Newburg Missouri, Regional Opera Company Theater History
Is a Mid Missouri Community Theater
Our theater has had different names but it is now the
Lyric Live Theater
Operated by: Regional Opera Theater,
117 First Street, (formerly Front Street)
Newburg Missouri
The building built 1919; has undergone several changes over the years as
well as owners. Originally opened as The Community Theater, later named
The Lyrics Theater, and has seen other names along the way. This theater
building was first used to show silent movies and community events,
along with special performances. It has been used for one wedding. The
doors closed before 1957 as a movie theater. In 1957 it was sold to
several Newburg Business men and was used as storage for a lumber
company when owned by Newburg Business men.
J. D. Turley purchased the building in Sept 1983 and within four months
had it open again as a theater. Since that time it has been a place of
entertainment with live performers on stage. The Regional Opera Company
(ROC) members purchased the building from J.D. Turley and have continued
to entertain under the direction of Frank Bridges since 1997.
The members volunteer their time and energy to perform on stage and work
at other task needed to keep the theater operating. Since 1983, the
doors have been open each summer for dramas and variety shows along with
special events. From 1983 to present the building has been upgraded with
several improvements.
The building is maintained from donations asked for
at the door. Which are currently $6.00 for adults and $3.00 for under 12.
The Regional Opera Theater, is mentioned in the Newburg City
Bicentennial book; "Hello from Newburg," as the Old Lyric Theater
Building.
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Name : 'Newburg Opera Company,' changed to 'The Regional Opera Company .'
The theater was once again to be used as a theater with the first
presentation in 1983.
The name was changed to; 'Regional Opera Company,' due to the volunteers
not only came from Newburg, but other surrounding communities in the
region.
The theater was reopened in 1983 under the direction of Jay Turley,
managing director of the company. A restoration committee was appointed
to work on giving the Newburg Opera Company a cosmetic face lift.
Volunteers were ask for and they came forward and did the work needed to
open the building for it's first live stage presentation in many years
"A Christmas Story 1930," in 1983.
Meetings were held at the Houston House and the Newburg School. Those
with talents in music and acting were invited to try out.
The Regional Opera Company, has held auditions each year since 1983 for
local talent to perform on stage at the theater. The Theater currently
(2004) under Frank Bridges as managing director, continues to invite
local talent to audition for acting, music, dancing, story telling, and
comedy for the drama and variety presentations. Recent years there has
been one special performance by; Bob Milne a rag time piano player and
story teller. The special performance has filled every seat and
reservations have been necessary.
The Regional Opera Company Theater, continues to serve the community by
giving children, and young people a chance to learn. By giving them a
chance to get the feel of being on stage; as well as senior citizens and
adults in the area a chance to show off their talents.
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1983 PUBLIC NOTICE
Everyone in the Newburg, Rolla and surrounding towns is invited to
attend a meeting at Newburg High School cafeteria, Monday, October 24 at
7:30 P.M. Purpose of the meeting is to discuss plans for the founding of
a community theatre in the old Newburg theatre on first street. The
building has been purchased by the Houston House Restaurant and will be
made available for performances of the community theatre group.
All participation will be strictly volunteer, and all net proceeds from
productions will be used for Newburg community projects. "Actors,"
soloists, chorus singers, instrumentalists, dancers, electricians for
lighting, carpenters, painters, public relations people are needed to
make the project successful. A very special invitation is extended to
senior citizens who may have ample time to help with the project and
it's promotion. Please don't forget to come to the meeting. Your
suggestions and ideas will be greatly appreciated.
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A NOTE found in the archived books at the theater:
On the 12, of November the old Opera house was cleaned and is getting off
to a good start from what Mr. Turley said and I think so to. I went up
and helped to work pretty hard. We worked from 10 to around 1;30 and
made 4 or 5 trips in trucks. We had a real good time Lynda Hoffman went
and got coffee for everyone. Besides working we had visitors who talked
and watched us shovel up plaster and dirt from the floor. Everyone
worked hard and enjoyed himself but everyone left tired.
Singed Danny Biggs.
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12/02/1983 Opera Company's Rehearshals Under Way - newspaper unknown
NEWBURG - Rehearsals for the newly formed Regional Opera Company's first
production. "A Christmas Story 1930," are under way and "going just
beautifully," according to director of Jay Turley.
