While New York's 42nd Street boasts the New Victory Theatre, Evansville, Indiana can now brag about its old Victory Theatre. As reported by AP, the 77-year-old, 1,950-seat Victory Theatre reopened -- after $19 million in renovations -- with an Aug. 21 performance by comedian Carrot Top.

For theatregoers, the Victory will serve as a tour stop during its Toyota Victory Series, starting Oct. 2 with Robert Wagner & Jill St. John in Love Letters. Nov. 24 brings Tap Dogs, while Mar. 24, 1999 offers Hal Holbrook in Mark Twain Tonight. Not part of the Toyota Series is the Nov. 6 tour stop of Spirit Dance. Also, the Tales & Scales children's theatre touring company will offer A Harper's Tale, Sept. 12.

Evansville Dance Theatre and the Evansville Philharmonic will also use the venue, according to director of marketing Denise Largent (reached Aug. 25). Ogden Entertainment owns and operates the Victory, as well as Roberts Stadium and Mesker Amphitheatre.

For information on productions at the Victory Theatre on Main St., call (812) 476-1383 or check out their website, http://www.robertstadium.com. The website notes that the venue will also host Broadway shows, but none are yet on the schedule.

-- By David Lefkowitz