Tab Benoit first at Stargazer's

Too big, too small or too far.

Frustrated by the lack of venues offering live entertainment in Colorado Springs, entrepreneurs John and Cindy Hooton set out to fill the gap with a "just right" theater.

"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 new Stargazer's Theater. "It's that nice, intimate experience that entertainers like to have with the audience."

The dome-shape Stargazer's building was originally the UA Cinema 150 Cinerama Theatre and later went through various incarnations as nightclubs and churches. But the Hootons have brought the building up to code, and it can now accommodate up to 600 for concerts on three seating levels beneath the grand dome decked with lights.

"It's just such a unique building," Cindy says. "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."

The sound spreading out around the theater's opening-night audience will be Benoit's signature mixture of rock and blues, inspired by his Cajun roots.

"They call me more of a Cajun blues or bayou boogie," Benoit says.

If hard to pin down in genre, Benoit's concerts always star his virtuosic guitar skills and guarantee a high-energy, hand-clapping time. Ever the improviser, his two 75-minute sets will be designed around audience requests, stories about the music and, of course, dancing.

The new Stargazer's Theater's flexibility is ready to serve: The first level will feature two open dance floors, in addition to rows of seating and table-top seating elsewhere in the theater. Those table tops will come in handy; the venue has a tavern liquor license and serves beer, wine and cocktails.

To suit Benoit's concert, the concession stand will also be offering such Cajun goodies as jambalaya and étouffée from McCabe's Tavern.

"We're a city, a big city, and we're lacking in live-entertainment venues," says John Hooton, who hopes this new theater will create "a place to go on a date for a drink, a snack and good entertainment - with free parking."

In addition to a variety of concerts scheduled for upcoming months, the Stargazer's Theater offers space for movie screenings, dinner dances, private parties and weddings, conferences and more.