The Valley Center Playhouse, owned by Keith and Jody Renstrom, has been providing family entertainment in Utah Valley for 31 years.

Started in 1975, their first location was in downtown Provo. Eventually, they moved to Orem and then to Lindon in 1984. They have remained at this location for 22 years.

The Renstroms have been involved in theater for much of their lives.

"I was running my own theater in fourth grade," said Jody Renstrom. "In high school, I had the opportunity to perform at Grauman's Chinese Theatre."

Keith Renstrom also grew up enjoying the theater. After the two married, had six children and moved from California to Utah, they decided to open a theater of their own.

"There needed to be a family theater in this area," said Jody Renstrom. After renting the Provo and Orem buildings, they decided to purchase the building in Lindon.

"We asked ourselves 'Do we want to do this the rest of our livesfi' and we thought 'Yeah, we do,' " she said.

The six Renstrom children grew up helping their parents with the playhouse.

"They all had their turn on stage," said Jody Renstrom. They also helped with directing, lighting, running concessions and sweeping the floor.

According to Jody Renstrom, "Our main goal is to provide wholesome entertainment. We have always screened every play and nothing is ever offensive."

They advertise that the playhouse offers fun and delightful entertainment for all ages.

The Renstroms run the theater themselves with the help of a director and costumer for each play.

"We fill in all the cracks," said Jody Renstrom. The playhouse holds auditions for each production. Approximately 15 people are involved in each one.

The playhouse is currently showing two Halloween productions. "Hotel Frankenstein" is a comedy which is playing for the 25th year.

Jody Renstrom said, "After the 20th year, we thought people would be getting tired of it, but we had so many people ask for it."

Thirteen years ago, the Renstroms wanted to offer a choice for Halloween so Jody Renstrom wrote the script and music for "Shadowbrook Mansion," which is a musical comedy. The two Halloween plays will run through October.

"Shadowbrook Mansion" was the fourth play that Renstrom wrote. She has written 13 plays for the theater. Keith Renstrom helps her come up with ideas.

"He has a wonderful imagination," she said. The couple has written one play together which was a civil war play titled "Under Both Flags."

November's production will be "The Rented Christmas." "It is the cutest, sweetest story," said Jody Renstrom. The day after Thanksgiving, "The Best Christmas Pageant Ever" will open and run through December.

The Renstroms have always enjoyed owning the Valley Center Playhouse.

"It has always been such a joy. We've met some wonderful friends," said Jody Renstrom.

The theater-in-the-round seats 169 people. Tickets are sold at the door and reservations can be made by calling 785-1186.