In the meantime– today we released the names of the shows in our 2010-11 Season. The Grand is on track to reopen in September, and the new season was very much influenced by the feedback of the 18,000 hits we received in last January’s Top 100 Survey. The text of the news release is below, and updates to follow. Thanks for your patience, I’ll work harder to integrate myself into the world of blogging!

HISTORIC GRAND OPERA HOUSE ANNOUNCES 2010-11 SEASON

Wisconsin’s oldest operating theatre building to reopen after 1½ years of repair work

OSHKOSH, WI—The historic Grand Opera House, a fixture in Downtown Oshkosh since 1883, will re-open in September 2011. The Grand was closed in February 2009 after structural defects were discovered in its roof trusses and ceiling. After a $2 million repair and renovation project that includes the addition of a privately-funded Grand Lounge, the city-owned theatre will re-open with a private, command performance by actor-singer-songwriter and Tony Award nominee Jeff Daniels. He will re-dedicate the Grand Opera House stage on September 16, and open the performance series to the general public the following evening.

The eleven-show season closes in May 2011 with a similar dose of “star appeal” as one of the most recognized faces on television, Jerry Stiller (“Seinfeld,” “The King of Queens,” Stiller and Meara) closes the season on May 21.

In announcing the performance series, Joseph Ferlo, Executive Director of the Oshkosh Opera House Foundation which manages and programs The Grand, pointed out the outstanding community support that helped shape the re-opening season. “The community has played a tremendous part in this second restoration of The Grand,” said Ferlo, “whether it be through their outstanding community support in last summer’s ‘Stand With The Grand’ movement, through their participation in helping me choose the season through the ‘Top 100’ survey, and especially through their moral support, financial support and community spirit.”

Tickets will go on sale to members of The Grand on July 16, at the theatre’s annual Grand Scoop celebration in Opera House Square. Tickets will be available to the general public beginning in late July. There are discounts for season subscribers as well as seniors and students.

In addition to the performance series, The Grand will also host its popular Student Discovery Series, Screen Scene Film Series, and select Gallery Walk at The Grand presentations. In October there will be a new month-long series of theme-based performances, movies, and guided tours celebrating the theatre’s “spiritual” history as THE GRAND GOES GOTHIC.

Information on becoming a member is available through the Grand Opera House administrative office at (920) 424-2355. A limited number of seats are available to Mr. Daniels’ command performance which includes a unique meet-and-greet opportunity with Mr. Daniels and officially re-opens The Grand on September 16. For information about the command performance, contact Jeff Potts at The Grand’s Administrative Office.

The 2010-11 Grand Opera House Season

Friday, September 17, 2010

“An Evening with Jeff Daniels”                                             $18/24/26/32/38

Tuesday, October 19, 2010

“Borders of the Mind” starring Joshua Kane                         $15/18/20/24/28

Saturday, November 20, 2010

Tonic Sol-fa                                                                            $15/18/20/24/28

Friday, January 14, 2011

Kathleen Madigan                                                                  $15/18/20/24/28

Friday, February 25, 2011

The Tartan Terrors                                                                   $15/18/20/24/28

Sunday, March 6, 2011

“An Afternoon with Groucho” starring Frank Ferrante             $15/18/20/24/28

Thursday, March 24, 2011

California Guitar Trio                                                             $15/18/20/24/28

Saturday, April 9, 2011

The Second City: “Fair and Unbalanced”                              $15/18/20/24/28

Saturday, May 7, 2011

Missoula Children’s Theatre: “Pinocchio”                              $10/13 – $6 (all seats) for children age 12 and younger

Thursday, May 19, 2011

Monroe Crossing                                                                     $15/18/20/24/28

Saturday, May 21, 2011

“An Evening with Jerry Stiller”                                              $25/32/38/50/65

