A sparkling jewel of the downtown Lexington arts community for the past 30 years, the Opera House, in all its grandeur, has been a gentle reminder of a time gone by, of the struggles endured, and of the faith and determination withstood to keep it standing. Built in 1886, the Opera House helped put Lexington on the artistic map, drawing crowds from around the country, and since its near destruction, turned resuscitation, in 1976, it has been instrumental in keeping local arts groups performing.
Theatre became popular in Lexington during the late 1700s and early 1800s, in part because the city was a hub of both intellect and culture and also because many other cities didn't have a venue in which to hold performances. Many theatres began popping up around downtown, although many of them closed just as quickly. By 1810, Lexington almost always had at least two theatre houses competing for business. Lell's Hall, built in 1882, still stands at 412 West Short Street (now part of Victorian Square Shoppes), while the first Opera House, which was located at the southeast corner of Main and Broadway, burned to the ground in 1886. Theatre had such an economic, as well as emotional, impact on the town at that time, that plans were immediately made to start building a new Opera House. It was completed in only one month and in full-performing swing a year later.
Over the years the Opera House underwent many changes. It was remodeled several times as a movie house and was initially saved from the wrecking ball in 1961. By 1973, when strong winds caused the ceiling to cave in, the Opera House was seen only as a third-run movie house and plans were made to tear the building down. With the help of many Lexingtonians, including William T. Young Sr., funds were raised and the Opera House Fund (a fund created in 1974 to assist the Lexington Corporation in the funding, design, construction, restoration, and upkeep of the Opera House) was formed.
So in May of 1976, the "new" and improved Opera House was reopened, and some of those first arts groups to take advantage of the renovated stage still use the facility today, including the Lexington Singers and the Lexington Children's Theatre. The Broadway LIVE series was also introduced in '76 and although there was speculation the series wouldn't last, is now celebrating its 30th year.
Now more than a dozen local arts groups take advantage of the Opera House's intimate setting, natural acoustics, and epic decorum, including The School for Creative and Performing Arts (SCAPA) and the Lexington Ballet Company.
Under the corporate umbrella of the Lexington Center, "the Opera House is the most utilized venue that we have in terms of day-in, day-out usage dates," said Opera House marketing manager Sheila Kenny. "We're in use an average of 180 days a year."
"Local arts groups have the opportunity to use the Opera House as a performance venue and to take advantage of the subsidy provided to them through the Opera House Fund," said Opera House program director Luanne Franklin. "Because these groups are non-profit, the Opera House Fund supports their performances. That's a little-known fact about the strength of the support offered by the fundÖand it's certainly important to many of these local community arts groups. Arts are tough. Ticket prices rarely cover the cost of production, so support is key for all performances at the Opera House, with our local arts groups as well as for Broadway LIVE."
"The Opera House has been tremendously important--we grew up over there," said Larry Snipes, producing director for the Lexington Children's Theatre. "It's had a lot of influence on the way theatre has evolved. It's a very professional venue to work withÖwhen I came in [in 1979], I thought it was wonderful; it was in good shape, and today it looks the same. It's been maintained very well, and we appreciate having it available to us."
The Children's Theatre has its own theatre now, completed in 1998, and only uses the Opera House stage once a year, normally around the holiday season. The bigger venue offers more seats and a little something different for the outfit's young audiences.
"The Opera House is more formal--we don't have that fancy stuff [at our theatre] so there are a lot of 'oohs' and 'ahhs' from the kids--but more than anything, the Opera House is bigger," said Snipes. "Our theatre has 300 seats compared to 900 (at the Opera House). We like it there because it's a different type of theatre for usÖit provides a different look."
With beautiful crown molding and lush carpeting, polished woodwork and intricate carvings, the natural beauty of this century-old building comes through as a work of art even before a performance takes place on its stage.
"It's always interesting when we have nationally touring productions," said Franklin, of the Broadway LIVE series. "They [the performers] walk into the Opera House and normally they all go 'Oh my gosh! This is beautiful!' and what they love even more than that is being so close to the audience-they can really build a rapportÖI've been to many huge theatres, New York, Louisville, Cincinnati, and it's just not the same as when you're in the Opera House. You feel like you're with them on the stage. It's really a very intimate theatre."
Many local groups, like the Lexington Ballet Company, Lexington Singers, and the University of Kentucky Opera Theatre, only use the Opera House stage a couple times a year, but the venue makes each performance stand out in the minds of those working the stage.
Cora Hughes, program coordinator for the University of Kentucky Opera Theatre and president of the Lexington Singers, agrees that it's the setting, as well as the versatility, she loves about the historic venue.
"I love the intimacy of the theatre and that we have the ability to do lots of things with lights and props, etc.," said Hughes, who has been performing with the Lexington Singers for 20 years. "The management is wonderful and the union people [stagehands] are so professional--all of that makes it easier to put on a show."
The Lexington Ballet Company uses the Opera House stage during its three productions each year, and has been utilizing the space since the renovations.
"We've been using it ever since it became available 30 years ago," said Luis Dominguez, artistic director for the Lexington Ballet Company. "Really, the Opera House is the best venue for something like ballet, because you use everything--it's more accessible. The Opera House is the place to go for full-scale productions."
"It's a great venue for anything," added Hughes. "The Singers have been using it for 15 years, if not more, and the Opera uses it twice a year. It's the perfect place to do an opera--we can have fly-ins and huge setsÖthere's nowhere else in town."
In the age of television and video games, it's up to those who appreciate the arts to pass them on to younger generations. "It's so important that we introduce our young people to theatre, that we get them there, that they understand the difference. It's a totally different experience to come to the theatre. The kids love it, they realize it's different, they realize this is a special place, a magical place."
"The magic is one of the things the performers always comment on about why they love theatre versus film," Kenny added. "The live performance is different. It's almost like it's an organic thing; it's different every night. Even though it's the same production, somehow it's different, every audience is differentÖThere's the sense that it's a once-in-a-lifetime experience."