Historic North Theatre Celebrates Two Year Anniversary this Month

Today celebrity magician and World Champion Illusionist Wayne Alan, the owner of The Historic North Theatre, celebrates the two year anniversary of the reopening of the theatre. This is the 67th Anniversary of the opening of the North in 1947. To celebrate the event, they will present Bruce In The USA on Aug. 31 at 8:00 PM. This Bruce Springsteen tribute band is much more than just another tribute. This high-energy musical experience is a note-perfect and visually accurate recreation of a Bruce Springsteen & The E. Street Band show. Matt Ryan, from the World Famous "Legends In Concert" cast, played the Springsteen character for eight years, in their "full scale" Las Vegas show. The great success with "Legends" evolved his character into the Bruce In The USA show. His amazing portrayal of "The Boss" (not to mention his jaw-dropping resemblance) is as close as you can get to see the real thing in concert. Backed by a strong, powerful Clarence "The Big Man" Clemence and a smokin' handed "Little Stevie", Bruce In The USA takes this genre of performance art to a whole new level, making it the World's #1 Tribute to the E. Street Band's legacy.

Before the Bruce in the USA show at 6:30 PM there will be a pre show party in the balcony lounge and show ticket holders are invited to celebrate with us as we "cut the cake" to mark the second anniversary. Tickets for Bruce in the USA are $23.00, 20.00 and 17.00. Tickets can be purchased on the theatre's website: www.TheNorthTheatre.com or by calling the box office at 434-793-SHOW (7469).

In the past year since owning this performing arts center Mr. Alan has overseen much growth and progress at the theatre. He said, "We are proud that we brought to Danville the off-Broadway national touring production of "Menopause the Musical", we started a monthly comedy show featuring good clean fun with top comedians on the 2nd Friday of each month and opened the Moon River Thai Bistro at the Historic North Theatre. We also have more than tripled our email mailing list and likes on Facebook." The theatre joined the Virginia Motorcoach Association and is working with operators in VA, NC & SC to bring buses of tourists to Danville to see their shows. The theatre kicked off and is spearheading a program of revitalization of the North Main area around the theatre and hopes to turn it into the Danville Arts District. Acclaimed director/producer Mimi Johnson Grubb, who directs the theatre's youth camps and shows, has joined the staff as Artistic Director. Alan Holt is on staff as the Technical Director and Debbie Bernas as the Book Office Manager.

In the next year the theatre will continue their monthly comedy shows on the 2nd Friday of each month, Wayne Alan's Magic Shows on the 2nd Saturday of each month, plus their hit show the Magic of Christmas climaxing with a Living Nativity on stage. The award winning youth theatre program will also continue. The annual Houdini Festival, haunted house and All Hallows/Halloween Magic Shows will also remain on the show calendar. They will also continue to host top celebrity touring concerts and shows.

In the future they will be starting a new series of shows called "Direct from the Kennedy Center" which will feature performers who have appeared at the nation's top theatre. They will also produce in house three Broadway musicals, Godspell, The Fantastics, and Grease. A full season VIP Subscription Series will be made available. Plus they have plans for an annual Camellia Williams Opera & Music Festival. Wayne Alan said, "Our goal is to provide top quality, wholesome and family friendly entertainment. We will continue to strive to live up to the North's first advertisement in the 1947 newspaper: "Visit Danville's new and finest theatre for the best in entertainment."

The balcony lounge area is being decorated to become the "VIP Lounge" showcasing celebrities with connections to Danville and Virginia. Food with wine, beer and mixed drinks will be available. Mr. Alan said, "The idea is to give it the feel of old Hollywood glamour, sort of Hollywood Brown Derby meets Hard Rock Café with a little Planet Hollywood thrown in." The VIP Lounge and the art gallery make for a great special events area for meetings, private dinners and special events.

Mr. Alan, the owner of the Historic North Theatre is only American to ever win the gold medal for Grand Illusion at FISM, the World Championship of Magic, which is considered the Olympics of Magic. He has also appeared numerous times on national TV and 13 ½ times at the White House.