BENSON — After enduring more than its share of real-life drama by way of early season storms, the Benson community is about to be treated to the entertaining drama that only Hollywood can deliver.

After a roughly year-and-a-half hiatus, the DeMarce Theater will reopen its doors at 7 p.m. Friday under new ownership. The new "Jurassic World" movie will be featured on its opening night.

Pam (Young) and Randy Marran and their daughter, Tyler, with help from other family members and volunteers, have spent the past year remodeling the iconic theater that has been a fixture in Benson since 1925.

“We’re not doing it to make money, because we know we won’t,” said Pam Marran. She said the family’s hope is to make the theater a break-even business and to give back to the community by reopening the popular entertainment venue.

The 155-seat theater will offer a five-day-a-week schedule of first-run movies, Thursdays through Mondays. It also offers a seating area where patrons will be able to enjoy wine and beer as well as foods, including a variety of nachos, mini doughnuts, soft pretzels, and full pizzas, along with the theater’s staple — hot, buttered popcorn.

And true to its roots, the theater has kept a portion of its stage with the idea that it can host events, such as comedy nights, according to Marran.

Pam and Randy Marran live in St. Michael, where they have busy careers in the manufacturing and coffee service industries. Tyler will manage the theater, and can call on a number of family members in the Benson area for help.

Pam grew up on the family’s dairy farm outside of Benson. Her parents, brother and other extended family members remain in the area and are ready to assist with this new venture, she said. A son and family are moving from Madison to Benson and will help as well.

The Marrans purchased the theater about one year ago from Tim and Susie Kletscher. The Kletschers had purchased the theater from Larry DeMarce in 2011 and operated it until about one and a half years ago. After purchasing it from DeMarce, the Kletschers invested in upgrades to convert the 35-millimeter film projector to a modern, digital system and added a silver screen for 3D movies.

Since their purchase of the theater last June, the Marran family has been devoting weekends to completely revamping the interior. The family had initially hoped to divide the auditorium to offer two screens. They were poised to invest in the change, until they learned that the change would require adding a sprinkler system that would essentially double the project costs.

They put their energies — and funds — into creating a modern and fresh appearance in the theater. The family and their helpers completely remodeled and reconfigured the lobby. They installed comfy, leather seats previously used in the St. Michael Theater in the auditorium. They further added new carpeting in the lobby and auditorium, installed new ceiling tiles in the lobby and climbed scaffolding to touch up the auditorium ceiling with fresh paint.

Their first project was outside: The theater now sports an entirely new facade and marquee.

It’s all taken a lot of labor, and more time than expected. Pam Marran said they originally hoped to re-open the theater in November or December. They ran into a lot of supply chain challenges. Decisions by Hollywood to delay the release of anticipated blockbuster movies until this year also factored into the timing of the opening, she said.

Marran said the Benson community lost two of its recreational venues in the past year: a bowling alley and skating rink. She believes the theater is an important asset for the community, and is hopeful that it will be supported by the community.

She has reason to be optimistic. The family hosted a two-hour, sneak preview of their remodeling work for the community at the theater on April 16. The response exceeded their expectations. Some 300 guests dropped by during the short time frame. The crowd overflowed the lobby and spilled into the auditorium.

From the start, the family decided it would keep the DeMarce name. It’s been synonymous with movies in Benson since John DeMarce purchased the former Viking Theater at this location in 1925. The founder’s son Larry DeMarce welcomed moviegoers to the theater for more than 42 years.

While movies and popcorn will always be its staples, Pam Marran said the family will also work to expand the entertainment and recreational opportunities at the site. They are looking to offer a golf simulator in the auditorium, host children’s birthday parties, and possibly host live entertainment events.

Marran said they are counting on community feedback as they explore what works best. “One thing about small towns,” said the Benson native. “Everyone has opinions. They will be sharing,” she laughed.