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Robert Unger was 8 years old when he saw the walls of the Lerner Theatre go up for the first time in 1924. Through the years Unger watched as vaudeville and big band shows performed, as movies grew in popularity and as the theater underwent numerous changes in management. Now 95, Unger has witnessed the $18 million revitalization of the Lerner Theatre to what it once was. "It’s just jaw dropping," Blake Unger, Robert’s son, said about the newly renovated theater. Blake Unger is the marketing and business manager for Majority Builders, the general contractor that oversaw renovations of the former ELCO Performing Arts Center. The 1,700-seat theater will have its biggest impact when people look around at the architecture and see the designs and details they couldn’t see before, Unger said. Careful attention was given to bring back the theater’s original vibrancy, he said. Not only was the entire ceiling hand-painted for four months, Unger said, but lights were also strategically placed to illuminate the entire beauty of the ornate structure. "We have really enjoyed doing the renovation," Unger said. "You are working on something that no one has touched for years. The people who originally made it were artisans, and that’s humbling." The Lerner Theatre will have six grand-opening shows starting at 7:30 p.m. Thursday with the Elkhart Symphony Orchestra. The run of grand-opening events will end Wednesday, with the final show being a national touring company performance of "Fiddler on the Roof." Other shows include Premier Arts’ and The Elkhart Civic Theatre’s "The Very Best of Broadway," the 75-voice Elkhart Fellowship Choir and the Terry Lower Trio performing jazz for a Father’s Day brunch. Having local groups be the first to perform on the stage was a request from Elkhart Mayor Dick Moore. Tickets for the opening events were also given out for free. "This theater is literally bringing the heart back to downtown," Moore said. Officials originally decided to renovate the Lerner for economic development, Moore said. Even though the project cost $18 million — $15.1 million coming from taxpayers and the remainder from donations — downtown must be an attraction to people, Moore said. If Elkhart is going to attract people, the city must make improvements in areas like arts, culture and entertainment, he said. Moore said the project was possible because of the shared vision of a large number of people. "It is still Harry Lerner’s theater," he said, "and the renovation has taken it back to what the original building was." Not only has the almost 87-year-old building’s décor been refurbished, but the main lobby was extended and a 6,000-square-foot ballroom was built on, said Jack Cittadine, project manager for the renovation. The ballroom, Cittadine said, can accommodate practically any event, with the ability to divide the room into three sections. The theater is also equipped with a state-of-the-art sound system and a high-definition movie projector. Cittadine said he thinks it is a real tribute to the people of Elkhart to be able to pull this project off. The people supported and completed this project when others lost hope for Elkhart because of the economy, he said. "When a lot of people counted us out," Cittadine said, "we were able to pull together as a community and do this." Lerner facts The $18-million project includes: - An 8-foot extension to the main stage that can be raised or lowered depending on need; - Multiple projectors and screens to show movies and sporting events; - An advanced sound system made by Crown International in Elkhart; - 1,700 seats, down from the original 2,000 to make room for the stage extension and other new equipment; - A 6,000-square-foot ballroom that can be divided into three different rooms; - A grand staircase; and - New ADA-approved bathrooms.