Soon after the facility, also known as the Newton W. Edwards Amphitheater, was destroyed on Oct. 17, 2004, Mason District Supervisor Penelope Gross (D) vowed to erect a replacement structure at the same site nestled in a wooded area of the park at 6621 Columbia Pike.

First opened in 1984, the amphitheater over the years has been the venue for the annual free summer concert series called Spotlight by Starlight, which features dance as well as jazz, blues, classical and folk music and children's shows.

“The amphitheater is almost exactly the way it was before,” said Gross pointing out that certain changes had been made, including the installation of additional bench seating, now giving the theater a 350-seat capacity.

The dimensions of the stage itself are the same as before: roughly 30 feet deep and 40 feet wide.

Work with acoustic engineers has ensured that audiences will experience "the same beautiful acoustics we had before,” Gross said.

Instead of the treated lumber used to construct the previous amphitheater, more advanced composite materials were incorporated in the new structure. Fiber cement panels were applied to the theater's walls, and a wood and plastic composite lumber product was used for the stage decking.

The electrical box that was determined to be the cause of last year's fire was replaced and for safety reasons moved a suitable distance away from the amphitheater itself.

For the performers and entertainers, the dressing rooms have been slightly enlarged, and handicapped-accessible parking has been added.

About $550,000 was allocated by Fairfax County for the amphitheater reconstruction. Lumped into the total price tag was funding for demolition of the gutted structure and removal of out-of-code footings.

“Most if not all of [the cost] was covered by insurance,” Gross said. "It turned out it was all part of the county's massive risk management [portfolio].”

The resurrection of the amphitheater, Gross said, was a collaborative effort involving the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors; county executive Anthony Griffin; a project team assembled by the county park authority; and the park authority board.

From a community group called the Friends of Mason District Park, Gross cited the contributions of two members, Frank Vajda and Dorothy Norpel.

U.S. Rep. Tom Davis (R-11th) and Cox Communications each contributed $1,000 to the project, and a number of smaller individual donations were also received.

“We've had an awful lot of community support,” Gross said.

From the park authority, Gross commended manager Richard Maple and his Area 2 maintenance crew for their efforts.

“He and his staff devoted hundreds of hours to make sure this turned out right,” she said. “This was not on their original work plan, but they really stepped up.”

Vienna-based Centennial Contractors Enterprises Inc., a construction company already vetted and approved to perform work for the county park authority, was the prime contractor for the amphitheater reconstruction.

“This was their first big test, and they passed with flying colors,” Gross said.

Asked about her role in seeing the amphitheater project through from start to finish, Gross quipped, "I helped to get the stars aligned.”

The City of Fairfax Concert Band will open the Spotlight by Starlight summer concert series on Sunday, June 5, at 7:30 p.m. A rededication ceremony for the amphitheater plus a reception will be held before the concert at 6 p.m.