Virginia Theater ending live performances after 12 years

The curtain is closing on the Virginia Theater in Shelley. The theater that was a starting point for some future Broadway actors is ending its live performances after 12 years.

After more than a decade, Ronnie Kerbs is stepping back to focus on family.

“It was kind of my dream several years ago to open this and run a live community theater and I’m super happy that I did it and pursued that dream. But over time, it’s been 12 years and my family has grown, I have seven children and three of them are under five and then I have four step-children as well. So we’ve got 11 children and my husband’s out of town a lot so I decided it’s best for my family to close the theater and focus a little bit more on them,” says Kerbs.

But the building won’t be completely gone.

“My brother, he’s still going to do the haunted theater, he’s going to kind of take over, he’ll run that. I’m not sure if he’s going to winterize the building and keep it closed for the rest of the year or if his wife will eventually pick up the theater again so they’re kind of making a decision on that.”

The community actors say they were sad when they heard the news.

“It’s been a real joy for me to work here, it’s heartbreaking for them to be closing. Hopefully, there will be a future, we wish them all the best. They’re like family to me and they’ve given me a lot of inspiration throughout the years,” says Jon Muench, who has been involved with the theater for over 10 years.

But they’re understanding.

“It’s sad but I know how tough it is,” says Muench.

The current show, “Ruddigore” will be the last one. Show times are Friday, Saturday, and Monday at 7:30 p.m. until April 2nd.