Locals and movie goers alike, gathered at the grand reopening of Wayfarer Theaters in Payson on March 27, to experience the vision of what has long been rooted in family and community.
The theater, formerly known as Stadium Cinemas, was recently purchased and renovated by Illinois billionaire businessman, philanthropist, and co-chairman of Wayfarer Studios Steve Sarowitz. Sarowitz told Serve Daily that he is excited to continue to bring quality films to the people in Payson.
“What we’re looking to do is the same things (Stadium Cinemas) was doing well and build upon that,” said. “I think people are seeing that. I think as Payson and the surrounding communities know what we’re about, there will be a big embracing of our theater because I believe that Utah cares. There’s a lot of families with kids and I think they care about what type of theater they go to.”
Wayfarer Studios is known for its commitment to producing uplifting content, including the 2025 film, “Eleanor the Great” directed by Hollywood actress Scarlett Johansson. The film’s plot follows a 94-year-old woman named Eleanor Morgenstein, who becomes friends with a 19-year-old student in New York City. The film covers themes related to aging, grief and friendship, as well as Jewish Identity.
Wayfarer also produced Five Feet Apart (2019), directed by Justin Baldoni which is a romantic drama about two teens with cystic fibrosis.
Sarowitz, who has been married for 23 years and has two adult-aged children, said that family values mean many things to him. He said that his goal is for the theater to have something for everyone.
“I believe in family values in the sense that I believe in the love and care of parents and children,” Sarowitz said. “I’m a universalist. I love everybody. I don’t care what religion you are, what gender you are or what color you are. I also believe in positivity. It’s unfortunate when you go to movies, you don’t know what you’re going to get, and we (at Wayfarer Theater) want to be a place that can be relied upon. With the theaters, we want to show the type of movies that Wayfarer Studios makes.”
Sarowitz said that there are many films in the works that are being produced by Wayfarer Studios. said that he is excited to show these films at the theater in Payson, while also adding that many films by other studio producers will be shown as well. He said that the focus will always be on family friendly content, which he said is one of the things that brought him to purchase the theater in Payson.
“We definitely share (the city of Payson’s) values,” Sarowitz said. “We want to teach our kids the spiritual virtues that hopefully all parents care about, of love and kindness and unity and justice and hope.”
“I love when people are trying to serve humanity and I see that attitude in Payson. It’s a tough time for theaters right now. A lot of theaters are struggling. I believe that there is still a place that’s needed for families to go out and have a group experience and I really think Payson is a great place to do that.”
Sarowitz said that he is committed to bringing the people of Payson what they want, and said the community has been great to work with. He also said that he is really excited for what the future holds.
“I love Payson,” he said. “It’s a great town that’s a lot about family. I can see that there is a lot of faith in Payson, and I’m a person of faith. My commitment to Payson is that we will keep our prices low and that we will do our best to show them the best movies we can possibly find that are family-friendly,” he said. “We don’t show, for the most part, R rated movies. We will do our best to keep our side of the bargain, and just ask people that they come out and enjoy it.”
Wayfarer Theaters is located at 633 S 950 W. For more information, go to wayfarertheaters.com/payson.
