MELISSA FUCHS
Special to The Leader
The arts are alive and well in Fredonia both on and off campus. From the variety of arts majors to off-campus concerts at the bars downtown, it’s undeniable the role art plays in Fredonia.
One art-oriented point of interest in Fredonia, often not well known and rich with history, is right in Barker Commons. The Fredonia Opera House complements its historic aesthetic with a diverse selection of culturally rich art events.
Originally opened in 1891 as a Vaudeville and silent movie theatre, the Fredonia Opera House has undergone a resurrection. From the mid-1940s until closure in 1981, the Opera House, known as the Winter Garden Theatre, operated as a movie theatre.
After mismanagement and disrepair, the Fredonia Opera House was saved from a wrecking ball, thanks to the Fredonia Preservation Society. More than $1.2 million and countless volunteer hours helped finalize the nine-year restoration in time for the grand reopening in November 1994.
“One of the great things about the Opera House is that there is something for everyone,” said executive director Rick A. Davis.
The goal is, “to present a really eclectic mix of events that serve a broad range of interests,” Davis added.
What are some events that students, faculty and local community members can immerse themselves in? The Opera House presents several productions live by satellite including, “operas from the Metropolitan Opera in NYC; theatre productions from the National Theatre in London and ballets from the Bolshoi Ballet in Moscow,” said Davis.
On Friday Sept. 8 at 7:30 p.m., Fredonia State alum Chris Trapper is playing at the Opera House. Trapper and his band, Awake and Dreaming, were popular in the Fredonia community during the late 1980s.
Saturday Sept. 9 also brings a live-streamed performance of “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf,” from London’s National Theatre featuring Imelda Staunton (Dolores Umbridge in the “Harry Potter” films) and Conleth Hill (Lord Varys from “Game of Thrones”). The performance is slated for 1:00 p.m.
Fans of Pink Floyd can be treated to a viewing of Pink Floyd guitarist David Gilmour’s Live at Pompeii next Wednesday night. The concerts, recorded during two concerts in 2016, were notably the first rock performance at the historic Roman landmark.
Later this month on Sept. 20, Fredonian John Hertlein will give a free lecture, Walking The Way. Hertlein will share his experience walking 500 miles of Spain’s Camino de Santiago pilgrimage route.
As part of the Folk in Fredonia Music Series, guitarist Pat Donohue will visit the Opera House on Oct. 13. Donohue has played guitar on the weekly variety radio show, “A Prairie Home Companion.”
November sees the return of Imelda Staunton in the National Theatre Live’s production of “Follies” on Nov. 6. This production of the award-winning Stephen Sondheim classic also features Tracie Bennett and is directed by Dominic Cooke.
It’s worth noting that the Opera House also shows selected movies, as part of their Cinema Series.
Senior public relations major Jacob Santos reminisced about his experience seeing “Hidden Figures” and “La La Land” at the Opera House.
“Both times were a great experience being able to step inside the historic edifice in downtown Fredonia… They don’t make buildings like they used to,” he said.
The latest showing is the Christopher Nolan film “Dunkirk,” a cinematic retelling of the World War II evacuation of Dunkirk, France. The Opera House will have a viewing of the film on Sept. 9 at 7:30 p.m. and again on Sept. 12 at 7:30 p.m.
Tickets for events can be purchased online by visiting the Fredonia Opera House website, calling the box office at 716-679-1891 or by visiting the box office open Tuesday through Friday from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.