It’s back! More than a decade after the marquee lights went dim, The Ingersoll dinner theater officially re-opened to live audiences on New Years Eve.
The Ingersoll’s Grand Opening, December 2025.
The Ingersoll, 3711 Ingersoll, is a premier dinner theater offering a sophisticated blend of chef-crafted dining and live performances. Every guest’s ticket includes a multi-course meal plus entertainment in an inviting, upscale atmosphere. Parking is conveniently located nearby at 609 38th Street or on-street.
Tickets are on sale now for upcoming shows, including jazz orchestra performances, Broadway revues, comedians, tribute bands, drag shows and more. Right now, The Ingersoll is running a “Dinner On Us” for all shows in January and February, where tickets are just $60 for dinner and a show.
“As a dinner theater, we bring our community a place to gather, celebrate, and experience something special. We offer an elevated blend of dining and live performance that enriches the local arts scene and gives people a memorable night out close to home,” said Renee Crowell, executive director of The Ingersoll. “By creating a space where creativity, connection, and great food come together, we aim to support local talent and strengthen the vibrant culture of our neighborhood.”
Historical photo of the Ingersoll Dinner Theater, 1970s.
For those not familiar with the history of the theater, The Ingersoll first opened in 1939 as a movie theater. It was among the first theaters in Iowa built exclusively for sound films. The theater first closed in 1977. Throughout the 1980s and into the ’90s, The Ingersoll re-opened as a dinner theater catering to audiences of all ages. After brief stints as a restaurant and then a nightclub, the theater closed in 2014 and sat vacant for more than a decade until it was purchased by local developer Connor Delaney in 2022. Joined by co-owner and VenuWorks CEO Steve Peters, the new ownership has brought The Ingersoll back to life through an extensive historic rehabilitation effort.
“A key goal of (The Ingersoll) is to brighten the lives of everyone in our community by bringing back the magic of live entertainment and genuine human connection,” said Crowell.
1 question for The Ingersoll:
Q: What’s your favorite part of doing business on The Avenues?
A: We love being surrounded by such a wide variety of businesses, each offering something unique, yet blending together to create a vibrant, welcoming neighborhood. It’s inspiring to be part of a place where collaboration and care are part of everyday life.
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