in which she stars with Dave Franco and Mckenna Grace. According to Cinema Lab, the owner of the theater, guests were treated to a post-film Q&A moderated by CEO Luke Parker Bowles, giving Williams the chance to discuss the film's message and express her excitement about its New Canaan premiere. Williams was joined at the screening by her parents, famed NBC news anchor Brian Williams and television producer Jane Stoddard Williams, along with a group of close friends, according to the Cinema Lab team. Growing up in the area, Williams spent countless afternoons at The Playhouse watching films that ignited her passion for cinema. "In addition to being a great actress and producer, Allison is also a New Canaan resident and is good friends with our CEO, Luke Parker Bowles, and a regular user of The Playhouse," Cinema Lab Spokesperson Andy Sachs said in an email to Patch. "She and Luke wanted to do a special screening of 'Regretting You' at the very place where she saw films as a child." The audience responded fervently to the film, which Williams introduced, and the event culminated in a party in the Marquee Lounge on the second floor of The Playhouse. Over 100 people attended the sold out screening, with more joining for the post-screening party, according to the Cinema Lab team. "The Playhouse's principal mandate under the management of Cinema Lab has been about community," Sachs said. "To that end, we present a variety of screenings both from the studios, the independents and for charitable causes. Wherever we can, we are sure to do it in partnership with the filmmakers or craftspeople of the film, television and theater industry." Past screening guests at The Playhouse have included New Canaan's Alex Coco, an Academy Award-winning producer of "Anora." Sachs also noted Williams has been supportive of the transformation of The Playhouse since its inception. The historic New Canaan movie theater underwent a major transformation before officially reopening to the public last summer. Located in the heart of downtown New Canaan, The Playhouse first opened in 1923. In 1986, the theater added a second auditorium. The Playhouse now features a new pub and lounge, and a design inspired by the warm charm of an English country pub, according to the Cinema Lab team, who emphasized the theater is open to the entire community and is not an exclusive club. In addition to similar special screenings, The Playhouse also showcases the latest Hollywood films and blockbusters. "Wicked: For Good," the sequel to the 2024 hit musical starring Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande, is currently scheduled to screen at the theater in November. Based on Colleen Hoover's bestselling novel, "Regretting You" is a romantic family drama that "tells a moving story of a mother-daughter relationship tested by tragedy, exploring themes of love, loss and resilience." Mason Thames, Willa Fitzgerald, Scott Eastwood, Sam Morelos and Clancy Brown also star in the film, according to the Internet Movie Database. Williams starred in the HBO series "Girls" and has appeared in such films as "Get Out," "The Perfection" and the science fiction horror films M3GAN and M3GAN 2.0. She also served as a producer on the sequel.
