A highly anticipated new theatre has transformed the storefront at 5451 N. Broadway Ave. Its debut show, The Hound of the Baskervilles presented by Idle Muse Company kicked-off the new theatre on March 5 and will run through April 3.

The resident company at the space is Li’l Buds Theatre Co., a group that caters specifically to children. Their first production, Penelope Pennyworth Girl Detective: Case of the Boogeyman will open on April 16 and run through May 8.

The Edge Theatre will also house the offices for Li’l Buds Theatre Co. as well as offer their classes for kids during the year and a summer camp program.

The Edge Theatre completely gutted the building and will provide an upscale, state-of-the-art experience to storefront theater companies. The 119-seat space has a large proscenium stage with a fly space which allows unique opportunities for set design as well as an advanced lighting and sound system.

They will have a Hearing Loop in the theater allowing hearing aid users to switch their hearing aides to T to hear the show better as well as assistive hearing devices.

The large lobby will have comfortable seating and a full-service bar. In January, the theatre secured both liquor and amusement licenses.

Edge theatre worked with architect Peter Siegal to design the space and construction was completed by general contractor Build Corps, Inc. With the primary goal to build a space for its resident group Li’l Buds Theatre, it was a two-year journey to open the doors to the public.

Anne Phillips who has served on the Board of Li’l Buds Theatre Company for the past five years admits that construction was a challenge. She said, “When working with older buildings there are always some surprises that present themselves that can have a significant affect on your schedule.”

Phillips however, is proud of the end result, “I am very excited to have a beautiful space for performing arts groups to use and share with their audience. It has been great to hear the positive and supportive comments from people who have seen and experienced the theatre. There is a real need for this kind of space for performers. I wish we could have built 3 more of these theaters.”

The Edge Theatre has scheduled an open house on April 16, the same day as the premiere of Li’l Buds Theatre’s Penelope Pennyworth Girl Detective: Case of the Boogeyman. The party will be from 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m. for the public to see and tour the space.