GRAND RAPIDS (WZZM) -- This city is widely considered to have one of the top community theatres in the country; the man many credit for creating that excellence has died. Paul Dreher was 80 and recently was ill.

Dreher managed the Grand Rapids Civic Theatre for 39 years before retiring in 1999. He never fully retired of course, and was involved in directing the Circle Theatre's current production of 'Wait Until Dark.'

His expertise was lighting, direction and production-- passions he shared with the thousands that have worked at the Grand Rapids Civic Theatre, said Bruce Tinker. Tinker, the theatre's artistic and managing director, said Dreher touched so many lives, the as-yet unplanned celebration of his life "will need to be done with the right plan in the right way."

The auditorium at the Meijer Majestic Theatre that houses the Civic Theatre was named after Dreher.

GRAND RAPIDS (WZZM)-A newly-approved film will be shot in the Grand Rapids area.

The Michigan Film Office announced Wednesday that $105,644 in state film incentives have been approved for "A Matter of Faith." The film focuses on the topic of creation versus evolution through the story of a college student, her father and her professor. Crews are expected to shoot scenes from the movie at Cornerstone College and Aquinas College, as well as other Grand Rapids area locations. Filming should take place over the next month.

"A Matter of Faith" is expected to generate $376,765 in in-state spending. Its producers are expected to hire 29 Michigan workers with a full-time equivalent of two jobs.

The Michigan Economic Development Corporation also approved $123,209 in incentives for "Dogman 2: Wrath of the Litter," which will be produced by Brauer Productions in Traverse City. Filming will take place in Benzie County this fall.