the Tiller Sisters, a singing and dancing act called "The Big Surprise", and the Guzmania Trio of acrobats. This was followed by a movie, The Commuters. The Maryland Theatre operated until November 1973. A February 8, 1974 fire destroyed the front block, which was demolished. In 1978, the front was converted into a courtyard plaza and a new, smaller lobby was constructed for the reopening. In 1994, a portion of the film Guarding Tess featuring Nicolas Cage and Shirley MacLaine was filmed inside the theatre. In 2010, the Maryland Theatre acquired the McBare Building, a three-story Italianate commercial building located partially in front of the theater, to expand its office and lobby space. The concession stand was located in the main floor of the McBare Building until 2018. The Maryland Theatre's interior was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1976. 2019 expansion and new lobby In 2018, the 1978 lobby, the McBare Building, and the courtyard were demolished to begin an expansion of the Theatre into a Performing Arts Complex, finished and opened in October 2019. The complex contains an expansive lobby, a cocktail lounge, offices for the Maryland Symphony Orchestra, a VIP suite, a rehearsal stage, and a ballroom. This expansion accompanied the expansion of the adjacent Barbara Ingram School for the Arts. The project was designed by Grimm + Parker Architects. See also List of concert halls References External links The Maryland Theatre Web Site , including photo in 1988, at Maryland Historical Trust website Buildings and structures in Hagerstown, Maryland Concert halls in the United States Movie palaces Theatres in Maryland Theatres on the National Register of Historic Places in Maryland Tourist attractions in Hagerstown, Maryland National Register of Historic Places in Washington County, Maryland Thomas W. Lamb buildings