New venue looks to bring affordable entertainment to downtown St. Charles

A new venue plans to bring theatrical productions, music and comedy acts at an affordable price to downtown St. Charles this fall.

Nancy and Joseph Mennella plan to open Moonlight Theatre at 7 S. 2nd Ave. in late September or early October. The venue, which will seat about 220 people, will be located in the historic Idle Hour Theatre building that was built in 1900.

"Moonlight Theatre is a new business venture looking to capitalize on the arts and entertainment industry by offering a family-owned and operated theater designed to bring professional, high quality and affordable entertainment to the city," St. Charles Police Chief James Keegan said in a memo.

At the city council's government services committee meeting on Aug. 16, aldermen recommended approval of a liquor license for the venue. Their recommendation will now go to the full city council for consideration.

Moonlight Theatre will offer a full-service bar and would also sell soft drinks and food. According to its business plan, Moonlight Theatre would feature two to three music acts a week, three full-scale theatrical productions a year, special events like cabaret nights, stand-up comedy and improv nights, open mic nights and children's theater and workshops.

The space would also be rented out to other theater companies and corporations for private events and would be available for charity events and fundraisers. As proposed, Moonlight Theatre would also offer summer performing arts camps and workshops in the areas of acting, singing and dancing for children of all ages.