Now you see him ... and now you see him.

The Olney Theatre Center has concluded its nearly year-long search for an artistic director by hiring -- (drumroll, please) -- Jim Petosa, who has held the identical job at the Montgomery County performing arts complex for the past 15 years.

Petosa initially announced in June 2007 that he would leave the theater center at the end of the current season, in part to devote more time to Boston University, where he is stage director of the school's Opera Institute. Recently, the board asked Petosa to reconsider his decision to step down. 

In a news release, Petosa says that his decision to remain at Olney was influenced by the recent hire of Amy Marshall as Olney's new managing director.

"I am energized by the Board's unexpected invitation to continue as Artistic Director," he says. "It is a new chapter in the life of this theater." 

(Photo courtesy of The National Players)