INTRODUCING THE ARTISTS

THE 2010-11 PERFORMANCE SEASON AT THE GRAND OPERA HOUSE

AN EVENING WITH JEFF DANIELS

Friday, September 17, 2010

“I’ve been writing songs for over thirty years. I don’t write hits. I don’t send out demos to famous singers. I just write songs. They’re my diaries. I had everything I’ve ever written in this big, black notebook. Some of them were typed, some were in long hand, but all of them had a time and a place that marked some moment in my life. If you really wanted to get to know me, you’d find me in there.” – Jeff Daniels

Jeff Daniels is an actor, musician and playwright. He founded a non-profit theatre company, the Purple Rose Theatre Company, in his home state of Michigan. He has performed in a number of stage productions, both on and off Broadway, and has been nominated for the Tony Award as Best Actor for the Broadway play God of Carnage (2009). He has had a thriving film career, from his debut in 1981 in Ragtime, through State of Play in 2009—and including Terms of Endearment, The Purple Rose of Cairo, Dumb and Dumber, and The Squid and the Whale.

www.jeffdaniels.com

BORDERS OF THE MIND starring Joshua Kane

Tuesday, October 19, 2010

Mentalist and Psychic Entertainer Joshua  Kane performs Borders of the Mind – The Psychic Show for the Whole Family.

Can he read your mind?  With warmth and charm, Joshua Kane leads audiences through a dazzling demonstration of the powers of the mind. Discover your inner superhero, as mentalist Joshua Kane identifies audience members with special abilities who will successfully project their own thoughts and tap the powers of their intuition. An amazing, interactive performance where the entire audience experiences simultaneous telepathy and witnesses dazzling feats of lie detection and what must be psychic phenomena.   Is it mastery of reading body language that allows Kane to distinguish liars from truth-tellers? Or perhaps it’s the same craft for which witches were burnt at the stake.  Audience members of all ages leap at the opportunity to participate in the Strange Happenings that take place at the Borders of the Mind..  Are you ready to cross the Borders of the Mind?

www.joshuakane.com

TONIC SOL-FA

Saturday, November 20, 2010 (matinee and evening performances)

Although they are simply four voices and a tambourine, Tonic Sol-fa has spent the past decade on the road carving their niche as one of the nation’s top vocal groups.  In that time, this quartet has been named one of the top five “must see” groups in America, has been awarded numerous original song and album awards in pop, gospel and holiday genres, appeared on NBC’s Today Show and in the pages of Newsweek magazine.  Outings with Jay Leno, Shawn Colvin, Lonestar and Garrison Keillor have propelled album sales to more than 1,000,000 copies (mostly sold from the back of their trailer!) and have earned the group thousands of intensely loyal fans. The New York Times describes Tonic Sol-fa’s sound as “A vocal kaleidoscope…unique to the human voice.”   Improvisational and passionate music combined with cutting-edge stage presence is the benchmark by which critics and fans agree: nobody does it like Tonic Sol-fa.

www.tonicsolfa.com

KATHLEEN MADIGAN

Friday, January 14, 2011 (early and late evening shows)

After returning from a USO Tour of Iraq and Afghanistan, comedian Kathleen Madigan learned she’s entirely too short to be involved in combat and that being in the military is nothing like the commercials on television. She made the monumental trip and performed for the troops with Kid Rock, Lewis Black and Kellie Pickler.

In addition to performing in theaters, festivals and on talk shows, Madigan, dubbed by Jay Leno as “one of the funniest female comics,” has been tapped for her comedic point of view by Dr. Phil as a special correspondent for The Dr. Phil Show with reports on various topics. She also appeared as one of Cheri Oteri’s clients in the AMC interstitial program Life Coach. She also recently completed writing, producing and performing on Lewis Black’s The Root of All Evil, for Comedy Central. Madigan also appeared on the History Channel special Surviving the Holidays where she also served as a producer for the project. The American Comedy Award winner for “Best Female Comedian” appeared on shows for VH1 and TV Guide Network as well as The Joy Behar Show and the new Wanda Sykes Show. In addition to the three CD’s and DVD’s currently available, Madigan will be recording another CD and DVD.

