We Built It…And He is Coming! Des Plaines Theatre Announces Grand Opening with Kevin Costner
The historic Des Plaines Theatre has booked Hollywood legend and country music star Kevin Costner for its grand opening on October 31st. If you build it, he will come, right? Yes indeed! Costner and his Modern West band will bring their “Tales from Yellowstone” tour for this historic evening of celebration.
The revival of this 1925 vaudeville theatre has been in the works since 2019 when Ron Onesti, President & CEO of the Des Plaines Theatre, signed papers to be a part of renovating this gem of Des Plaines.
Adding Kevin Costner as the grand opening act is not just something Onesti thought would be cool. It’s also a very sentimental move for Onesti. Not only is Onesti a huge fan of Costner’s, but also credits him for inspiring him to follow his dreams into the theatre business.
It was in 2005 that Ron Onesti, President & CEO of Onesti Entertainment, and his brother Rich Onesti, Vice President of Onesti Entertainment, traveled to the Field of Dreams baseball field in Dyersville, Iowa to cross an item off their bucket list. The dream of throwing a ball around the field Kevin Costner made famous in 1989, was not the only ambition on the brothers’ minds. Ron Onesti had just visited the Arcada Theatre, a neglected run- down theatre in St. Charles, IL, on the brink of becoming an office complex, with thoughts of possibly taking over operations of the theatre. “It was going to be a huge commitment! I had a newborn at home, and the thought of bringing a theatre back to life was going to be a huge undertaking. I wasn’t sure we were making the right decision” Onesti said. It was on that field that day when it hit him…If you build it, they will come. The brothers made the decision to move forward right there amongst the cornfields…in heaven!
Sixteen years later, Onesti is about to embark on his next “If You Build It, They Will Come” moment. On Halloween Night the lights will turn back on in this magnificent landmark, and the Onesti brothers will once again think back on that day in Dyersville fondly. And what could be more fitting than to have Kevin Costner on hand – the true inspiration for their success.
“The community has been so supportive of my decision to run the Des Plaines Theatre. I have promised them it will be worth the wait, starting with a huge and historic opening night! I can’t wait to stand on the stage and see hundreds of smiling faces when live music returns to Des Plaines!”
Tickets will go on sale for Kevin Costner & Modern West’s “Tales from Yellowstone” tour Friday, September 17 at 10AM at oshows.com. In its first week, the theatre will host a star-studded lineup including Paul Anka, Amy Grant, Kenny Wayne Shepherd and others. There were initial plans to open Oct 1 with shows throughout the month. Due to a couple of construction issues, it was decided to move to October 31. Anyone who purchased tickets to shows during that time can use those tickets for the re-scheduled show.
