Orpheum Theatre, 216 State St., reopened its doors last night to display a beautiful new lobby and a lineup of stellar acts following the Dec. 19 fire that forced the Orpheum to shut down for over a month.
The Dec. 19 incident was the third in a string of suspicious episodes involving fire at the Orpheum in the last three months. Arson is the suspected cause of all three of the historic theatre's fires.
Madison Fire Marshall Ed Ruckigel said the investigation is still pending. A joint investigation betewen the Madison Police and Fire Departments is being conducted to look for clues as to who or what caused the fire.
\We continue talking to people and getting information on a regular basis,"" Ruckigel said. ""With any investigation it's a matter of putting the pieces together to get the answer and I just think they don't have the answer yet.""
It was smoke, not fire, that caused the majority of the damage to the Orpheum's interior.
The noncombustible area where the fire started contained what could have caused major damage to the theater.
Owner Henry Doane said the Orpheum is taking measures to make sure another fire is not in its future.
""We're going to install cameras and alarm systems,"" Doane said.
UW-Madison junior and Orpheum employee Dan Gitlan was confused by this projection.
""Everyone here was just confused why anyone would want to do that to the Orpheum,"" he said.
Doane feels confident about the events at the Orpheum this spring.
A few events had to be cancelled because of the December fire, including the gala the Orpheum planned for New Years Eve.
Jam artists moe. and Keller Williams as well as author David Sedaris are also scheduled to appear at the Orpheum in the next few months.
These artists have a strong following in the UW-Madison student community, and their acts are sure to give the Orpheum the strong pull it needs after a temporary closure.
UW-Madison sophomore Ben Kollenbroich is thrilled that the Orpheum is bringing in this kind of talent.
""I'm really pumped that Keller Williams is coming to Madison,"" he said. ""It shows the Orpheum is becoming a haven for this kind of music.""
Events at the Orpheum are scheduled a few months in advance, so the fire did not interfere with the scheduling of these big names.
The Orpheum is now open for business, and a Grand Opening Ceremony will be held March 29, on the theater's anniversary.
