The response might seem less than enthusiastic to some in larger cities, if it weren't for the obvious pride that shone through for the new civic facility. The opening performance by the San Antonio Symphony tested the renovated auditorium's design, which was aimed to maximize the acoustic and visual experience.

The theater was packed to capacity with an audience eager to see how the 40-year-old Kerrville Municipal Auditorium had been transformed into the Kathleen C. Cailloux Theater. With only the stage side of the original building preserved, the building is entirely new from the orchestra pit, through the 810 seats, entrance foyer and facade on Main Street.

As audience members took their seats at 7:30 p.m., Playhouse 2000 President Kit Werlein, chairman of the capital campaign that funded the $7.3 million first phase of the development, welcomed the first-night audience. Werlein asked Pastor Warren Hornung of First United Methodist Church to offer an invocation; Hornung asked for blessing on all who contributed to the project, on those who will use it in the future and remembered the U.S. troops now defending our freedom and the citizens of Iraq.

A standing ovation was reserved for the family of Kathleen Cailloux, represented by her children Ken Cailloux and Paula Heileman.

"This is an unprecedented alliance between the public and private sectors that you see here," Werlein said.

The partnership with the City of Kerrville was marked by the presence of former Kerrville mayor Ben Low, who headed the council which approved the deal, and current Mayor Stephen Fine.

"This facility is a result of a successful endeavor by a group of people who wanted to see the best available to Kerrville," Low said, praising the work of Playhouse 2000 to meet a challenge grant to fund the facility.

"The Cailloux's have expanded and enhanced the dreams of many," he said.

Mayor Fine read a proclamation from the city that dedicated the Kathleen C. Cailloux Theater ... to performing arts for the use of visitors and citizens for generations to come.

Judge Steve Ables spoke in the absence of State Rep. Harvey Hilderbran, who was forced to remain in Austin by a debate on the house floor. Hilderbran's proclamation, read by Ables, recalled the auditorium's construction as a memorial to war veterans and praised the expanded facility that will further serve to promote Kerrville.

Shortly before 8 p.m., S.A. Symphony director Larry Rachleff took the stage and brought the orchestra to their feet to perform The Star-Spangled Banner.

Unrehearsed, 800 voices rang out the words of the national anthem in accompaniment to the orchestra concluding with whoops and cheers marking the debut piece in the reborn facility.

An hour later, before the final piece, a suite from Aaron Copland's Appalachian, Spring Rachleff expressed the delight of the San Antonio orchestra to open this temple.

"The San Antonio Symphony is yours, too," Rachleff said. "Perhaps you might have heard we need you."

He said he hoped the orchestra would get the opportunity to return to play in the Kerrville venue, which includes a specially designed acoustic shell around the stage. A one-night gala last fall paid for the $100,000 shell.

Speaking afterward, Werlein said he was happy so many experienced the performance in the new theater.

"The orchestra was wonderful," Werlein said.

"Beyond our expectation was the acoustics and how the sound was so clear," he said, praising the design of the theater.

A reception followed the concert, and the audience milled under chandeliers around the foot of the grand staircase. A wall of honor took center stage where the stairs split. Engraved on it are the names of Kerrville-area men who gave their lives during military conflicts.

Looking up at the stone wall of honor, Ken Cailloux recalled coming to the old auditorium to vote and seeing the old plaques with the names of the war dead.

"I thought it was dishonorable," he said. "I wanted it (the new memorial) to be stone. It turned out even better than I had hoped."

Of the theater named in his mother's honor, Cailloux said he thought it was something that would help the community and do something for Kerrville.

The Kathleen C. Cailloux Theater is the first phase in a development that eventually will become the Kathleen C. Cailloux City Center for the Performing Arts. Subsequent phases will provide additional rehearsal space and a costume shop, and will enable the small Washington Street theater to be used for educational purposes.

Several events are already scheduled for the theater, including the Baylor University Symphony on April 6 and the first stage show Big River set to premiere on April 10.

For more information about the theater and future productions, contact Playhouse 2000 at 830-896-9393.