In 2004, Madigan was the only comedian ever to go unchallenged on NBC’S Last Comic Standing and in 2007 was a talent scout during the show’s fifth season. Other television appearances include stints on E!, CNN, The Tonight Show (10 appearances), Letterman (5 appearances), The Conan O’Brien Show, HBO (2 of her own specials), Comedy Central (An hour and half hour special), and ESPN. Madigan also somehow defeated the ever-popular Larry the Cable guy and other notable funny comics to win the 2007 Sirius Radio Comedy Cup.

www.kathleenmadigan.com

THE TARTAN TERRORS

Friday, February 25, 2011

Taking the Celtic scene by storm, the Tartan Terrors, North America’s premiere Celtic Event, features the best in music, comedy and dance. Bolstered by the blistering piping of a Two Time World Champion Bagpiper, the driving tones of drums from around the world, and a guitar played unlike any you’ve ever heard, standing room only audiences understand why Dig This Magazine declares “(The Terrors) one act to keep an eye on!”

Combine this musical prowess with championship caliber Highland Dancers and internationally recognized comedic performers and this Celtic Group goes beyond the ordinary. Members of the Tartan Terrors have performed on four different continents, in some of the most prestigious Festivals, Highland Games and Theatres of North America. Join the phenomenon of the Tartan Terrors and see why Celtic Beat Magazine hails them as “the heirs apparent to the [Celtic] mayhem.”

www.tartanterrors.com

AN AFTERNOON WITH GROUCHO starring Frank Ferrante

Sunday, March 6, 2011

Frank Ferrante is an actor, director, and producer described by The New York Times as “the greatest living interpreter of Groucho Marx’s material.”  Animal Crackers and A Night at the Opera co-author Morrie Ryskind called him “the only actor aside from Groucho who delivered my lines as they were intended.”  Discovered by Groucho’s son Arthur when Frank was a drama student at the University of Southern California, Frank originated the off-Broadway title role in Groucho: A Life in Revue (written by Arthur) portraying the comedian from age 15 to 85.  For this role, Frank won 1987’s New York’s Theatre World Award and was nominated for an Outer Critics Circle Award.  He reprised the role in London’s West End and was nominated for the Laurence Olivier Award for ‘Comedy Performance of the Year.’ Frank played the Groucho role in the off-Broadway revival of The Cocoanuts and has played Captain Spalding in the several productions of Animal Crackers winning a Connecticut Critics Circle Award for his portrayal at Goodspeed Opera House and a Helen Hayes nomination in Washington D.C. at Arena Stage.  In Boston in 1988, he played the Huntington Theatre in the record-breaking run of Animal Crackers that landed Frank on the cover of American Theatre magazine.  In 2001, Frank starred in, directed and produced the national PBS television program Groucho: A Life in Revue.

Frank Ferrante recreates his PBS, New York and London acclaimed portrayal of legendary comedian Groucho Marx in this fast paced 90 minutes of hilarity. The family-friendly two-act comedy consists of the best Groucho one-liners, anecdotes and songs including “Hooray for Captain Spalding,” and “Lydia, the Tattooed Lady.” The audience literally becomes part of the show as Ferrante ad-libs his way throughout the performance in grand Groucho style. Accompanied by his onstage pianist, Jim Furmston, Ferrante portrays the young Groucho of stage and film and reacquaints us with the likes of brothers Harpo, Chico, Zeppo and Gummo, Charlie Chaplin, W.C. Fields, Greta Garbo, Marx foil, Margaret Dumont and MGM’s Louis B. Mayer. A show perfect for all ages!

www.grouchoworld.com

CALIFORNIA GUITAR TRIO

Thursday, March 24, 2011

With a whirlwind of instrumental styles fusing classical, rock, blues, jazz, world music, progressive, as well as the quintessential California musical genre surf music, the California Guitar Trio’s stunning virtuosity and sly sense of humor have earned them an enthusiastic following and wide notoriety, with significant crossover in the progressive, acoustic and classical music scenes.

