FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: August 26, 2024
Monticello, IN – Ryan Harrison, Ryan Crawford (The Ryan’s), and their son Franklin Harrison Crawford are thrilled to announce the reopening of The Peacock Theatre, formerly known as Twin Lakes Cinema, on Friday, September 20th, 2024. The public is invited to a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 1:00 PM. Please note that street parking is limited, but free parking is available in the city lot behind the theatre, accessible via the newly resurfaced courtyard.
After purchasing the theatre in August 2023 and operating it until February 2024, the Ryan’s temporarily closed the venue for a planned 6–8-week renovation. However, as Ryan Harrison explains, “One project led to another, and before we knew it, the entire auditorium was under renovation.” Now, after eight months of hard work, Phase I of the renovation is nearly complete, and they are excited to share the results with the community.
Phase I updates primarily focus on the auditorium. Ryan Crawford shared, “It was important to us to return the theatre to its roots by returning to an art
deco design, a single screen, and a stage. We’ve also added a larger electric screen to fully utilize the stage again.”
The Ryan’s have also signed a contract to purchase the adjoining office space, which will be used to create a new lobby entrance, ADA-compliant
bathrooms, and ramp, ensuring the venue is fully accessible. “It’s important to us that everyone can enjoy what The Peacock Theatre will have to offer
without any barriers,” Ryan Harrison added.
Phase II of the renovation is set to begin in 2025, coinciding with the seasonal opening of the Lake Shore Drive-In, which the Ryan’s also recently acquired. During this phase, the front of the theatre will receive significant updates, and The Peacock Theatre will be temporarily closed.
To mark the reopening and the 50th anniversary of the 1974 tornado that devastated the theatre and much of downtown Monticello, The Peacock
Theatre will host a special screening event.
Reopening Weekend Showtimes:
Friday, September 20th:
- 2:00 PM – *Twister* (1996) (Free admission with a ticket to *Twisters*)
- 7:00 PM – *Twisters* (2024)
Saturday, September 21st & Sunday, September 22nd:
- Noon – *Twister* (1996) (Free admission with a ticket to *Twisters*)
- 2:00 PM & 7:00 PM – *Twisters* (2024)
Ticket Price: $6.00 for all seats.
Regular hours will be Friday, Saturday, and Sunday at 7:00 PM, with additional matinee showings on Saturday and Sunday at 2:00 PM.
The Peacock Theatre will continue to show first-run movies and add live events to its programming. The theatre will also serve as the home of the Peacock Music Company, an authorized Allen Organ dealership. Ryan Crawford explained, “We will be installing a hybrid Allen Organ that operates
the 3/16-Wheeler-Wicks pipe organ, along with parts of the Martinelli-Wicks pipe organ. We’ll also be installing a pipe facade and organ pipes from the
now-demolished First United Methodist Church of Hume, Illinois. We plan to host some events focused on theatre music, including concerts and silent
films accompanied by the theatre organ. A grand opening for the Peacock Music Company will be announced later.”
For updates on upcoming events, please sign up at:
Ryan Harrison can also be reached via email at
The Peacock Theatre – Monticello
107 S Main Street
Monticello, IN 47960
(574) 583-9466
Phase I renovation also included updates to the exterior signage. A new sign panel and brick columns were recently completed.