2015 Opera House Poster

UPDATE: There will only be one performance at 2pm; the 6pm performance has been cancelled. If you have tickets to the 6pm show, you can still use them at 2pm. Tickets are still available. Please call the office if you have any questions!

Please join us for another memorable installment of A Night at the Quinby Opera House set for Sunday, September 27th, 2015. The 2013 show was a not to be missed event, so be sure to mark your calendars!

The committee; comprised of Dick Benson, Margo Broehl, Dave Broehl, Richard Figge, Sally Patton, Molly Pierson, and Carolyn Sheron; has determined that the event will once again be held at First Presbyterian Churchs Bruch Hall (621 College Avenue, corner of College and Bowman St.). There will be two performances:2:00-4:00 p.m. and 6:00-8:00 p.m.

Confirmed acts for the 2015 show include Tina Benson, Ted Christopher, Carrie Culver, Brian Dykstra, Richard Figge, Sally Patton, Tom Wood, WACPAC and other are being added as you read this!

The goal of the committee is to replicate the flavor of the type of presentations that the original Quinby Opera House had in the late 1800s and the early 1900s (see a brief history below).

The cost of tickets will be $25 each and each presentation will permit 200 ticket holders to attend each performance for a total for 400 tickets for the two performances. Check your mail soon for ticket information, or please call the office.

This fundraiser will bring needed financial help to the operating fund of the WCHS. Please watch the mail in the coming months for more information. Any questions? Contact Dave Broehl by e-mail at
davidbroehl@gmail.com.

 

A Brief History of the ORIGINAL Quinby Opera HouseQuinbyOperaHouse

The Quinby Opera House was built by D.C. Curry and Brothers in 1876 at the cost of $25,000. It was originally located on the corner of North Buckeye and Larwill Streets. It was named in honor of Mr. Quinby by popular demand and against his protest, and over his veto.

The building was the vision of the Quinby Hall Association. The organization was comprised of Ephriam Quinby, Jr. – President; E. P. Bates – Secretary; J.H. Kauke; D.Q. Liggett; Ira H. Bates; and D.C. Curry.It was designed by architect C.M. Amsden, and D. Graham of Chicago designed the stage. Artist Charles Gasche was the contractor for all decorative painting, and he was assisted by Messrs, Busch, Pinney and Diehl. The opera chairs were cast by B. Barrett & Son, and upholstered by John L. Smith. The furances, water and plumbing were by A. Saybolt with gas fitting by W.S. Leyburn, plastering by William Carnes, and tinning by Aaron Lehman. All of the contractors were citizens of Wooster. The dimensions of the Opera House were 70 x 104 with an auditorium of 60 x 70 which could hold seating for 1,000 including the balconies on three sides. The stage was 44 x 32 and cost $8,000. Gas lights provided the illumination .

Opening night was held on Thursday, February 1, 1877 by Miss Effie L. Ellsler, with a performance from John Ellslers Euclid Avenue Opera House, Cleveland, in Shakespeare’s As You Like It. Woosters Amateur Dramatic Troupe performed plays there through the 1870s. A product of the era, Temperance Movement dramas were also performed at the time, the most popular being Ten Nights in a Bar Room. The building was torn down in 1900 when the newer Opera House at City Hall fell more into public favor.

 

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