At Seattle’s Cinerama, the wide screen just got wider. After two months of renovations to the vintage movie theater, the doors will reopen this week in grand style: with a midnight showing of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows on November 19. That’s Thursday at midnight, technically—and one of the first screenings of HP7 in town. Getting. Excited.

Microsoft cofounder Paul Allen rescued Cinerama from demolition 12 years ago, but recently decided to change management (dropping AMC Entertainment) and refurbish the building, which opened in 1963. Allen’s Vulcan Inc. hired Greg Wood to give Cinerama a face lift; the owner/operator of Portland’s Roseway Theater just upgraded his own 1920s indie theater to show blockbusters like Avatar in all their glory. And in Seattle, "we upgraded everything," Wood said this morning in a quick phone chat. "The big thing is to get Cinerama back in touch with the community, make it feel like Seattle’s living room."

So what does Seattle’s living room look like? It has 3D capabilities, a digital projector, a new sound system, new carpet, paint, lighting, and "local concessions" like Theo Chocolate (chocolate popcorn?), treats from Cupcake Royale, and Caffe Vita coffee. Since HP7 wasn’t filmed in 3D, you’ll have to wait for the December 17 opening of Tron: Legacy for Cinerama’s fancy tech debut. But Wood also promises that the theater will still be able screen classic Cinerama 3-strand films. It’s the best of both worlds.

As for the shiny new website? Cinerama.com goes live tomorrow; that’s where you’ll be able to buy tickets ($11, $9 matinees before 6pm) for Harry Potter. Check back for our review of the new HP on Friday, Nov 19.