The Smyrna-Clayton Heritage Association has lined up a wide variety of concerts, shows, and children’s programs for its winter-spring 2010 schedule at the Smyrna Opera House.
Main events
Cotillion - The 6th Annual Smyrna Opera House Arts Cotillion, the association’s major fundraiser, is set for Saturday, Feb. 13, from 6 p.m. to midnight. This year’s theme is Mardi Gras and a king and queen will be crowned during the festivities. Enjoy live music by The Funsters, exciting silent and live auctions, and partake of delectable food and drink. All proceeds will benefit the Smyrna-Clayton Heritage Association.
HildaMan Chorale - To help celebrate Black History Month, the Smyrna Opera House will welcome the HildaMan Chorale on Saturday, Feb. 27, at 7:30 p.m. The Chorale is a volunteer vocal ensemble whose primary objective is to perform and preserve the traditional spirituals.
Dessert Theatre - The first weekend in March will feature The Phoenix Players’ Dessert Theatre production of “The Mousetrap,” one of the most popular plays of all time. Mingle with the cast and director after each performance while enjoying a delicious dessert donated by volunteers or local grocery stores. Performances will be March 5 and 6 at 7:30 p.m., and March 7 at 2:30 p.m.
Singing Competition - On Saturday, March 13 at 7:30 p.m., the Opera House will re-introduce its audiences to the hugely successful vocal talent competition, “Smyrna’s Got Voice.” Performances featuring local singers will also be held on Saturday, April 10, and the finale will be on Saturday, May 8, with WJBR’s Michael Waite serving as emcee.
Piano Concert - On Saturday, April 24 at 7:30 p.m., the Opera House will present classical pianist Oni Buchanan whose performance is titled “In the Moment: Women Composers of the 21st Century.”
Glee Club - The first ever Smyrna Opera House Glee Club Concert entitled “Don’t Stop Believin’” will be presented on Saturday, May 1 at 7:30 p.m. The Glee Club will be under the direction of Irv Rothenberg and feature of local high school students.
Brandywine Chorale - In mid-May, the Opera House will welcome back one of its most popular acts, The Brandywine Chorale. This performance will feature a medley of songs from the classic musical “Guys and Dolls” as well as a number of other well-known selections.
Dinner Theatre – A mystery dinner theatre with a sense of humor will be presented on Saturday, May 22 at 6 p.m. “Cashinbanca,” based on one of America’s most beloved film classics, “Casablanca,” will be performed by Foot Light Productions.
Drum & Trumpet Corps - Finally, this July, be on the lookout for the youth military-style Romford Drum & Trumpet Corps from the London Borough of Havering as they perform at the Opera House on Friday, July 2 at 7:30 p.m. This concert will feature a mixture of marches, film music, original compositions and popular music.
Especially for children
Magic Show - Events for children at the Opera House include “Magical Illusions of Kyle & Kelly” on Saturday, Jan. 23 at 1 p.m. This family matinée will consist of magic, music, illusion and fun, and will leave viewers delighted, amazed, and most of all, entertained.
“Happy Feet” - On Friday, Feb. 19 at 7 p.m., the Opera House will show “Happy Feet” on the big screen, which won the 2006 Academy Award for Best Animated Picture. This event is free but donations are encouraged.
Easter Event - Wrapping up the spring schedule of children’s activities is “Easter Egg-stravaganza” slated for Saturday, April 3 at 10 a.m. Children will make a terrarium, enjoy an Easter egg hunt in the historic Opera House theatre, and participate in “hands on” arts activities.
About the Smyrna Opera House
The Smyrna Opera House is located at 7 W. South Street, at the corner of Main Street.
Now in its sixth year, the Opera House serves the local community with cultural programming consisting of diverse music, theatre, visual arts classes, summer theatre camp, educational outreach, comedy events, and other artistic activities.
To purchase tickets or request more information, visit the website at www.smyrnaoperahouse.org, call (302) 653-4236, or stop by the box office on Tuesdays to Fridays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Programs are made possible, in part, by a grant from the Delaware Division of the Arts, a state agency dedicated to nurturing and supporting the arts in Delaware, in partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts, and by donations from a broad base of public agencies, corporations, and individual supporters.
Volunteers welcome
The Smyrna Opera House is always looking for new volunteers from the community to help with our wide-range of programs. The all-volunteer group called The Smyrna Opera House Guild holds meetings at the Opera House the first Wednesday of every month at 1 p.m. As a Guild member you have a special opportunity to attend a show for free if you helped with that particular event. As a non-profit organization the Smyrna Opera House depends on the help of its dedicated volunteers. Please call the Smyrna Opera House Box Office, 653-4236, if you are interested in joining The Guild.
Smyrna Opera House
2010 winter/spring schedule
Jan. 23 – Magical Illusions of Kyle & Kelly, 1 p.m.
Feb. 13 – Mardi Gras Arts Cotillion, 6 p.m.
Feb. 19 – Children’s movie, “Happy Feet,” 7 p.m.
Feb. 27 – HildaMan Chorale, 7:30 p.m.
March 5, 6, 7 – Dessert Theatre, “The Mousetrap,” March 5 and 6 at 7:30 p.m, and March 7 at 2:30 p.m.
March 13 – Smyrna’s Got Voice singing competition, first round, 7:30 p.m.
April 3 – Easter Egg-stravaganza for children, 10 a.m.
April 10 - Smyrna’s Got Voice singing competition, second round, 7:30 p.m.
April 24 – Oni Buchanan, classical pianist, 7:30 p.m.
May 1 – Smyrna Opera House Glee Club Concert, 7:30 p.m.
May 8 - Smyrna’s Got Voice singing competition, final round, 7:30 p.m.
Mid-May – Brandywiner Chorale, date and time to be announced
May 22 – Mystery Dinner Theatre, “Cashinbanca,” 6 p.m.
July 2 – Romford Drum & Trumpet Corps, 7:30 p.m.
