Theater offers an uncommon experience Posted On: Monday, Aug. 30 2004 12:00 AM By Jennifer M. Sims
Killeen Daily Herald

SALADO The stage has been set, but patrons at the new Salado Silver Spur Theater should not expect a typical night at the movies.

The theater will feature old black-and-white movies with musical accompaniment, interspersed with live acts reminiscent of the variety shows of the vaudeville era.

We give them more than just a night at the movies, said Grainger Esch, 38, who opened the theater with his wife, Penny. The couple moved to Salado to open the theater.

The movies are played on a large screen that drops from the ceiling at the front of the stage. The screen can then be retracted to allow for the variety acts on stage.

The theater will run year round with movies changing about every other week. The variety acts, however, will change much more often, Penny, 31, explained, which will offer patrons both local and from out of town a unique experience every time.

With that kind of plug-and-play format, it gives us the opportunity to change it up, she said.

The theater is housed in a refurbished granary within walking distance of several other Salado attractions. While the building has been almost completely revamped, the audience watches the show surrounded by the granarys original walls, including original metal patches on the walls. The tin that covers the buildings exterior was also preserved to maintain the nostalgic feel that is a part of the Salado charm, Penny explained.

Even the foot lights on the stage are a blending of new with old and are made from buckets used in the granary.

We never wanted to hide the fact that this was a granary, she said.

The couple opened the theaters doors Saturday night to a select group of friends and family for the theaters christening, and will open to the public Friday.

The 1926 Buster Keaton film The General will be featured for the first two weekends.

For show times and more information, visit the theaters Web site, www.saladosilverspur.com.

Contact Jennifer M. Sims at jsims@kdhnews.com