This Springboro man helped produce ‘I Can Only Imagine’ — and here’s how you can join him in the opening celebration

Credit: Rachel Ennis

Credit: Rachel Ennis

It seems the Dayton-area film community has been getting its share of attention lately.

To add to the Gem City's growing list of accomplishments in film, Joe Knopp of Springboro worked as a producer on a film opening in theaters this week — "I Can Only Imagine" starring Dennis Quaid, Trace Adkins and Cloris Leachman.

Currently trending No. 1 in early ticket sales on Fandango, an American movie ticket-sales company, "I Can Only Imagine" opens nationwide this week on more than 1,600 screens. >> Search for local movie times here

The film follows the life of Bart Millard, lead singer of the Christian band MercyMe, who loses his father to cancer and inspires him to write the mega-hit song, "I Can Only Imagine."

Credit: Joe Knopp

Credit: Joe Knopp

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A meet-and-greet release party for Knopp at The Greene’s Rave Cinema movie theater lobby is happening before the 7 p.m. release of the film on Thursday, March 15. The producer will be available for photo-ops and autographs from 6 p.m.- 6:45 p.m. Rachel Ennis, Knopp’s manager, said he will also be around to meet fans after the 2-hour movie is over as well.

“I’m incredibly proud to be a producer on ‘I Can Only Imagine,’” Knopp said in a press release. “So many people know and love the song — but few know the powerful story of pain and redemption behind it. This is the type of film that I believe will get people talking — not just the buzz movies create, but really get us talking about forgiveness and relationships in our own lives.”

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Tickets for the first screening are selling fast. In case tickets for the 7 p.m. show do sell out, Ennis said Rave’s manager plans to open a second screen in the theater to accommodate.

WANT TO GO:

WHAT: "I Can Only Imagine" Release Party

WHEN: 6 p.m. Thursday, March 15

WHERE: Rave Cinema, 4489 Glengarry Drive, Beavercreek

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