A Redkey theater will soon be back in the entertainment business.

The Stacy Mitchhart Band is scheduled to perform at 8 p.m. Saturday at Key Palace Theater, a venue that closed in 2012 but is being brought back to life by Portland resident John Runyon.

Runyon recently purchased Key Palace through a tax sale. He’s already opened the Key Diner, and the concert venue is set to make its rebirth this weekend.

The first concert will feature Key’s traditional blues style, but Runyon and his wife Caressa plan to have a variety of musical acts perform.

“Just kind of get it up and going again. What it used to be,” said Runyon, who attended concerts during Key Palace’s previous incarnation. “We’ll branch out more from there.”

Runyon’s mom said John was in the alley one night when he was a teenager and former owner Charlie Noble invited him in to listen to the music.

"It's been a dream of his," to reopen the Key, she said.

Since the theater at 123 S. Meridian St. sat empty for so long after Noble’s death, extensive renovations needed to be done.

The stage was refurbished, the walls were stripped, plumbing had to be replaced and Runyon hopes to have a new roof on before show time.

“It’ll have a new makeover,” he said. “Still got a little work to do yet before the first show.”

The work has been taken on by a group of volunteers.

"Citizens of Redkey have come through and helped a lot,” said Runyon, who also owns Jayland Mowing and Snow Removal in Portland, complimenting other town business owners.

Tickets for the show are $25 and will be available at Key Diner, located across the street from Key Palace, online at http://www.eventbrite.com or at the door on the night of the performance.
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