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Pana’s Oak Street Station Provides Live Musical Entertainment
The dream of a Pana man is coming to fruition with the help of a Chicago songwriter and performer.
Mike Cross purchased the building at 38 Oak Street in Pana four years ago with a dream of a live performance theater.
“Four years ago when I bought the building, the idea of a theater started in my mind,” Cross said. “I was poised and ready and just waiting for the talent to come.”
Today that dream has become the Bryon Garrison Theater, a series of Chuckwagon, Branson-style shows, featuring local talents.
Each show will have a theme based on performers such as Hank Williams, Johnny and June Carter Cash, and Elvis. Performing the shows are Bryon Garrison and Cross’s daughter Destiny.
“Destiny and I are very committed to this,” Garrison added. “She’s a great singer.”
“Our theme song plays on the fact that we are close by,” Garrison said. “We have Branson-style shows without spending the time and money to go to Branson. We want to give a quality show, and we want people to be able to come back and see a new show each time they come.”
He decided to start with country music performances because “everybody around here likes country.”
“With the closing of Nashville North in Taylorville, it just seemed the right thing to do,” Garrison said.
Garrison added that the venue will provide an opportunity for guest artists and local talents to perform. Two of those local talents slated to perform are Larry and Kenny Smart of Herrick.
Cross and Garrison met in July 2008 and Cross’s dream took form.
The building, Oak Street Station, is one of the oldest standing commercial buildings in Pana and the theater couples with Destiny’s Desserts.
Visitors will also enjoy looking at the photos and memorabilia from Pana’s coal mining era and railroad days in the Dessert shop.
“When I bought the building I just restored it. I didn’t change anything,” Cross said.
Inside the theater are tables set right up to the performance area for patrons to enjoy both their meals and the show.
The dinner show is each Friday at 6 p.m. and a non-meal show is at 9 p.m. Tickets are $20 and $10 respectively.
“We will also have a Christian music night for the younger crowd on Sunday nights at 7:30,” Garrison said. “Area contemporary Christian bands are welcome to come perform. It is non-denominational and we are not here to replace church services. But kids can come here and hang out and hear a free concert.”
“This is our way of giving back to the community for their support,” he added.
Garrison noted that he is looking for “clean-cut” female background dancers for the Elvis show on November 7, which is selling out fast.
A murder-mystery dinner theater is planned for October 31.
“Most adults don’t go out and trick-or-treat, so this is something for them,” Garrison said. He added that local actors will be used and the price will be a little more expensive than the regular shows.
“We want to provide a variety of entertainment. Next year we are planning a jazz series,” Garrison said. He added that they would like to bring in more notable people to perform.
“We have a lot of ideas to explore for coming years.”
He added that they are available to organizations for fundraising.
Reservations for the shows may be made by calling 217-820-9194. Theater schedule and other information can be found at www.panaoakstreetstation.com
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