The performance is scheduled for 8:00 p.m. Dec. 16 and 17 at the Newburg
Opera House. The program consist of the two-act play, written by
Turley, and a 30 minute musical segment of traditional Christmas music
by the Newburg Opera House Choir.
The cast for the play itself is Jan Neeley, of Newburg. as Angela
Delaney, a retired opera singer; Doug McLees, of Newburg, as Mr.
Sherman, a retired architect; William Strawhun, of Rolla s Mr. Donivan;
Danny Biggs, of Newburg, as Jamie James; Catherine Riordan, of Rolla, as
Mrs James; Noah Sankovich, of Doolittle, as Noah James, and Mary Alice
Beemer, of Newburg, as Alice Kelly.
Luce Myers, of Newburg, is musical director for the production.
Admission price is $2.50 for children under 12 and $4.00 for adults.
Tickets for the performance are available in Newburg at the Houston
House and Carne's Reality, and in Rolla at the Reader's Alley.
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TO HOLD AUDITIONS (1983) newspaper unknown
NEWBURG - The Regional Opera Company invites all interested people to
try out for the group's two spring presentations at a meeting at 7:30
Tuesday at the Newburg High School Room 13.
Two shows will be presented tentatively around Easter, according to Jay
Turley, with each show running for two concessive weekends. Reading
parts in the musical "Showboat' A Coming'" and the drama, "A Signal for
Miss Elizabeth," will take place at the meeting. "Theres's a lot of
parts for a lot of people." Turley said. The more than 50 cast members
needed for the shows range from dramatic to comedy roles and soloists to
chorus members. Technical people and those wishing to play accompaniment
also are invited to the meeting.
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More on the year of 1983 will be found in the photo section of this web
site, as time permits me to place the photos of the earlier plays on
line.
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(1985 book)
Dear Editor
I believe we should explain to the members and friends of the Regional
Opera Company who did not attend the recent call meeting around Jay
Turley's gift to the company. Had the members not given him a vote to
accept his offer fro them to purchase the opera house for $1,000. he
would have sold it the next day for $15,000.
This is the largest monetary gift I can recall ever having been given by
a living Phelps Countian for cultural purposes. And to think the donor
has lived in the county less than two years. Others might like to join
him in enjoying such gifts while they are living.
He did attach the terms that the building cannot be mortgaged and that
he be made director-manager for life or until he should resign. He
learned a valuable lesson while at .....................
Having this generous man in our midst has certainly placed Newburg back
on the map as well as Phelps County. Almost daily we get favorable
comments from strangers; as well as others. We are going to be known as
a cultural center!
Helen Berg, Publicity Director. Regional Opera Company, Newburg
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According to the Bicentennial book, during the depression years the
building was purchased by Miss Helen Houston and several Newburg
Businessmen who operated a movie theater in the building. This group
gave the building to the City of Newburg, who later sold it. Over the
years the building has seen many owners.
For the Past 20+ years the building has again been used for, "Live Stage
Performances." Currently under management by: Frank Bridges, who is also
the director. All the work by Frank and the cast is on a volunteer
basis; with the exception of the special performances.
Actors, musicians, storytellers, comedians, and other stage
talents as always are needed.
CONTACT - Frank Bridges (573) 341-9071 e-mail
frankbridges@frankbridges.com or nroc@rollanet.org
The theater currently features two performances each summer along with
one variety show and a special performance by; Bob Milne, nationally
known for his rag time piano playing, and story telling.
Funds from the door admission are used to upgrade the building. Under
the direction of Frank Bridges, the following improvements have been
made:
Tuck Pointing front of the theater building,
A/C and electrical furnaces
Metal Roof
Ceiling in Main Auditorium
Public Rest Rooms
Dressing Rooms and Stage Rooms
Bath in Dressing Rooms
Remodeled Entry/Rear Storage Area
Remodeled State/Stage Alcoves
Constructed various shelving and rack units
Columns and Curtains for the Stage
Folding chairs for Auditorium
Electrical Wiring
Furniture and Clothes
Plastered and Painted Walls in Auditorium
*OFFICIAL LOGO and COMEDY/TRAGEDY PAINTINGS * (Newburg High School Art Class)
and
other hidden cost.
Compiled By: Mary Hudson mahud@fidnet.co