Notably, CGT music was featured on the television coverage of the 1998, 2000, 2002 and 2004 Olympics, and also on CBS, NBC, CNN, and ESPN TV programs. The CGT performed on the 2003 Grammy Awards nominated track Apollo on Tony Levin’s CD Pieces of the Sun; and CGT music was sent into outer space as wake up music for the crew aboard NASA’s Space Shuttle Endeavor.

Over the past 14 years of nearly incessant touring, the California Guitar Trio has shared the stage with superb musicians and performers such as: King Crimson, Jon Anderson, Rick Wakeman, John McLaughlin, John Scofield, Tito Puente, Taj Mahal, Peter Rowan and Tony Rice, Dark Star Orchestra, Leftover Salmon, Sleepytime Gorilla Museum, Steve Lukather, Simon Phillips, David Sylvian, Adrian Legg, Kaki King, Monte Montgomery, Jake Shimabukuro and many more.

Paul Richards of Salt Lake City, Utah, Bert Lams of Brussels, Belgium, and Hideyo Moriya of Tokyo first met in England at one of Robert Fripp’s Guitar Craft Courses in 1987. After completing several of these intensive courses, the three toured worldwide with Fripp’s League of Crafty Guitarists. Wanting to continue working together after the League had run its course, Bert, Paul and Hideyo convened in Los Angeles and founded The California Guitar Trio in 1991, honing their intricate original compositions, surf covers, and classical re-workings.

www.cgtrio.com

THE SECOND CITY- FAIR AND UNBALANCED

Saturday, April 9, 2011

The Second City is the leading brand in improv-based sketch comedy. With theatres in Chicago and Toronto, Training Centers in those cites as well as Hollywood, 11 full time touring ensembles, thriving corporate communications and theatricals divisions as well as television and film operations, The Second City has been called “A Comedy Empire” by the New York Times.

Can’t make it to The Second City? THE SECOND CITY will come to Oshkosh! For over fifty years, THE SECOND CITY has taken its act on the road, performing at colleges, performing arts centers, clubs, theatres, fundraisers, festivals, conventions and more.

Performing social and political satire in 2 45-minute acts of scripted scenes, music, and improvisation, THE SECOND CITY TOURING COMPANY is always original, daring, and hilarious. Their alumni list is a veritable “Who’s Who” of comedy including Peter Boyle, Bill Murray, John & Jim Belushi, Mike Myers, Steve Carell, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, George Wendt, Ryan Stiles, Tina Fey, Rachel Dratch, Horatio Sanz, Tim Meadows, Joan Rivers, John Candy, Bonnie Hunt, Stephen Colbert, Chris Farley, Harold Ramis, Rick Moranis, Jack McBrayer, Jason Sudeikis and so many more.

www.secondcity.com

PINOCCHIO- Missoula Children’s Theatre

Saturday, May 7, 2011

The charming tale of “Pinocchio,” the wooden puppet who longed to become a real, live boy, comes to life when the Missoula Children’s Theatre and more than 50 local students perform an original musical adaptation of this classic tale.

From the Missoula Children’s Theatre International Tour project to local activities for kids and adults in Missoula, MCT programs are all designed to develop the personal and professional skills and goals of the participants. The excellence of their productions along with their unique and acclaimed teaching methods result in the successful fulfillment of the MCT mission: The development of life skills in children through participation in the performing arts.

From Broadway musicals and poignant comedies in their beautiful home theatre, to original children’s productions on gym floors and auditoriums around the world, MCT performances have delighted and amazed audiences for nearly four decades. But MCT is really in the business of using an entertainment format to foster enrichment and education in children—of all ages.

www.mctinc.org

MONROE CROSSING

Thursday, May 19 2011Monroe Crossing was formed in September of 2000, but their history goes back much further. Monroe Crossing actually grew out of three different bands; The Pretty Good Bluegrass Band featuring Art and Mark, Big Skyota featuring Art and Matt and the Deadly Nightshade Family Singers which was home to Lisa and Mark. Each of those bands formed between 1995 and 1997 and performed into 2000. Also during 1995, a young banjo phenom named Benji Flaming recorded his first solo work at Mark’s studio.

