But a major component is the creative economy, and I think a lot of the time it gets overlookedthe importance of arts drawing people to a community to both live and visit. The city has been very supportive, and as the years have gone on it has become apparent to everyone that a strategy for community development has several different aspects. Partially so people recognize its something that is happening in this particular area, but it also creates opportunities to apply for funding to do some more substantial development work and bring creative aspects of the community to the forefront.īill muses on how special Stoughton is to have the Opera House. As a member of the arts council, Bill worked to designate an Arts & Entertainment district in Stoughton. Though the Opera House is part of the Madison market, Stoughton is distinct. ? Amusingly, the Opera House doesnt perform much opera.Īnd thats okay with Bill. Every year, when I do booking, I start with Neil Young and back away from there. When it comes to booking really great acts, Bill says, Another part of the trick is getting people that are really good before they explode. outsold a lot of really legendary performers. These felines demonstrate fantastic feats of musical abilities, and they rock! Theyve been performing two shows a day for five years running, and every season they sell out. To find what works, he reviews past performances that did well and finds music that people enjoy to fill the 475 seatsshows that are inexpensive but sell well, like the amazing Acro-Cats featuring their own band, The Rock Cats.
#STOUGHTON OPERA HOUSE SEAT MAP SERIES#
The performance series goes from mid-September through early June, and Bills hope was at some point we would turn a corner, pushed harder and harder, and it turns out there is no cornerjust one long curve. Photograph provided by Tim Erickson Photographyīooking acts is a yearly challenge. Within this last year, however, Bill has been at the Opera House exclusively. The Opera House only had a few shows a year. When Bill became director of media services for Stoughton and the director of the Opera House in 2007, working both positions seemed manageable. You are not going to be the only one walking around with a cushion on Main Street. Though the seats can be a little hard on the posterior, Bill says, The professionals bring their own cushions. The magnificent original gas/electric chandelier, upgraded with modern wiring, lamps, and frosted tulip bowls, hangs alongside its two-thirds-sized replica above the balcony, and the original curtain onstage was restored, adding character and distinction to productions.1 Such features lead Bill Brehm, director of the Opera House, to describe the theatre as exhibiting the Doctor Who effect because the Opera House seems too big to fit inside the building from the outside.Īnother outstanding feature is the rich oak woodwork. Upon visiting, many understand why the Opera House is dubbed southern Wisconsins most charming theatre. , a light-hearted play with a cast of 11.1 The Stoughton Opera House, then known as the City Auditorium, started with the February 22, 1901, opening of It would make everyone happy, establish a community center, and provide profits to afford the building. Their plan: have a theatre in the upstairs of the Stoughton City Hall with city offices downstairs. (You didn't hear it from me.Over a century ago, the city council of Stoughton looked to make a statement to the importance of the city and have it stand out. If you do hear swearing, it'll be from the ghost. For instance, I never swear - but this evening, you will be able to rest assured that no one else will either. Also, since all ages can be admitted, this show will have a slightly different atmosphere (not haunted who said haunted? did I say haunted? nobody said haunted). Plus I can do things in a theater that I cannot do in a comedy club - you'll see. I love playing comedy clubs, but there is something magical about performing in a vintage theater - especially one as exquisite and as lovingly restored as this one. You can see why this venue is its pride & joy: Stoughton is a historic & non-haunted (I'm somewhat sure) town 14 miles (as the ghost flies) southeast of Madison. I humbly exhort you to witness my act in this historic & non-haunted (I'm fairly sure) opera house.