KEARNEY, Neb. (AP) - Two years of fundraising and one pandemic later, The World Theatre is nearly ready to reopen in downtown Kearney.
The coronavirus crisis that shuttered most of Kearney’s cultural and entertainment venues forced the nonprofit theater to close in mid-March 2020. However, the closure became an opportunity to raise funds and complete major renovations in the 1927 Vaudeville theater.
“We had our punch walk with the contractor Tuesday. There are a few odds and ends we’re dealing with,” said Mark Orr, president of The World Theatre Foundation.
Last weekend, volunteers did a deep clean of the theater, hung some decorations and made ready for the Feb. 23-28 run of Crane River Theater’s one-woman show, “Pretty Fire.”
The Kearney Hub reports the live performance will be on the World’s refurbished stage. Renovations also include fix-ups on dressing rooms and prep areas backstage. There’s a new heating and cooling system. The most visible update is the complete remodeling of the World’s balcony.
It now features 69 luxury recliners and a concession stand.
Work also is nearly complete in the lobby. On the south side of that area is a lounge, and on the north is the return of the 1940s-era Sweet Shop.
The price tag for the renovations and upgrades was $700,000. Raising that much money required two years. Orr believes the changes will enhance the World experience and equip the venue for additional activities, including live performances and receptions.
It was March 15, 2020, when the World sold its last ticket - “Little Women” - before closing for the pandemic. The capital campaign continued, but the World had to scramble to cover continuing expenses, such as payroll. The organization raised some money with a pop-up drive-in theater at the Buffalo County Fairgrounds and shared some of the proceeds with other area nonprofits.
World Theater Executive Director Bryce Jensen said the pop-up kept the World’s name in front of fans and was an opportunity to screen some old drive-in theater favorites such as “Grease, “Goonies,” “Independence Day” and “E.T.”
Jensen said the World might open a pop-up drive-in again this summer.
Orr said plans are coming together for motion pictures in a few weeks. He anticipates seating will be limited for social distancing, and other efforts will be made to ensure safety for the audience.
He said it’s excited to dust off the theater and get ready to switch on the projectors.
“We’re planning to show movies in March. We’ll probably do private rentals and parties for people who donated for the balcony,” he said. “It’s exciting. Things seems to be going better around town. We want everyone to be safe, but the world must go on.”
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