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After three years of comedy shows, live music, and theatrical performances in a historic downtown St. Charles location, Moonlight Theatre is moving on.
Co-owners Joseph Mennella and Nancy Fioramonti-Mennella announced the move on social media, saying the venue is relocating to a new location that has yet to be disclosed.
Here's what to know:
The building has deep roots: The space at 7 S. Second Ave. has been tied to live entertainment since the early 1900s. The Idle Hour Theatre operated there from 1914 to 1926, drawing audiences for vaudeville acts, silent films, and serialized shows. The St. Charles City Council designated it a local historic landmark in November 2022.
Moonlight opened in 2023: According to a Daily Herald report from March 2023, Moonlight debuted with a sold-out comedy show on February 25 of that year — the first time the building had hosted live entertainment in roughly 90 years.
Three years of local programming: The venue became a popular destination for comedy, live music, and theatrical shows, regularly featuring local performers. The owners cited the area's appetite for live comedy (particularly after the closure of Zanies at Pheasant Run) as one of the reasons for opening.
The owners thanked the city of St. Charles as well as its performers, staff, and customers in its Facebook post, also saying, “We are excited for this next chapter as we look forward to providing the same great experience. We look forward to seeing all of you at our new location.”
The new location has not been announced.
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