After more than $6 million in renovations The Morse Theatre briefly came back to life in October 2008 only to once again be closed in February 2009 when setbacks ($500,000 arson damage) and financing disputes lead to it being closed once again.

But a report from the Tribune gives new hope for fans of the historic venue. Renamed the Mayne Stage it is set to resurrect in the coming months for concerts and other performances.

Located at 1328 W. Morse Ave, the East Rogers Park theatre first opened in 1912 showing silent movies and was closed in the mid 1970s.   The new managers plan to focus on music shows but intend to incorporate some family style programming and stage acts into the lineup as well.

Also new to the old space will be the Act One Café, a New American-style gastro pub headed by Jimmy Madla, owner of Coobah in the Southport Corridor, which will replace the the Century Public House.  No exact date has been set for the start of the new venture as various licensing needs to get approval from the city.