Sunday, April 28, 2024

On stage: The life and times of the Fulton Opera House History

fulton opera house

Today’s Lancaster Symphony, led by its new Music Director, Michael Butterman, is a highly accomplished professional ensemble of conservatory-trained musicians. The organization is led by representatives from the orchestra in collaboration with its professional staff. Board Chair Sara Male also serves as Acting Principal Cello, Executive Director Guy McIntosh is a member of the Trumpet section, and Vice-Chair Brent Edmondson is its Principal Bass.

Shrek The Musical

For smaller productions, the fourth level of the building features a 100-seat flexible studio theatre that also serves as a rehearsal hall. Special attention has been paid to preserving and enhancing the historical integrity of the architectural features. The wooden statue of Robert Fulton, that originally adorned the front of the building, is restored and displayed in the lobby. Yecker’s son Charles took over the Fulton in 1903 and commissioned local architect C.

We are a regional theatre creating exceptional

By bringing together the musicians of Lancaster in unique performances of ambitious repertoire, the LSO and Vyner forged a bond with the region that helped create the thriving arts scene we enjoy today. The history of the Fulton Opera House is truly a comeback story - glory days, followed by lean times, then a successful rebirth - and today it plays host to a wide range of top-notch theatrical and musical performances. From community meetings to vaudeville shows, national jazz bands to local theater, classical orchestras to blockbuster movies, locals and tourists alike have packed the hall to watch just about anything that might appear on a stage or screen - for more than 150 years. The Fulton Opera House, considered to be the nation’s oldest continuously operating theatre, is one of only eight theatres to be named a National Historic Landmark. Many of the “greats” of the American and International stage have performed on her boards. The list is extensive and includes most of the Barrymore family, Sarah Bernhardt, W. C. Fields, Alfred Lunt, Al Jolson, and Irene Dunne, Mark Twain, a young actress named Helen Brown (later known as Helen Hayes), Marcel Marceau and hundreds more.

24 Season

Gunzenhauser put a unique stamp on his tenure with the LSO, programming new, unheard works in Lancaster, emphasizing American composers and numerous original voices with his "Only In Lancaster" repertory. Upon Vyner's retirement in 1979, Stephen Gunzenhauser became the Second Music Director of the Symphony. Vyner's 32-year tenure set a precedent of long relationships between the LSO and its chief conductors, with Maestro Gunzenhauser leading the ensemble for 40 seasons! Gunzenhauser, who also served as the Music Director of the Delaware Symphony, set about raising the level of performance of the Lancaster Symphony and expanding its repertory. In later years, live entertainment became unsustainable at the Fulton, and it operated as a movie house through the middle of the 20th century.

fulton opera house

The Oldest Continuously Operating Theatre in America

We believe that Christopher Hager would be proud to see how his dream survived and prospered. The Fulton Opera House is one of only eight theatres in the United States recognized as a National Historic Landmark. Located on the first block of North Prince Street in downtown Lancaster, Pennsylvania, it combines the elegance of Victorian architecture with the amenities and technical resources of a modern theatre. A $9.5 million renovation and expansion project initiated by the Fulton Opera House Board of Trustees was completed in 1995. In addition to restoring the splendor of the interior, new facilities were added for the comfort and convenience of the audience, to expand office space, and to make state-of-the-art improvements to the theatre itself. The construction of an annex adjacent to the original building allowed for the addition of a new two-story atrium lobby, new office space on the third floor, and an elevator serving all levels.

Operas & Tickets

Alison’s creative imagination becomes real as she recalls how her families’ dysfunctional dynamic upbringing shaped who she has become. Maple Avenue has never looked so familiar and yet unrecognizable as we flip through the sketchbooks of her life’s most pivotal moments; preadolescents, college years, and where she finds herself today. This achingly beautiful portrait of family examines our relationships within, and how family holds the keys to our successes, and ultimately they hold the keys to our hearts. Over the years, the Fulton Opera House entertained audiences with many of the great performers of American stage, including the Barrymore family, Sarah Bernhardt, W. C. Fields, Al Jolson, Mark Twain,  Helen Hayes, Marcel Marceau, and many more.

Did you know Lancaster's Fulton Theatre was once the site of a jail? - WGAL Susquehanna Valley Pa.

Did you know Lancaster's Fulton Theatre was once the site of a jail?.

