Springville's Little Brown, the little theater that could, to reopen

Original Little Brown Theatre

Bill Brown owned and operated the Little Brown Theatre for seven years before he was forced to sell it because of health reasons.

New Little Brown Theatre

The Little Brown Theatre, the only live theater venue in Springville, reopened 28 October 2011 with “The Assassin’s New Friend.”  Bill Brown partnered and Sara Harvey to convert the former Gift of Grace Christian Supply retail store, housed in a building constructed in 1898, into a 50-seat black box-style theater.  The new Little Brown Theatre is located across the street from the original.  The Little Brown Theatre will be used by other area groups, including Provo’s Zion Theatre Company and maybe the Utah Lyric Opera and Springville Playhouse.

“I love theater and what it does for a community,” said Bill Brown.  “Theater does so much for young people.  I look at theater akin to playing sports.  Theater builds self-esteem, young people become part of a team and they learn that the show is only as good as the individual players on the stage.”

Speaking of the theater's small size, Brown said, “And it’s really a thrill to sit there so close to the stage and you’re part of the action. It’s a unique theater experience.”

Springville Playhouse

The Springville Playhouse,  Utah’s longest continuously running community theater group, ends its 47-year history of performing in the basement of the former Springville Civic Center, which is about to be demolished.  It may perform in the Little Brown Theatre until Springville renovates the Rivoli Theatre.

Villa / Rivoli Theatre

Sara Harvey's family owned and operated the Villa Theatre. They sold it Bill Brown, who produced live theater there until he sold it nine years latter because of health reasons. Springville is raising funds to renovate the Rivoli Theatre, after which it will be used by the Springville Playhouse.