Rodgers Theatre director Wally Duncan has made an exciting announcement about the ongoing Rodgers Theatre restoration.
“We have received an anonymous donation of $20,000 to go toward the marquee restoration,” he said recently, adding the gift was made in honor of Evelyn Whitworth, Patricia Spain and Mary Greeson Peterson, all of whom passed away this month. Duncan described them as “very prominent ladies” in Poplar Bluff.
“We’re obviously very excited about receiving a gift (of) that magnitude,” he said. “It will go a long way toward getting that project completed. We think that with what we’ve raised and now with this gift that we can get the marquee finished up.”
The historic downtown building’s marquee has been damaged and deteriorating for years, and is the latest restoration project for the building. Bootheel Signs is rewiring the interior, replacing bulbs, fixing the badly scraped front corner and repainting the exterior.
The venue will continue to host events like the annual Christmas movie night starting at 6 p.m. Friday, Nov. 26, and a concert by The Isaacs gospel and bluegrass band Dec. 3.