The Thomaston Opera House was given an early Christmas present this year and will be opening its production of It's a Wonderful Life, as originally planned on November 28th at 8:00pm.  Earlier this month, a portion of the plaster ceiling in the historic Opera House fell in. Luckily, an organist was in the space and notified Opera House staff and no one was injured.  Unfortunately, this had forced the Opera House to cancel their Piano Series recital featuring Joseph Kalichstein and relocate rehearsals for the upcoming production of It's a Wonderful Life.

The Christmas gift comes from the David, Helen & Marian Woodward Fund of Watertown, CT who has agreed to fund the stabilization of the ceiling. Although this will not permanently fix the plaster it will make the Opera House open and safe to the public.  Work to stabilize the ceiling will begin on Wednesday, November 19th by Kronenberger & Sons Restoration, Inc. of Middletown, CT.  Kronenberger & Sons Restoration, Inc. was founded in 1946 and is a three-generation firm specializing in the restoration, preservation and adaptive re-use of period structures.

With this gift, the Thomaston Opera House will be able to open its production of It's a Wonderful Life, based on the beloved 1946 film by Frank Capra and continue is plans for the 2009 Season.  It's a Wonderful Life is under the direction of James M. Smith of Wolcott (Anything Goes) and will be presented on November 28, December 5, 6, 12 & 13, 2008 at 8:00pm and November 29, 30, December 7 & 14, 2008 at 2:00pm at the Thomaston Opera House, 158 Main Street, Thomaston, CT.  Tickets are $20.00 for adults and $17.00 for students/seniors.

For more information on the Thomaston Opera House production of It's a Wonderful Life and the upcoming 2009 Season, contact the Box Office at (860) 283-6250.

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IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE
November 28, December 5, 6, 12, 13, 2008 at 8:00p,
November 29*, 30, December 7 & 14, 2008 at 2:00pm
*Special Saturday Matinee

In our American culture, IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE has become almost as familiar as Dickens' A Christmas Carol.  This faithful adaptation has all your favorite characters:  George Bailey and Mary Hatch, Clarence, Uncle Billy, Violet and, of course, the Scrooge-like villain, Mr. Potter.  This dramatization not only celebrates the faith of the season, it also celebrates the American philosophy of life:  hard work, fair play and the love and support of one's family and community will be rewarded.

Directed by Jim Smith

Sponsored by PATTI'S PLACE & CABLEVISION • Media Sponsor FM 97.3 WZBG

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Thomaston Opera House Announces Regional Drama Club
For Middle & High School Students
LES MISERABLES (School Edition) to be First Production!

We have some very exciting news!  The Thomaston Opera House announces a Regional Drama Club for Middle & High School students and will present Les Miserables (School Edition) as its first production!  The Regional Drama Club is a free program to all students enrolled in a middle & high school program across Connecticut, Massachusetts & New York, age 18 and under.  The production will take place on the Main Stage of the Thomaston Opera House. This will provide hands on experience for students in a real theater setting both on stage and behind the scenes.

Les Miserables (School Edition) has been chosen as the Regional Drama Club production for many reasons. Because the piece is adapted from the book Les Miserables by Victor Hugo and the plot is based on the events of the French Revolution, it has both literary and historic interdisciplinary connections. The production is a well known musical that has played on Broadway for many years, attracting students to a recognizable show. a majority of the characters are school age, unusual for a musical, making the character development and underlying themes more accessible to students of the same age.


LES MISERABLES (School Edition)
Book by Alain Boublil · Lyrics by Alain Boublil &
Herbert Kretzmer  · Music by Claude-Michel Schonberg
   
May 14, 15 & 16, 2009 at 8:00pm

Broadway's legendary musical has been specially adapted to meet the needs of young performers. This author-approved edition has been abridged to a running time of just over two hours, while carefully maintaining the integrity of one the greatest musicals ever written.  Originally adapted from Victor Hugo's timeless novel, Les Miserables, School Edition introduces a new generation to the grand and inspirational story that has touched the hearts of millions.  For, within Les Miserables lies the universal truth "To love another person is to see the face of God" and this message is sure to have a lasting impact on the cast, crew, and audience alike.

Tickets: $12.00 Adults · $10.00 Seniors · $8.00 Students

The Thomaston Opera House has contracted Mr. Rick Doyle as Director, with TJ Thompson as Music Director and Sharon A. Wilcox as Choreographer.  Auditions will be held in January 2009 with rehearsals beginning shortly thereafter.  Please check our website in December for exact audition dates and details.  Rehearsals will consist of three rehearsals a week, two hours each.

Mr. Doyle is currently a teacher at the Taft School in Watertown, CT of Video Production; Theater Director. Previous to that position he directed over 35 shows at the Forman School in Litchfield, CT. Mr. Doyle is well known on the community theater circuit, having directed shows for over 30 years including at the Warner in Torrington, CT for 15 years. He recently joined the Opera House directing Beauty and the Beast in July of 2008. He is familiar with the chosen work, having directed Les Miserables once before at Taft School. Mr. Doyle graduated Southern Connecticut State University with a Bachelor's in Arts Education.

Please pass the word along to any students you may know - this is an exciting project and we are looking to get as many young people involved as possible!

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