Actors Perform On Elitch Gardens Theater Stage For First Time In 24 Years
DENVER (CBS4)- Actors took to the stage of the Elitch Gardens Theater for the first time in 24 years on Thursday. It's part of a big push to restore the historic theater.
The actors will perform in a three day New Works Festival which begins Thursday night. They will conduct readings of new plays and choose others to perform in workshops there next year.
A fundraising drive is underway to help turn the theater into a full-time performing arts center.
When Elitch Gardens moved the amusement park to downtown Denver in the 90s, they pulled out most of the utilities. Although the theater building was saved, it was left empty and unused.
PHOTO GALLERY: Historic Elitch Gardens Theater
Some restorations have been completed on the exterior but renovations need to be completed on the bathrooms and lobby.
The historic theater was built in 1890 and hosted such stars as Grace Kelly, Douglas Fairbanks, Cybil Shepard and Vincent Price.
In 1990, a 100-year anniversary production was held on the stage, the last performance before Thursday.
Performances are Thursday through Saturday, 6 p.m. - 10 p.m. and tickets start at $15 with $40 for all three nights.