The Grand Theater in Wausau will reopen this Saturday, Nov. 7, with a headliner performance by Wayne Newton, WSAW reported. The show is the first of many planned for the season ahead.
The 99-year-old theater has been closed since May for a renovation put at $17 million. Executive Director Sean Wright told Wausau City Pages that every inch of the building was touched, from top to bottom.
Audiences will find new, larger and softer custom-built seats. Fitting them in cut overall capacity from 1,208 to about 1,169, and the new seats add cupholders the theater did not have before.
The entrance under the marquee has been restored around the original 1927 box office, historic colors and trim detail have been brought back, and the Great Hall has new acoustic panels, updated bars and room to host smaller performances on nights the main hall is dark.
Crews also replaced or upgraded systems patrons will not see, including HVAC, roof and electrical work, and added restrooms. Wright said the theater is nearing a record of about 1,100 subscriber accounts as it heads into its reopening season.
