The Farmington Civic Theater will screen "Steel Magnolias" on Thursday, Sept. 3, at 7:30 p.m. for $5 a ticket, honoring Dolly Parton after her death at age 80.

Parton died Tuesday, Aug. 25, in Nashville after what her publicist called "a brief battle with cancer," according to WBUR/NPR. She played Truvy Jones, a hairdresser, in the 1989 comedy-drama alongside Sally Field, Julia Roberts, Shirley MacLaine, Olympia Dukakis and Daryl Hannah.

The tribute screening at 33332 Grand River Ave. in downtown Farmington is priced well below the theater's usual $8.50 general admission. Detroit's Redford Theatre is also hosting a "Steel Magnolias" showing in Parton's honor, the Belleville News-Democrat reported.

The $5 event fits a broader push by theater manager Clare Cooney to fill seats with special programming. Describing the theater's appeal generally in an Aug. 23 interview with C&G Newspapers, two days before Parton's death, Cooney said: "It's a step back in time. It's old-school movie nostalgia … You'll get that Dolby sound big screen experience in a quaint, charming old theater, which is a fun treat."

The theater needs the audience. Projected attendance this year is about 26,000, roughly half the 50,000 needed to break even. Pre-pandemic crowds averaged 60,000 to 70,000 annually. In June, the Farmington City Council unanimously extended a $154,000 loan to the theater, due by June 30, 2027.

Chris Weber, the city's assistant city manager, treasurer and finance director, told C&G Newspapers on Aug. 23 that the theater is "not standing on its own right now" and draws on money from the city's general fund.

Under Cooney, the theater has added monthly "One Night Only" classic film showings and a "Secret Cinema Night" guessing-game event. Plans include reclining seats, a liquor license and wood-fired pizza.

Tickets for the Sept. 3 screening are $5. The theater's phone number is (248) 474-1951, and showtimes are listed at thefct.com/now-playing.