Opera Renovation Ongoing
Building To Be Restored To Original Splendor Within A Year
Posted: February 21, 2013 at 5 a.m.
John Mack, building owner, checks out the flooring in the balcony of the former opera house in Rogers. There were no chairs in the balcony, visitors sat on the built-in risers.
Demolition of the interior of the former opera house in downtown is nearly done, the building owner said Monday.
At A Glance
Building History
Built in 1890 the lower floors were used for retail business with the opera house and office space upstairs.
• For many years, Rogers and other high schools staged senior plays in the building.
• Traveling shows played at the opera house around the turn of the century.
• Opera house attendance fell in the 1930 when talking movies became the rage.
• Part of the stage was torn out and a boxing ring installed in an effort to save the opera house, but failed and the opera house closed in the mid-1930s.
• The opera house has been unused since it closed.
Source: Staff Report
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Comments
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We need a venue for classic cinema in NWA. Im not saying any venue could or should be exclusively for classic cinema but i am saying that historical theatres throughout the country are using that space at least part of the time for classic cinema. It would be wonderful if this venue could serve to fill that void in NWA.
Posted by: UptheCreek
February 21, 2013 at 10:24 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
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