Historic Athens Theatre reopens Jan. 6 in DeLand

Broadway performance slated Sunday, Jan. 11

By Barb Shepherd and Marsha McLaughlin
BEACON STAFF MEMBERS

posted Jan 6, 2009 - 6:11:29pm

The swish of a golden ribbon reopened the historic Athens Theatre Jan. 6, bringing to a close a challenging and meticulous restoration that stretched over 15 years.

The sweat and strain of that effort, which engaged hundreds of volunteers and required millions in private and public donations, weren't showing at the noon ribbon-cutting.

Instead, the Athens was revealed restored to its 1920s grandeur, but outfitted with modern amenities to support theater, film and musical productions.

"The Athens Theatre will host numerous cultural activities, including theatre and film festivals, classic and independent films, concerts and live theatrical performances for all ages," promises its owner, the Sands Theater Center.

The first such production is planned at 5 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 11, when "Broadway Sings for Cancer" takes the stage. Tickets, $75 per person, are on sale now at the Sands Theater Box Office, (386) 736-7456.

Featuring Broadway veterans Leslie Becker, Kevin Duda and Matthew LaBanca, the show promises "a musical history of show tunes from Gershwin to Hairspray."

It is sponsored by Volusia County's Florida Hospitals; proceeds will benefit the American Cancer Society.

In the evening Jan. 6, volunteers, donors and governmental officials who shepherded the 1922 vaudeville house through its restoration gathered at the theater to celebrate the long-awaited reopening.

In private ownership until the early 1990s, the Athens was passed from the City of DeLand to the MainStreet DeLand Association, and finally to the Sands Theater Center, under whose management the restoration was completed.

— info@beacononlinenews.com

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