Theater to reopen in December

By Michael Butler

Tallassee's Mount Vernon Theater will be open for business again next month under a new name - The Mount Vernon Performing Arts Center.

"We want to offer more things to do than just movies," said Joey Wigingtion, who is partnering with his son Barry Wiginton and Bill Patterson in the endeavor to reopen the landmark that originally opened its doors in 1935.

The theater was restored and opened in January of 2018 after decades of inactivity. Events were held over the course of the next two years, but it closed its doors again in December of 2019.

"We got a call from one of the bankers," Wigington said. "We didn't want it to be an apartment complex or warehouse. So, we decided to belly up and come up with the money to make it work."

The group has been working to upgrade even more since the acquisition. That includes new cushioned seats.

"The seats were so hard. We'll put the seats in starting Thursday morning," Wiginton added. "We're adding some glitz to it."

A first look at the recent improvements will be on Dec. 1 at 2 p.m.

"We're having a thank you reception. We want to invite anybody that had anything to do with the theater when they fixed it up eight years ago. We want them to see it first."

After that, the building will open to the general public for the holiday season featuring several Christmas classics including, "White Christmas" and "It's a Wonderful Life." The first film to be shown will be "Elf" at 7 p.m. on Dec. 5.

Movies will be shown from Thursday - Sunday at 7 p.m. each week with Saturday and Sunday 2 p.m. matinees as well in December until Christmas. The McCraney-Cottle Arts Council's annual Christmas program will also be on the stage on Dec. 14 at 6:30 p.m.

There will be theme nights as well. For the Dec. 6 showing of "National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation," attendees are asked to dress as their favorite character. On the Dec. 19 and 22 showings of Polar Express, kids are encouraged to wear their pajamas.

The ticketing system will allow preorder of tickets for $10 per show. Tickets will be $12 at the door.

"We do want people to buy popcorn," Wiginton said. "We've got fountain drinks, hotdogs, chips and candy."

Expectations are to have plays, concerts and other offerings in the new year.

"We really want to do weddings there. We've got Elvis coming in August."

December Lineup
Dec. 5 - "Elf" at 7 pm
Dec. 6 - "National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation" at 7 p.m.
Dec. 7 - "White Christmas" at 2 p.m., "Home Alone" at 7 p.m.
Dec. 8 - "Miracle on 34th Street" at 2 p.m., "The Santa Clause" at 7 p.m.
Dec. 12 - "Home Alone" at 7 p.m.
Dec. 13 - "The Santa Clause" at 7 p.m.
Dec. 14 - "Elf" at 2 p.m., McCraney-Cottle Arts Council Christmas Program at 6:30 p.m.
Dec. 15 - "It’s a Wonderful Life" at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.
Dec. 19 - "Polar Express" at 7 p.m.
Dec. 20 - "Elf" at 7 p.m.
Dec. 21 - "Home Alone" at 2 p.m., Christmas Vacation at 7 p.m.
Dec. 22 - "White Christmas" at 2 p.m., "Polar Express" at 7 p.m.