Des Plaines Theatre Preview and Open House: Enjoy a Classic Film and Free Coffee Courtesy of Patch

The renovation of the Des Plaines Theatre is well underway, and we want to show you the work in progress.

The dividing walls are down, the old walls are repainted, and the massive ceiling beams are visible once again. There's much more work ahead, but we couldn't wait to let you see what's been hidden for all these years. Unless you came to the theatre before 1935, I guarantee you've never seen it like this before.

You'll get as much entertainment as you want for only a $5 minimum suggested donation (plus popcorn and homemade cookies). There will be many to share but please feel free to bring in your own to share as well.

Patch will be serving free coffee and hot chocolate to the first 125 attendees, beginning at 2 p.m.

The show starts at noon with the 1935 version of Scrooge.

The Willows Academy Chamber Choir performs at 2 p.m., A Christmas Without Snow screens at 3 p.m., the St. Alphonsus Contemporary Choir performs at 7:30 p.m., and Scrooge shows again at 8:30 p.m. 

In between the acts, tours will be available. You will see the stunning, ornate original lobby walls, covered since 1935. The beginnings of the Music Box Cafe, which will operate out of the lobby during the daytime. You will tread the floorboards on the stage where acts from Gene Autry to Elephants once entertained past Des Plaines audiences, and see the dressing rooms with performers' signatures on the wall.

And you'll see one of our new amenities - the new seating rescued from none other than Radio City Music Hall (you can even sponsor a seat with a plaque for only $50 - limited numbers available)

We couldn't be more excited about this project, and if you'll pardon our dust, we promise you'll get your $5 worth. Please invite your friends.

If you can't make it, please consider making a donation at www.stageoneproductionsdp.org.

This event was previously published on Brian Wolf's blog Revitalize Des Plaines.