After more than $4 million and 15 months of construction, the State Theatre will reopen its doors this December with a performance by pianist and Grammy award-winning composer Mike Reid.

Originally constructed in 1938, the State Theatre, 128 W. College Ave., closed in 2001 for renovations and is projected to reopen Dec. 14, said John Hook, State Theatre chief executive officer.

Reid, honorary chairman of the community theatre project, played football and majored in piano at Penn State in the 1960s before signing with the Cincinnati Bengals in 1970, Hook said.

Reid has focused on music since ending his football career and has written hit songs for recording artists such as Willie Nelson, Tim McGraw and Bette Midler, according to the Nashville Songwriters Foundation's Web site.

"He played pro football for a few years but returned to his first love -- music," Hook said. "We had been hoping that he would be available to come up and do a concert."

John Hunchar (sophomore-mechanical engineering) said he is looking forward to Reid's performance.

"My dad used to tell me about him when I was little to encourage me to play piano," Hunchar said. "I thought it was cool that an NFL player was also into music."

Some students might not be interested in the performance, Scott Curren (senior-human development and family studies) said.

"I think music majors will get something out of it," he said.

However, Reid's status as a Penn State graduate will appeal to the community and attract listeners, he said.

"It's neat that it's a hometown guy coming back. That will be major," he said.

A diverse audience will be interested in the performance because of Reid's popularity both on the field and the stage, Hunchar said.

"I think it's something that football fans and music fans can both enjoy," he said.

The State Theatre will focus on bringing in local groups as well as outside performers, he said.

"It's a community-owned theatre and non-profit organization," Hook said. "It makes sense that we'd give community organizations and people within the community the opportunity to use the facility. That's the reason why it's there."

Following Reid's performance, the State Theatre will also showcase different genres of films.

With about 570 seats inside, the size of the State Theatre makes it appealing to audiences looking for a smaller venue, Hook said.

"There are a whole lot of acts that the Bryce Jordan Center or Eisenhower wouldn't touch because they wouldn't be able to sell enough seats," Hook said. "Those acts are something that we could book and do very well with [at the State Theatre]."

Hook said the State Theatre will offer distinctive entertainment including classic and foreign films.