Too big, too small or too far: Frustrated by the lack of live-entertainment venues in Colorado Springs, entrepreneurs John and Cindy Hooton set out to fill the city’s entertainment gap with a theater that was “just right.”

“The furthest seat from the center of the stage is 70 feet,” says John, swinging his arm to take in the fruit of their labors, the Stargazers Theater. “It’s that nice intimate experience that entertainers like to have with the audience.”

A geodesic dome resembling a perfect half sphere, the Stargazers building was originally the UA Cinema 150 Cinerama Theatre and afterwards went through various incarnations as night clubs and churches. But the Hootons have brought the building back to its roots and up to code, and it can now accommodate up to 600 people for concerts on three seating levels beneath the grand dome decked with lights.

“It’s just such a unique building,” says Cindy. “The response we’re getting from the public has been amazing. Everyone seems thrilled to get to come here again, where they used to see movies or maybe had their first date.”

Someone who is certainly thrilled to return is the star of the theater’s grand-opening concert, Louisiana bluesman Tab Benoit. “It’s been a while since I’ve played in the dome and I’m looking forward to getting back to it,” Benoit says of his Feb. 5 performance. “That place always sounded good, big enough so that the sound spreads out nicely.”

CLICK HERE to read the full text of this article, which published in the Jan. 29, 2009 Out There section of The Gazette.