If the campaign to save the Rio Theatre had a cast of characters, Vancouver native Ryan Reynolds would surely get top billing.
The actor has been a vocal supporter of the ongoing efforts of the historic Vancouver venue to secure funding and stave off a bid from a potential new owner that could have seen the demise of the theatre.
Ryan Reynolds. Joe Seer/Shutterstock.com.
Reynolds not only urged his Twitter followers to take part in the crowdfunding campaign, but he also was a donor himself (though we ultimately don't know how much he put in--and, frankly, it doesn't matter all that much anyhow).
Though he didn't come in person for the Rio's recent Deadpool double feature screening event, Reynolds did send in a video that played during the show. The video included the sentiments that "Vancouver is fucking awesome." Obviously, we totally agree.
This week, thanks to everyone's collective efforts, donations, and a $375,000 grant from the City of Vancouver, the Rio Theatre was officially saved. To this, Reynolds offered the Twitter-equivalent of a standing ovation:
The Rio Theatre never gave up. So nobody else gave up. This deserves sincere musical swells. #LongLiveTheRio ?? https://t.co/Lzf7j1mtDh
— Ryan Reynolds (@VancityReynolds) August 2, 2018
Though the Rio's new official owner Corinne Lea says they are still doing fundraising to help lower the mortgage, this six-month long ordeal has been gruelling. The tenacity of Lea and The Rio's supporters is definitely worth celebrating.
Cue those musical swells.
