Downtown Leesburg was alive with excitement last Friday night as the Melon Patch Players officially opened their new home at The Tropic Theater, with the debut performance of Patrick Barlow’s Ben Hur.

The evening kicked off with a special pre-show reception at 6:15 pm, drawing a crowd of patrons, local dignitaries, and city officials, including Leesburg Mayor Alan Reisman, Commissioners Allyson Berry and Jimmy Burry, and City Manager Al Minner. During his remarks, Mayor Reisman welcomed the Melon Patch Players to their new location, calling it “an incredible first night” and emphasizing the importance of the arts to Leesburg’s vibrant downtown.

The audience was treated to the hilarious and inventive performance of Ben Hur, a comedic take on the epic tale condensed into a production starring just four actors. The play, which runs through February 9, follows an amateur theater troupe struggling to produce the massive story of Judah Ben-Hur. Complete with a chariot race, sea battle, and stage combat, the production left the audience roaring with laughter and impressed by the clever staging.

The move to The Tropic Theater is a huge step for the Melon Patch Players. Executive Director Dustin Lavine shared his excitement, noting that audience feedback about the new venue was overwhelmingly positive.

“Many patrons remarked on how much nicer the theater is—and that’s before any renovations we’ll do,” he says.

The new location at 122 W. Main Street has already proven to be a hit. People praised the comfortable seating, wider aisles, and the convenience of being able to park nearby and enjoy downtown Leesburg’s restaurants and shops before or after the show. One attendee even called to express how much she loved the new space and the performance.

The Tropic Theater, which will be home to both the Melon Patch Players and the Leesburg Center for the Arts, is part of the city’s downtown renewal program aimed at enhancing the vitality of the area. The new venue hopes to bring more visitors to downtown Leesburg, boosting local businesses and providing a centralized hub for the arts.

“The response from attendees was overwhelmingly positive, and everyone raved about the performances and expressed their gratitude for the City’s investment in the arts.,” Mayor Reisman says. “It’s clear that our community values and loves art and our vibrant downtown. We’re also looking forward to welcoming the Leesburg Center for the Arts to the Tropic Theater in the coming months, bringing all facets of the arts under one roof. Once that transition is complete, we’ll celebrate with a grand opening, marking another milestone for the arts in Leesburg. Exciting things are ahead for our city!”

The show continues its run through February 9th, with performances on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. Tickets can be securely purchased online at www.melonpatchplayers.org, and more information about the Leesburg Center for the Arts can be found at www.leesburgarts.com.