ESTEVAN - Orpheum Theatre owners Alan and Jocelyn Dougherty don't yet know when the 110-year-old attraction will be able to open to show movies again, but their first special event for 2025 has already been announced.
Quick Dick McDick, a rural Saskatchewan resident who has gained a devoted following on YouTube with his political commentary and humourous takes on life in the province, will perform at the Orpheum's main theatre on Jan. 24, starting at 9 p.m.
Alan Dougherty said they decided to proceed with McDick's appearance because he has to be booked about a year and a half in advance. The show was booked long before a late August thunderstorm hit and forced the business to shut down due to flood damage.
"He's already been down and looked over the place," said Dougherty.
Dougherty said McDick's act will be different from what people would see on YouTube. He has seen McDick's performance at the Saskatchewan Oil and Gas Show, and Dougherty also watches McDick on YouTube.
"He talks about Saskatchewan stuff, what's real to people and a bit of politics, but he'll be doing a little bit more comedy in his act," said Dougherty.
Tickets went on sale on Friday morning at Henders Drugs, and Dougherty said there has been a great response so far. People are excited to have McDick in Estevan and to have a show at the Orpheum.
The thunderstorm that closed the theatre occurred while a water main replacement project was happening in the 1200-block of Fourth Street as part of the downtown revitalization project. Even though the theatre has been closed for more than three months, Dougherty can't give a date for when the long-standing business will reopen, other than it will be in 2025. Renovations remain on hold, he said, and the Orpheum has yet to receive any money from insurance.
"I don't think the movies will be open in January. We're hoping sometime in February would be nice," said Dougherty. "As it stands right now, there is nothing really happening at the theatre."
Some work has been completed. In the main theatre, the carpet has been removed from the walkways and the stage. In the smaller theatre, the carpet is also gone, and they had to remove the carpet on the walls so that drywall could be replaced.
Tile and toilets have been removed from the downstairs basement.
"Basically, we're waiting for the rest of the stuff to be torn out of the place, and then we'll start putting it back together again," said Dougherty.
He doubts much work will take place on the restoration of the building during the Christmas break. But he expects the carpets for the aisles and the stage will be in place in time for McDick's appearance.
Dougherty said he'd take care of any necessary work he could to ensure the upstairs portion of the theatre is open for Jan. 24. There will be a washroom for men and women, and, if necessary, he would have some outside for just a night.
Staffing will also be a challenge, and the Doughertys will need to reorder some stock such as candy and popcorn. He referred to Quick Dick's appearance as a good pre-opening, because it will get everyone ready again for a show.
"I'm looking forward to it, because you have to start somewhere," said Dougherty.
The support from the community has been great, Dougherty said, and he looks forward to seeing people turn out when the shows resume.
The challenges for the theatre in recent years have been well-documented. The COVID-19 pandemic forced the theatre to close for a prolonged period of time, and then it had limited seating when it did reopen. A Hollywood actors and writers' strike in 2023 put a number of high-profile projects on hold. And some high-profile movies have been released during this latest closure for the theatre.