Between 1996 and the fall of 2000, these five folks had occasion to work together as subs for each other’s bands but it was in August of 1999 that they had the good fortune of working together on the same show and found the combination to work well. Monroe Crossing was formed in September of 2000 with Brian Fesler on the banjo but by January 2001, Benji was on board.

Since then, Art, Lisa, Matt and Mark have constant members of Monroe Crossing. There have been six banjo players over the years. Brian Fesler was with the band from September through December of 2000. Benji joined in December of 2000 and stayed until October of 2001. Graham Sones was next on the five and played until October of 2004 when Jeff Whitson moved up from Arkansas to take his place. Jeff picked with Monroe Crossing until May of 2006. Jason Ericsson of Pennsylvania filled Jeff shoes and stayed until December of 2006. Jason’s departure cleared the way for the return of Benji.

Beginning in October 2004, Monroe Crossing has been playing full-time, a feat few musicians in any genre can claim. With Benji back in the fold, the five original members of Monroe Crossing look forward to entertaining audiences of all sizes from coast to coast and from Canada to the Caribbean. It’s hard to believe that these five individuals just celebrated their tenth anniversary with a year long tour beginning September of 2009.

www.monroecrossing.com

AN EVENING WITH JERRY STILLER

Saturday, May 21, 2011

One of the most recognized names, faces and characters in the entertainment industry is Emmy Award winning comedian and actor, Jerry Stiller. He is most recognized today as Frank Costanza on SEINFELD and “Arthur” on KING OF QUEENS.

He is legendary in the comedy world where it all began as a member of THE COMPASS PLAYERS ( which later became ‘Second City’) and as half of the comedy team STILLER and MEARA (with his wife Anne). As a legitimate actor, Jerry is a beloved star of Broadway and on the big screen he starred in such classics as AIRPORT ’75 and recent films including ON THE LINE, SERVICING SARA and ZOOLANDER, directed by his son Ben Stiller.

Adults of all ages know Jerry Stiller and will love the laughter through, “An Evening with Jerry Stiller,” on May 21, 2011 at the Grand Opera House in Downtown Oshkosh.

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0005467/

http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/album.php?aid=148923&id=14194284398&ref=mf

and

http://www.thenorthwestern.com/apps/pbcs.dll/gallery?Avis=U0&Dato=20100302&Kategori=OSH01&Lopenr=3020819&Ref=PH

I know- the ticket prices are not cheap. But what a great way to have fun and support a good cause. The members of Mid Morning Kiwanis, with the help of the Oshkosh Area Community Foundation, have been giving education grants to Oshkosh area teachers, both public and private, of up to $1,000 each for the past 5 years. These grants allow educators to do extraordinary things in the classroom with our local school children. So…..come and support the fundraiser on behalf of the teachers and their students. You’ll have a great time- and you’ll be amazed at the hidden talent in our community! Tickets are available through The Grand’s box office, and by calling (920) 424-2350. You can also order online at http://purchase.tickets.com/buy/TicketPurchase?agency=TDC&pid=6678222 

And forward this to your friends, please!

Mid-Morning Kiwanis Club presents OSHKOSH SPRINGS INTO SONG

Sponsored by The Oshkosh Northwestern, Oshkosh Hilton Inn 44 North and The Grand Opera House

Ticket Prices: $35 Premium

$30 Orchestra/Mezzanine

$25 Gallery

$5 Students-only section (side areas)

