Newberry Opera House is gearing up for another show stopper of a season.
The 2012-13 season runs from Sept. 9 through May 11 and contrary to the name, there is more than just the typical Barber of Seville opera shows.
Although, Barber of Seville is one of the shows.
Other genres that are represented include: country, folk and bluegrass, dance, Broadway, popular and well-known singers and groups and even cowboy movies. The opera house also counts on local acts such as the Newberry Ballet Guild and Newberry College’s theater program to deliver performances for the community.
While the opera house’s director Deborah Smith says that last year was great, this year is even more exciting with many of the same acts as well as new ones.
In fact, just Tuesday Smith says that Clint Black just confirmed for this upcoming season.
As far as the near future is concerned, Smith says that the first couple weeks of the season is jam packed with shows which is rare for September. The first couple of weeks in the season are the last two weeks in September.
Smith rattles off familiar names such as the Oak Ridge boys and the Glen Miller Orchestra who are returning but is also excited about the new faces such as Gordon Lightfoot, Jo Dee Messina and Broadway plays such as Fiddler on the Roof and A Chorus Line.
Altogether, Smith has more than 100 shows for the season and the list is never finite.
Smith best describes the season as “eclectic, with something for everyone.”
She enjoys bringing in a variety of events for anyone to enjoy.
When the opera house has a packed calendar and tours coming in, Newberry wins as more people shop, dine and stay the night at the hotels.
Smith mentions that a tour bus was just in this week and with a bus of about 40 people, the town’s economy picks up.
Smith and the opera house employees enjoy directing people to the restaurants, hotels and shops and even Carter and Holmes for their orchids.
The combination of opera house showstoppers and downtown Newberry ensures that the town keeps moving on and Smith is excited about that and that upcoming season.
The months of preparation for the season is much work, says Smith, but exciting when it comes together. People may visit the opera house’s website at www.newberryoperahouse.com, call the box office at 276-6264 or visit them in person at 1201 McKibben St., Newberry.
Smith strongly encourages in-person visits so that the staff can meet the people. When people come out to buy tickets at the box office, they can look around the opera house and see where their seat is.
No matter where their seat is, it’ll be intimate as the opera house seats just over 400.
After all the last row of seats is only 70 feet away, she points out.
Post a Comment
