The stage is set and after 12 years of planning and work, the historic Strand Theatre in Moundsville will officially reopen next week.

The theater closed indefinitely in 1996 and was purchased by a nonprofit group in 2000. The original group who worked to get this far said they expected to reopen the theater a few years after the group formed, but tough economic times forced them to wait.

"At first, people would ask us, well how long is it going to take us to finish the theater? As soon as we signed on and started the project, we said, 'Well, well probably five years.' Well it took 12 years," said Dave Knuth of the Marshall County Chamber of Commerce. "Once we start something, we are going to finish it, and that has been the intention since we signed on."

The Strand was built in 1920 and crews have been doing a lot of work for the past few years.

"We've decided now that we should have some sort of celebration with people involved with the theater over the years to help renovate it," Knuth said.

The grand reopening next week will be invitation only with a screening of the movie "Fool's Parade." The movie, which has a scene in it about the theater, features Jimmy Stewart and was filmed in Moundsville in the 1970s.

After the event, he said the theater will be a place for residents to enjoy.

"The community is welcome to come in. We can have various types of events here, which we have since August 20," Knuth said.

It took $1.2 million to renovate the theater and Knuth said about $400,000 worth of work still needs to be done. Organizers are looking to get new seats, a sound and lighting system and a new concession area. He said that will happen, but will take some time.