In this story, it appears the villain is the staggering economy.

It knocked out the first plan Hale Center folks had for a new, bigger and better building.

Now it's happening again.

The building they announced just before last Christmas is on hold — thanks to an economy teetering on recession that's stopped the Midtown Village construction.

Now on their third set of plans, their third and pricier budget, Hale Center owners Anne and Cody Swenson and Linda and Cody Hale are back at the gate, waiting.

They should get a medal for patience and an Oscar for endurance.

They've paid their dues. They've waited for almost 10 years since they decided they simply couldn't keep doing shows in the tiny renovated Veterans Hall at 225 W. 400 North in Orem.

They've put on 141 shows in the cramped space since 1990. They've pushed and pulled the pieces of what Anne Swenson calls their "little puzzle theater" until you'd think the place would break.

Every niche and corner is being used.

Props are stored off site and outside. Rehearsals are carefully scheduled so while a show is going, another is coming together downstairs or at a nearby high school. (Some casts only get a week on the real stage.)

Parking at the theater is a challenge. Most theater patrons either head for the gravel area or wear their walking shoes.

In 2000, the plan was to go into the Pinehurst Plaza on 800 North as an anchor.

But after terrorists attacked the twin towers in New York, talks between Hale Center and Pinehurst broke down.

The Hales and Swensons started over and announced they would be on the ground floor of the new Midtown Village complex.

In late 2007 the builders decided it was problematic to fit a theater beneath residential living space.

Hence, the plan to build the Hale Center its own $7.5 million space on the southwest corner of the project. Everyone involved celebrated. Enthusiasm bubbled.

"Christmas Carol 2008" was to debut in the new building.

"That's the one thing we know for sure," said Jim Murphy, who raises funds for the Hale Foundation. "We won't be doing 'Christmas Carol' in the new building."

Murphy said everyone involved is still wishing on the stars and trying to be optimistic.

"We'd like the theater built as expediently at possible. Our goal is to have a new building as soon as possible in a great location like Midtown," he said.

"This is a scary time," Murphy added. "I'm excited about our expansion and we continue to progress, but this one aspect is a little disconcerting."

Meanwhile, building costs climb and hopes — bolstered by sheer will and blind faith — threaten to dim.

Anyone know a fairy godmother we could call?

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E-mail: haddoc@desnews.com