10TH ANNIVERSARY SEASON AT THE STONINGTON OPERA HOUSE
STONINGTON –Opera House Arts at the Stonington Opera House (OHA) is thrilled to release the calendar of events for its celebratory 10th summer season. The celebration will include a Shakespeare in Stonington production of "A Midsummer Night's Dream," directed by Julia Whitworth, July 2-12; the 9th Annual Deer Isle Jazz Festival; the development of a new "story at the quarry," following on the success of the site-specific, multidiscipline spectacle Quarryography in 2007; a new season of the popular "Live! for $5" family theater arts series on Wednesday nights; the return of stars from near and far for a 10th anniversary revue; a rare concert appearance by cabaret legend Mary Cleere Haran; and a related art exhibit at the Isalos Gallery on Stonington's Main Street.
Opera House Arts' gala re-opening of the 1912 Stonington Opera House, on the National Register of Historic Places, was held July 8, 2000. The Opera House had been closed and abandoned since 1992; and had fallen into significant disrepair by the time Opera House Arts was incorporated as a 501 C 3 nonprofit organization to restore and reopen it. The one night only re-opening gala featured Broadway and TV star Ron Raines; Lucine Amara, from the Metropolitan Opera; excerpts from a recently-premiered opera, "Patience and Sarah" -along with, during intermission, a double-rainbow over Stonington Harbor. With 10 years of restoration under its belt, Opera House Arts now operates the Stonington Opera House year-round, providing to its communities first-run movies, special live performances, and community events and dances throughout the year on Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. The attached summer calendar expands these offerings from May through August.
"The Opera House is living proof that yes, we can," said OHA's Executive Director, Linda Nelson, referring to the title of a 2003 OHA discussion series, as well as to President Obama's slogan from last year's presidential campaign. "Together, we've been able to restore this historic old building- and with it, to slowly build a more diversified economy for Stonington's Main Street, to complement its famous working waterfront."
OHA's 10th season strongly emphasizes the organization's unique mission: to use the performing arts to foster and promote excellence in all the ways we perform our lives: Incite Art, Create Community. OHA commissions new work from Maine artists and integrates internationally-renowned performers into the daily life of its community. Sample highlights of the 2009 season (full schedule attached) include:
• The premiere of a new, interdisciplinary installation and performance by Philadelphia artist Sebastienne Mundheim, "Sea of Birds," May 22-23, with a related workshop, "Telling Our Mother's Stories," and school residency (this production will conclude a New England tour of "Sea of Birds," initiated by Opera House Arts with funding from the New England Foundation for the Arts);
•Shakespeare in Stonington: A Midsummer Night's Dream, directed by Julia Whitworth. OHA's popular and acclaimed, original Actors' Equity productions return with this favorite of the Bard's comedies. Including community reads and post-show Talk Backs facilitated by acclaimed arts journalist Alicia Anstead. New this year, based on popular demand: a two-week run, July 2-12.
•The summer premiere of the completed version of OHA's newest film documentary, "Life by Lobster" by Iain Martin, July 16.
• A new "story at the quarry," in development: Q2-Habitat. Based on the success of 2006-07's site specific dance and puppet spectacle, participate in a short "sneak peak" of work-in-progress at the historic Settlement Granite Quarry with director and choreographer Alison Chase; puppet creator and animator Mia Kanazawa; the Atlantic Clarion Steel Band; and area community members. A unique collaboration between a local conservation group, Island Heritage Trust, and Opera House Arts. August 7-8.
• OHA's 10th Anniversary Celebration Revue! Join stars from near and far as they reprise some of your favorite Opera House performances, from the opening night gala to "The Ferry Musicals;" Shakespeare vignettes; our favorite Maine comedians; musical excerpts; and much more. August 14-15.
• Cabaret singing legend Mary Cleere Haran in concert August 22.
To purchase tickets online, or for further information and a full schedule of events, including ticket prices and OHA's "Island Students Free" policy, visit the Opera House online at www.operahousearts.org. Programs sell out and advance ticket purchases are strongly recommended. Advance tickets are not available for movies or the "Live for $5!" Wednesday night family series. The Opera House Box Office, at the corner of Main and School Streets at the base of the commercial fish pier in downtown Stonington, is open Tuesday-Friday from 1-5 p.m.; and Friday and Saturday from 1 p.m. until the time of scheduled shows.