BANGOR, ME.: Penobscot Theatre Company has announced the completion of renovations of its home, the historic Bangor Opera House. The effort to modernize the space was kickstarted in 2015 when one of the building’s four oil-fired furnaces died.

A capital campaign supported the projects, in addition to support from the Grants to Green program, the Quimby Family Foundation, C. Walder Parke Foundation, Morton-Kelly Charitable Trust, Belvedere Fund for Historic Preservation, and Davis Family Foundation.

Led by Deb Ball Designs, the company has upgraded its HVAC to a high-efficiency system powered by natural gas, invested in state-of-the-art LED theatrical lighting, and repaired the building envelope.

“All of these improvements contribute to a better experience and they will certainly strengthen our bottom line, but the changes our patrons will likely appreciate most happened this past month as we finally replaced our old, worn-out, awful seats and beautified the audience seating area,” said executive director Mary Budd in a statement.

Hundreds of theatre patrons responded to the company’s “Push for the Tush” campaign last year, and each of the new plush seats is donor-sponsored. Funding from the seat campaign also  went toward refinishing the original wood flooring, replacing the carpet, and installing new lighting fixtures.

“It is fitting that we’re opening our new season with The Fabulous Lipitones,” said producing artistic director Bari Newport in a statement. “Because this place has never looked or felt more fabulous! We are excited to share it with all those who made the improvements possible and many others who have yet to experience the magic of Penobscot Theatre Company.”