On Saturday, the curtain will rise on the Richmond CenterStage complex

Friday will be a bit like Christmas Eve for the directors of the nine resident companies of Richmond CenterStage.

The next day, the performing-arts complex in the core of downtown Richmond will finally open with a smattering of performances from each of them, signifying a victory that naysayers claimed would never occur.

The $73.5 million project was announced in 2001 and scaled back in 2005. Throughout the years, much consternation and uncertainty followed the development of CenterStage.

However, in the weeks leading up to the inauguration, the mood among those directly involved with the complex hovered near euphoric.

"We're just thrilled," said Grant Mudge, artistic director of Richmond Shakespeare. "Not only does [CenterStage] have a couple of terrific venues in it, but the one we're using has a bar attached to it!"

David Fisk, the Richmond Symphony's executive director, was equally effusive.

"You can't imagine the sense of keen anticipation we feel," he said. "After an intended two-year absence [when the Carpenter Center closed] turning into five, we're watering at the mouth to be back home."

Also staking out a spot at CenterStage, which includes the 1,800-capacity Carpenter Theatre, the 200-seat Gottwald Playhouse and the spacious Rhythm Hall, are: Virginia Opera, African American Repertory Theatre, Richmond Ballet, Richmond Jazz Society, Theatre IV/Barksdale, Elegba Folklore Society and School of the Performing Arts in the Richmond Community.

Here's a look at what each group will bring with its CenterStage tenure.

Tickets to all productions can be purchased at Ticketmaster outlets, http://www.ticketmaster.com (search "Richmond Centerstage" or "Centerstage") or by calling (800) 745-3000.

. . .

Richmond Shakespeare

Like many of the CenterStage residents, Richmond Shakespeare hasn't had a permanent home the past five years. Its indoor performances were staged at Second Presbyterian Church, with its summer shows presented amid the outdoor elegance of Agecroft Hall.

That signature series, which Mudge adores because of the unique and fitting surroundings, will continue.

However, tickets are now also on sale for the winter productions to be held in the Gottwald Playhouse, which is about double the capacity of the church.

"Much Ado About Nothing" -- which Mudge said is the most requested production in the history of the organization -- will mark Richmond Shakespeare's full performance debut at CenterStage and run Oct. 1-25.

Also on the itinerary are "A Christmas Carol" (Dec. 7, 14 and 21); "Othello" -- in collaboration with the African American Repertory Theatre -- (in February and March); and Timothy Findley's "Elizabeth Rex" (in April).

Details: http://www.richmondshakespeare.com or (804) 232-4000.

. . .

Richmond Ballet

Since the Carpenter Center closed in 2004, the Richmond Ballet has not only been nomadic but also forced to assume the burden of renting physical productions -- props, costumes, etc. -- for its shows.

That is why some popular productions, such as "Romeo and Juliet," haven't been performed in the intervening years -- it simply was too costly.

But now that the group can call the Carpenter Theatre its permanent performance home, expect to see the timeless tale of the fated lovers onstage Feb. 12-14; also on the wish list are many other "story ballets" that can be suitably produced in the new space.

Without question, the Richmond Ballet's most popular production is "The Nutcracker." The ballet's managing director, Keith Martin, said a new version of the show has been designed specifically for the Carpenter Theatre.

The show is slated for Dec. 11-13 and Dec. 17-23 (it also will be staged at Norfolk's Chrysler Hall Dec. 4-6 for the second consecutive year).

Details: http://www.richmondballet.com or (804) 344-0906.

. . .

Richmond Symphony

As exhilarated and relieved as David Fisk is for the Richmond Symphony to finally have a stable performance location again, he's equally eager for the community to experience the nuances of CenterStage.

"There was a long relationship between us and the Carpenter Center, but we're going back to a place that will feel transformed from what it was," he said.

While the majority of Richmond Symphony performances will take place in the Carpenter Theatre, the other venues will provide opportunities that Fisk hopes will unite the musicians with their fans.

