DANVILLE — One of the town's oldest buildings has some new offerings for those headed downtown to enjoy the arts.

The Village Theatre, which opens its performing arts season tonight with the Role Players Ensemble Theatre production of "The House of Blue Leaves," now has a larger lobby. The renovated space also will double as an art gallery, with a grand opening Nov. 14.

"We're really proud," said Mayor Newell Arnerich. "It's really a professional look."

Arnerich said the work complements the last major renovations, made several years ago, that included permanent seats being installed in the 245-seat theater.

The lobby renovation cost roughly $650,000, said Bob Russell, project manager for the town.

The lobby isn't the only change at the theater. Outside, visitors will see a new sign and marquee showing information on upcoming events. There is also a new box office window.

Inside, some first-floor offices have been moved to the second floor, allowing more space for visitors.

Michelle Lacy, recreation services manager, said previously that only 15 to 20 people could stand in the lobby before shows and during intermissions. Now it can hold 122 people.

Additionally, the concessionaire has been moved to lobby. There are also more bathrooms, including separate men's and women's facilities with access for people with disabilities. Previously there was one unisex bathroom for those with disabilities.

The

bigger lobby also will allow for an art gallery. Previously, the Danville Fine Arts Gallery, run by the Danville Cultural Alliance, was on the second floor, but it was mostly office space and hard for people with disabilities to access, Arnerich said. It closed in 2006 after 18 years.

The first show at the new art gallery, the "Peanuts At Bat" traveling exhibit from the Charles M. Schulz Museum in Santa Rosa, is a look at the late cartoonist's interest in baseball.

Lacy said three art shows are scheduled through April, but officials want to eventually have them continuously scheduled two years out. She said the intent is "museum style," where art is there for enjoyment, although some exhibits may offer items for sale. She said the cost to put on exhibits can range from nothing to $4,000 a show.

She said they hope to get four to six exhibits a year, coinciding with the theater performances.

Role Players Ensemble Theatre does three shows a year, while the Danville Children's Musical Theater does two, she said. Other groups rent out the space for their own shows or other activities.

Lacy said the town hopes the expanded offerings encourage more people both to visit and to rent out the space.

"We have a lot of people that don't know the theater exists," she said.

Lacy said this year's season opening was pushed back a month to accommodate the renovation but because of scheduling the initial art exhibit was not available for opening night. She said it turns out the art would not have been able to be shown anyway, as the completion is running a couple of weeks behind and workers are continuing final touches this week.

The theater was built in 1873, and the theater site was a Grange Hall gathering place for the farming community. The building later was lifted to create the second floor, and a new was ground floor built.

Through the years there have been other owners and uses, including a movie theater and a church. The town purchased the theater in the 1980s, and it is recognized by the town as a historic site.

Reach Eric Louie at 925-847-2123.