The Texas Theater will celebrate its grand reopening March 31. (File photo)

Chris Roark, croark@cherryroad.com

As Jon Garrett watches the renovation being done inside The Texas Theater in Downtown Waxahachie, he points out some of the few remaining historic architectural features inside.

A large brick wall serves as the stage backdrop. Even the wall tells a story.

“You can still see the soot from when this place caught on fire a long time ago,” Garrett said.

But Garrett said this project is about upgrades, and he points out the new additions to the theater – the state-of-the-art sound system, a 4K projector shining on a 19-foot-by-11-foot screen, new lighting.

He hopes modernizing the century-old venue while hanging on to some of its past will be just some of the reasons The Texas Theater will be the regional draw it once was.

The Texas Theater, located at 110 W. Main St., is set to have its grand reopening March 31. The celebration will be highlighted by a sold-out Jack Ingram concert.

Garrett said it seems natural for Jack Ingram to kick off the theater’s rebirth since the band used to perform at the venue many years ago.

But other events are planned first. A VIP party is scheduled for March 30, and anyone interested in sponsorships can email info@thetxtheater.com.

Jordan Rainer, the T3R Female Artist of the Year nominee, will perform March 25 as part of the Crossroads of Texas Film & Music Festival.

The schedule is filling up fast for the renovated theater, and Garrett said the venue will be home to many different types of performers in the coming years, from Texas Country artists to comedians to Tejano bands to pop rock groups.

Other top performers lined up include comedian William Lee Martin, as part of the Comedy Stampede Tour, on April 8 and TNT Dueling Pianos on April 21.

“We really wanted to add variety,” Garrett said.

Garrett and his wife Alyssa purchased the theater last year and pledged to restore it and bring back entertainment after the venue had been closed to the public for approximately 10 years.

Soon after the purchase an awning fire led to a closer look at the theater’s electrical system. Garrett said he decided to gut the whole place and start over.

“We decided to build from the ground up so that it’ll last another 100 years,” Garrett said. “We want it to stay part of the Downtown Square for as long as possible.”

In addition to the technology upgrades, some of the work that has gone into the renovation includes building a new full-service bar area upon entry. Drinks will be provided by local brewers Southern Roots Waxahachie and Railport Brewing Company.

Crews added a window behind the bar so guests who get a drink during performance can still see the show from the bar area.

Garrett said another thing people will notice is the intimate space inside the performance area. There will be approximately 220 seats in the floor area, plus 24 seats in VIP sections and a standing room area, for a total capacity of approximately 260.

The theater will feature an all-new sound and lighting system.

“There’s a big emphasis on sound,” Garrett said. “It’s not a big room, so we want to make sure the sound and the aesthetics are right.”

The theater will have a new curtain system that will at times serve as the stage’s backdrop. Other times the historic brick wall will do.  

“This is history, so we have to show it,” Garrett said.

The large screen will be used for showing films.

All the woodwork throughout the venue was custom cut and stained on site.

Other changes include turning the old production booth into a VIP area. The renovation also makes the theater more ADA accessible.

Garrett said most of the renovation is complete. He said adding seats and carpeting is the last significant part of the project.

While the theater is expected to consistently book local performers, Garrett said the venue can also be rented out for other special events and private events. For example, Wilemon STEAM Academy will have a play at the theater in May. The Waxahachie Young Professionals’ 40-Under-Forty ceremony will take place at the theater later this year.

The history of the theater, located at 110 W. Main St., can be traced back to around 1895 when a row of buildings on Main Street just north of the Ellis County Courthouse was rebuilt following a fire.  

In 1907 Frances Moffett Simpson inherited Lot 2 of a two-story building, according to historical accounts compiled from past Waxahachie Daily Light archives. The Simpson Building was leased out – the first floor contained commercial on one side and Edison Entertainment Co. on the other. That space became known as The Theatorium, which showed entirely “high class moving pictures,” the first such venue in Waxahachie.  

Two years later The Majestic Theatre opened in the same building, and The Theatorium moved to the west side of the square. 

The Majestic Theatre then became The Dixie Theatre in 1912 followed by The Ritz in 1934.  

A fire in 1938 severely damaged the theater, and it was forced to be rebuilt. In 1939 the Ritz relocated to the south side of the square, and a new theater called Texas Theater opened. It featured a white building façade and a neon sign on the outside with innovative lighting, projection, screening and air conditioning on the inside. The first show was “Jesse James.” 

Another fire forced another rebuild, and the theater reopened in 1942. 

Over the years the building has been used for many things, and in 2009 the city purchased the building in hopes of bringing its popularity back. A five-year agreement was later signed between the city and Lake-Moreno Partners, which was never fulfilled, and the building was up for sale.

Now Garrett’s dream of brining it back to life is just weeks away.

“This is unique,” Garrett said. “It’s not something you’ll get at another concert.”

For a list of shows go to thetxtheater.com/tickets.

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