The Richmond Symphony will occupy 70 to 80 dates at CenterStage this season including four pops concerts, 16 dates in the Masterworks series and a new family series, the LolliPops, on three Saturday mornings.

Details: http://www.richmondsymphony.com or (804) 788-1212.

. . .

Elegba Folklore Society

Though the Elegba Folklore Society doesn't have any definitive events planned for CenterStage past the opening weekend performances, that doesn't mean founder Janine Bell isn't making mental notes of how to use the new space.

"I believe we can use any of the spaces, but most likely the Gottwald Playhouse and Rhythm Hall because we're going to be involved in educational efforts," she said. "This is a new and cooperative way for the Richmond area to instill educational experiences through the arts."

Details: http://www.efsinc.org or (804) 644-3900.

. . .

SPARC

The School of the Performing Arts in the Richmond Community definitely brings down the average age of CenterStage residents.

The intent of the school, according to interim director Randy Wycoff, is to never turn away anyone between ages 5 to 18 who is interested in mastering the performing arts -- singing, dancing, acting.

The 27-year-old organization holds in-school and out-of-school programs and usually doesn't present massive productions. Still, SPARC's inclusion in the CenterStage grand opening show -- the kids will perform a piece from "Les Miserables" -- will likely introduce the organization to a new audience.

"We're terrifically excited because it's going to provide us with a public forum the size and scope we've never had before," Wycoff said. "It puts us on a literal and figurative stage that is much grander than we are used to."

Details: http://www.sparconline.org or (804) 353-3393.

. . .

Theatre IV/Barksdale

Along with expanded dressing rooms and niceties for the performers and plush seating and well-stocked concession stands for the audiences, there is an artistic benefit to CenterStage that perfectly complements Theater IV/Barksdale: the opportunity to work with the other arts groups.

"Being able to partner with them, I think it strengthens our sense of community when we can work together sharing space," said Barksdale's director, Bruce Miller.

Indeed, the theater is co-producing "Black Nativity" with the African American Repertory Theatre, to be performed in the Gottwald Playhouse in December and January.

Details: http://www.barksdalerichmond.org or (804) 282-2620.

. . .

Richmond Jazz Society

The statewide organization has been producing and supporting high-end jazz performances and workshops in clubs, music halls, churches and parks for 30 years. CenterStage is now providing it with a trio of new staging opportunities.

"The complex has the potential of becoming a state-of-the-art venue for jazz performances by regional, national and international artists," said B.J. Brown, executive director of Richmond Jazz Society.

Details: http://www.vajazz.org or (804) 643-1972.

. . .

African American Repertory Theatre

For the past seven years, the organization that explores the black experience from a theatrical point of view has bounced from its own little space downtown, to Barksdale Theatre, then to Pine Camp Arts and Community Center.

Now, the group will have space allocated at the Gottwald Playhouse, and the opportunity to collaborate with other resident groups.

Derome Smith, artistic director for AART, said he hopes to work with Richmond Shakespeare, Richmond Ballet and Virginia Opera. "I think the conversation is there because we're talking about diversity and how the arts need to be more diverse."

AART's first full performance at CenterStage will be "Mahalia," about the life of Mahalia Jackson, which opens Oct. 30.

Details: http://livingwordstage.com or (804) 355-2187.

. . .

Virginia Opera

The lack of a permanent home the past five years has been an inconvenience for many CenterStage residents, but for the Virginia Opera, it also affected its art.

"This puts us back in a space that's a better fit for opera," said Gus Stuhlreyer, general director and CEO of the Norfolk-based organization. "God love the Landmark, but it was enormous. We were never going to sell it out or create that sense of urgency to get tickets."

While the Virginia Opera will primarily use the Carpenter Theatre for productions -- "La Bohéme" is the first, Oct. 23-25 -- the neighboring Rhythm Hall also will be used for pre-performance lectures.

Details: http://www.vaopera.org or (804) 644-8168.

Contact Melissa Ruggieri at (804) 649-6120 or .