Article by G.G. Rigsby
Originally featured on Savannahnow.com
Springfield’s Mars Theatre is an example of what communities and government can do when they work together, the venue’s director told a crowd during its “soft opening” on Wednesday.
“When people think and dream big, you end up with big results,” Tommy Deadwyler, director of cultural affairs for the City of Springfield, said.
Click here to view photos of the Mars Theatre “soft opening” Wednesday.
The theater opened Wednesday to a crowd of invited guests who were donors or volunteers in the renovation, which took 10 years.
A second test crowd, also by invitation only, was scheduled to visit the theater tonight. The official grand opening, to the public, is set for Friday.
On Wednesday night, Deadwyler recognized volunteer Gussie Nease, a resident of Rincon, who has been tireless in pushing for renovation of the theater, which closed its doors 57 years ago, in 1957.
“People got so tired of seeing her come that they’d just write a check and put it in the mail pre-emptively,” Deadwyler said of Nease. “In a way, I wish I could name the theater after her,” he said.
She received a standing ovation from the crowd.
The theater was named “Mars” after its founders’ mother, Martha Ramsey. It opened in 1945 and closed in 1957, when television became the predominant form of entertainment.
The first movie to be shown inside the theater will be the Amazing Spider-Man 2, which will open in a special sneak preview on Thursday, May 1.
The movie debuts at the Mars and at other theaters nationwide on Friday, May 2.
Volunteers have shown free movies on the side of the theater in recent years as renovation work was done.
The theater is a first, key step in the economic revival of Springfield, Deadwyler said. A new sandwich/coffee shop has opened downtown and business owners have been repainting and sprucing up as the city continues work on its streetscape projects, adding lighting and brick-lined sidewalks.
Deadwyler said the theater will bring new energy to downtown.
The theater, which has 220 seats, is the only one in Effingham County. Deadwyler said the next-nearest boutique-style theater would be in Macon.
City leaders decided to buy the best sound and lighting systems available and to buy high-end seats that are wider than most and that have more space between them.
Both side rows on the bottom floor have two seats each, which is attractive to couples who want to sit together.
The venue will serve beer and wine during live entertainment that is meant for adult audiences. A keg cooler in the concession area serves Miller Lite and Southbound beer, which is made in Savannah.
Randall Bramblett and Tommy Talton performed Wednesday night and Bramblett’s band and Talton will perform tonight.
Guests were impressed with the quality of the sound system, the lighting and the seating and concession area.
Among the guests Wednesday were state Rep. Jon Burns, R-Newington, and state Sen. Jack Hill, R-Reidsville, as well as County Commissioners Phil Kieffer, Reggie Loper and Steve Mason.
Mason said the venue was impressive. “It’s amazing what can be accomplished when people are pulling in the same direction,” he said.
Americana/bluegrass band the Greencards will play at the Mars on Friday, in the first performance open to the public. Von Grey is scheduled to perform there Saturday and 84-year-old gospel/blues singer Essie Mae Brooks will perform Sunday.
For more information about the coming attractions, or to buy tickets, go towww.marstheatre.com or call 912-754-1118.
Article originally published on April 24, 2014
For more information visit Savannahnow.com