OSHKOSH SPRINGS INTO SONG

CAST

Bryan Bain-UW-Oshkosh

Stacy Berger-Oshkosh Area School District

Karen Bowen-Oshkosh School Board, UW-Oshkosh, retired

Molly Butz- Oshkosh Senior Center

Lisa Cadkin-Oshkosh Allergy Center

Pam Elmer-Christensen’s Lingerie & Swimwear

Paul Esslinger- Mayor, City of Oshkosh

Joe Ferlo-Grand Opera House

Terri Groth-Perfecseal, a Bemis Company

Gordon Hintz-WI State Assemblyman

Alex Hummel-Christine Ann Center

Jeanne Jewell- Arts For Kids Child Care Center

Kris Kenowski- UW-Oshkosh

Jessica King- Oshkosh City Council; Compass Law

Gary Konrad-Konrad-Behlman Funeral Homes

Mary Lajcak-Community Cheerleader

Melissa Lantta-UW- Oshkosh

 Janelle Larie- Appleton School District; Miss Oshkosh 2006

Karen Larson-A T & T, retired

Peg Larson- Community Cheerleader

Megan McClellan- Aurora Health Care

Emily Mueller-Flanigan-Mueller Lincoln & Mercury

Sandy Morrissey-Sadoff & Rudoy

Kelly Nagorny-Community Cheerleader

Tony Palmeri- Oshkosh City Council; UW-Oshkosh

Janet Parker-Hydrite Chemical

Lori Renning-Community Cheerleader

Janey Robson-R.N., Al Fisher, M.D.

Mark Rohloff - City Manager, City of Oshkosh

Sue Sawitski-Aurora Medical Center

Cindy Smith- Drum Circle Facilitator

 Teri Stern- Family Values Hair Salon

Diane Stueber-Oshkosh Area School District

Lynnette Taugher-State of WI, Dept. of Corrections

Bridget Thorpe-Kavanaugh- UW-Oshkosh grad student, WI Dept. of Corrections

Burk Tower-Oshkosh City Council; UW-Oshkosh

Frank Tower- Hoffmaster

Aubyn Vogel- Family Values Hair Salon

Amy Weinsheim-Jazzercise

Sue Ziegler-USDA Farm Service Agency; Jazzercise  

SPECIAL APPEARANCE BY THE GRAND OPERA HOUSE STAFF

Tom Hanson, Technical Director; David Lange, Event Manager; Ann Pistohl, Office Manager; Jeff Potts, Development Manager; Nicki Scovronski, Administrative Assistant; ** Shawna Terry, Box Office Manager; and Kristine Berg, intern

NARRATOR Sue Panek………………………………………………………………………………… Oshkosh Area United Way

It’s a pretty incredible sight. At the moment, the original soffits (we’d know them as the maroon and green “beams” in the ceiling) are in their deflected state…..and when you look at the gap between the soffits and the now-restored trusses, and realize that they were once attached, it really brings home the point that this was a much needed repair!

Even though we are still in the earlier parts of this project, there is other finish work in progress. Laib Restoration will be handling the restoration/repair of the soffits, and Conrad Schmitt Studios will be restoring the painted elements in the ceiling and coves. Grand Opera House staff is working closely with city officials and the contractors and engineer, so that we can try to anticipate any operational improvements that can be generated as part of this repair.

In the meantime, we’ve begun to prepare for what will be an emotional re-opening sometime in Fall 2010. The Top 100 survey began this weekend and continues through January (see prior post), and we’re beginning to discuss how to work with all the local “arts partners” who call The Grand home, and to plan each of their homecomings in 2010-11.

Photos of the beginning of this process are now posted on The Grand’s Facebook site and are accessible to all- just paste the following address into your browser-

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=134282&id=14194284398&l=41da819417

This year the Top 100 has taken on a slightly different flavor thanks to our partnerships with Mercy Medical Center and The Oshkosh Northwestern — and the entire Top 100 Preview is available on-line, so you can vote at your leisure and help us identify acts for our Grand reopening season.

We’ve broken the artists down into 10 categories, and your job is to simply click on each performer, enjoy a multimedia clip of their work and then rate them based on how much you’d like to see them perform at The Grand (1 means not interested, 5 means very interested):

The categories are-

♦ A-list – the biggest names we can afford to book and still keep ticket prices relatively low.

♦ Comedy – individual Comedians and improv groups.

♦ Dance – Groups from traditional to modern and everything in between.

