The sound of construction equipment echoed through the empty Strand Theater only a few hours before it opened last Thursday in Zelienople. The floor vibrated with the work.

Ron Carter, glued to his cell phone, was directing last-minute details around the theater as final touches were completed.

The eight-year renovation and restoration of the historic space was coming to an end. But the long journey to this day had often turned on cliffhangers nearly as hair-raising as some that had played across the theater's old movie screen.

Mr. Clark said he discovered the Strand in March 2001, while taking his son to flag football practice. Later he formed the nonprofit Strand Theater Initiative, becoming president and executive director of the organization.

When he first saw it, the Strand was a "decrepit, beat-up old building that was in a severe state of disrepair," he said. Even the façade atop of the marquee was leaning away from the building, which had been closed since the early 1980s.

"I thought somebody should do something, otherwise we [were] going to lose another main street American theater," he said.

Mr. Carter ended up being that somebody; he had lots of support from friends, family and people who dreamed of a resurrection for the Strand.

"The more research I did, he said, the more reasons I found to pursue it."

He hopes the new Strand will serve people from as far south as the North Hills and as far North as Grove City.

"We're going to be putting hundreds of people onto Main Street with each performance, and that's going to be a huge impact on the local community," he said.

The Strand will offer a variety of events including live theater, movies and shows. Starting today, Hollywood legend Debbie Reynolds will christen the theater as part of the weeklong grand opening. She'll perform at 8 tonight, tomorrow and Saturday and at 2 p.m. Sunday. Events leading up to tonight's show have been close to sellouts.

This is the first phase of the project, which eventually will include a stage house, 100 more seats, elevator service, a third floor, a parking deck and a multipurpose center.

The theater is a long cavernous space. Originally the seats faced east, with backs to Main Street. But the new design turns them 90 degrees, putting the entire audience closer to the new stage and screen. The concept was developed during a brainstorming session between Mr. Carter and longtime friend Ron Slanina, who serves as artistic consultant for the Strand Initiative. The two graduated from Shaler Area High School in 1982.

Years ago, they sat around a kitchen table while Mr. Slanina scribbled down a plan for the design.

"There's a tremendous personal attachment to seeing something I sketched on a note pad existing in reality," he said proudly.

Mr. Slanina's been involved since the beginning and spent nearly the last three months helping to finish the theater. He said he's thrilled to be producing the Debbie Reynolds show this weekend. When that show closes, he will head back to California where he's lived for the past 15 years as an actor.

"The wonderful thing for me is to watch people who were children here tell us [about] the movies they saw here and the last movie they saw here. To see them peak in the windows … is tremendously fulfilling."

John and Sally Leasher, of Jackson, stopped in front of the theater an hour before opening. They have fond memories of their youth at the Strand. They remembered coming to matinees every week to see great films, especially the Westerns. "It only cost nine cents to come to a movie," said Ms. Leasher, who had her favorite seat inside As youngsters, the couple liked the darkness in the back of the old theater. "It was very private," John said with a grin.

Inside, everything was ready. At 7 in the evening the word was given: "Open the doors." There was no champagne, no banners or ribbons to cut; the theater opened without fanfare.

Alan Tomo and his 2-year-old daughter, Madeleine, of Zelienople, walked through the red doors for the inaugural performance, "Mystery in the Library." The family-friendly presentation filled many of the 299 seats.

Mr. Tomo wasn't really sure how he ended up being first one in. "Apparently we bullied everyone out of the way I guess," he said with a laugh.

After all these years, Mr. Carter didn't see the first patrons enter. He was dutifully preparing for his role as Dracula for the night's performance.

People streamed through the front doors; there were hordes of children. Many wore costumes: pirates, princesses and even Pippi Longstocking filled the new seats eagerly.

Lee Ann Salinas, of Zelienople, sat in a back row, the lower level, with her 14 year-old daughter, Sophia.

Mrs. Salinas came here as a child with her brother. Being in the new theater brought back wonderful memories of Disney movies and giant Sweet Tarts, of cold, dark upstairs bathrooms "that were yucky" and an old black phone they used to call for a ride home on rainy days.

Sitting in the plush purple seat she turned to see the old projectors, in the same spot they were when she was a kid. "It's exciting; I'm glad they saved it; they did a great job of fixing it up because it looked pretty bad."

Mr. Carter played his role to the hilt that night. When asked how it felt to be open after eight years, he said, "It hasn't sunk in yet. I think it's probably going to be at least a week before we finally realize we've done it and we're open for business and ready to serve the public."

He paused, choking up a little and said, "There have been so many people involved in this process from the very beginning; I can't thank them enough. If it hadn't been for them we wouldn't be standing here right now."