Posted: Wed, 19 Aug 2015 07:00:00 GMT [source]

While Paul is convalescing, Annie reads his latest book and becomes enraged when she discovers the author has killed off her favorite character, Misery Chastain. Annie forces Paul to write a new Misery novel, and he quickly realizes Annie has no intention of letting him go anywhere. The irate Annie has Paul writing as if his life depends on it, and it does. An old testament story told entirely through song, Joseph… follows the story of Jacob’s favorite son... In December 1930 Basil Rathbone appeared as Christian St. Obin in A Kiss of Importance.

fulton opera house

Get Your Tickets

More than 150 years later, we continue to celebrate all that this “Grand Old Lady” has become. From a meeting hall, to the “Queen of the Roadhouses” through Vaudeville, the movies, near destruction, salvation and on to the cutting edge of contemporary theatre, the history of this majestic place literally chronicles the evolution of the American Stage. In this fun twist on the classic, Snow White encounters a narcissistic queen, a tap-dancing mirror, and a not-so-charming Prince Charming as she searches for true happiness and makes strong confident decisions for herself. The Tony Award®-winning darling of 2015, taking home the coveted “Best Musical,” “Best Book,” and “Best Score” Triple Crown, and was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize for drama, Fun Home is based on the real life story of cartoonist Alison Bechdel.

Steeped in tragic history, Lancaster theater has played many roles - WHYY

Steeped in tragic history, Lancaster theater has played many roles.

Posted: Wed, 23 Jul 2014 07:00:00 GMT [source]

After changing hands several times through the second half of the 1800s, the theater underwent a major renovation after the Civil War. Edwin Forrest Durang remodeled the interior into a full-fledged performance venue for an 1873 re-opening, at which point Fulton Hall was renamed Fulton Opera House. When the seven little dwarfs grow up to be seven historical figures, Snow White takes a very different journey. In this fun twist on the classic, Snow White encounters a narcissistic queen, a tap-dancing mirror and a not so charming Prince Charming as she searches for true happiness and make strong confident decisions for herself.

Peter Weir's film, "Witness," starring Harrison Ford and Kelly McGillis, much of which represents the lifestyle of the Amish, premiered here in February, 1985. A founding member of the League of Historic American Theatres (LHAT), the Fulton is operated by the Fulton Theatre Company, a non-profit organization. Is one of only three theatres recognized as National Historic Landmarks (the others are the Walnut Street Theatre in Philadelphia and the Goldenrod Showboat in St. Louis, Missouri).

Thousands more are served through the programs of the Lancaster Symphony Orchestra and Opera Lancaster, who call the Fulton their home. In 1995, in a further commitment to the work on the stage, the Fulton completed an extensive $9.5 million renovation of the historic building. From its inception, the Lancaster Symphony had a grand vision of its role and relevance in the community. The founding Board Chair, Kenneth Bates, Senior Vice President of Armstrong Cork, conceived of an annual Composer's Award that would bring the audiences of Lancaster face to face with the greatest works of modern music and living composers. Kenneth's wife, Maude Bates, helped found the Women's Symphony Association, which continues to support young musicians in Lancaster through concerto competitions, scholarships, and other educational activities.

In addition to its yearly Masterworks subscription series, the Lancaster Symphony continus to bolster its outreach into the community. The LSO formed Sound Discovery in 2005, which has grown to a nationally recognized suite of 8 education & outreach initiatives that serve nearly 10,000 Lancastrians of all ages each season. Sound Discovery's comprehensive and inclusive approach to enriching and enhancing the local community continues to expand each year. The last two seasons alone have seen the launch of four new initiatives, including the LSO Neighborhood Series, StandPartners, Instrument Test Drive, and a collaboration with Carnegie Hall to bring Link Up to Lancaster. Since its postwar beginnings in 1947, the Lancaster Symphony has sought to provide the vibrant arts community in Lancaster with outstanding performances, unique repertoire, and educational services rooted in a belief that music is fundamental to human industry and well-being.

For example seat 1 in section "5" would be on the aisle next to section "4" and the highest seat number in section "5" would be on the aisle next to section "6". For theaters and amphitheaters (i.e. venues that don't have sections around the entire stage) seat numbers follow a different logic. Instead the lower numbered seats are typically closer to the center of the stage while higher seat numbers are further from the center of the stage.

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