♦ Family – Fun and imaginative acts for children of all ages (including adults).

♦ Favorites – acts we’re considering bringing Back to The Grand for a return engagement.

♦ Holiday – From music to theater, there’s something for everyone’s Yule tide taste.

♦ Music – You want rock, folk, a cappella, even polka – everything is being considered.

♦ Theatre – Everything from touring tributes to a local production.

♦ Variety – There’s magic, mystery, ventriloquism and even Vaudeville.

♦ Wisconsin Artists – Plenty of homegrown talent to choose from!

We know there is something for everyone on this year’s Top 100 Preview. And while we can’t guarantee the highest vote getters will automatically be a part of our new season, I can say that in the past 5 seasons, a majority of our acts are chosen based on how well they performed on the Top 100.

Also, if there’s someone you don’t see on the list, each category has a place for you to write in a suggestion.

So, sit back, pretend you’re in the director’s chair, and let us know what you think. Thank you for taking the time to have your voice heard and to help us select performers for the Grand ‘s 2010-11 Season.

To make your voice heard, follow this link-

http://php.wisinfo.com/mktg/grandopera_osh/landing.php

Be sure to forward and email the link to your friends, post it on your Facebook wall, and encourage them to make their voices heard as well.

With your help the newly repaired Grand Opera House will re-open in the fall of 2010 with a full season of sold-out performances.

Thank you to again to Mercy Medical Center, The Oshkosh Northwestern, and everyone who takes the time to tell us who they want to see perform at The Grand Opera House!

Happy Voting!

I’m not normally the type to go climbing 30 feet into the air on a scaffold, no mater how safe it may be. But let’s face it, I’ve been doing this kind of work for almost 30 years, and this is the first time (and hopefully, the only time) that I’ve had a chance like this. So….up I went. It was pretty disconcerting the first time and I confess, I was walking very gingerly up there. Once I got there, though, the view was amazing. It became crystal clear that all the work that we’re doing, all the support we’ve gotten from the community and the city/county/state, were well worth it and very necessary. I can’t describe—I’ve tried— how significant the deflection (sag) in the ceiling truly is, when you get a perspective 8 feet, rather than 35 feet below. Thank goodness this is getting done, and quickly.

The more I made the climb, the  more comfortable I became. I spent some time up there with the principals involved—contractors, engineers, city representatives. I took some time with Max Hermans of Thompson Photo Imagery, who very generously has been taking photos of the whole operation. Max spent, literally, hours on his back last week, photographing the ceiling, section by section. Then I spent some time up there with artisans from the subcontractor responsible for documenting and then replicating or restoring the artistic elements of the ceiling structure (the cherubs, the wall coves, the logo, and of course, Shakespeare over the proscenium arch), and they had their time to document these things in their place. I was up there again, this time to supervise the removal of several of those elements- the ones that are on canvas- so that they could be stored and available for the artists as needed. By the end of the week, I got even more comfortable—making sure that staff got to share in this unique up-close look, and now I’m just bounding up that scaffold (ok, not exactly, but I am no longer creeping up)!

Still to come, a closer look at the wooden soffits (we’d call them “beams” when we saw them from below) that are original 1883 materials and which we hope to preserve; and soon, the actual demolition will begin, section by section, with the truss repair to follow. So although there is not much to see from the outside (and won’t be, as the roof deck itself is to remain intact), there is a lot going on inside The Grand.

Finally, the up-close view really made me appreciate the work that the people in the 1980s did to restore the hall. It took a lot of vision to put together the intricate patterns that were created with wallcoverings, in addition to the artwork itself. I’m really grateful to have had the opportunity to “touch the ceiling”!

MANY people approach me, particularly this time of year, looking for “ghost stories” or “tunnel stories” for The Grand. Following is an excellent article written for us in 1998 by Karen Sage. It is meant for your entertainment, so please, respect her copyright. Enjoy!

MYSTERIES OF THE GRAND

A woman in Victorian dress appears in the box section, or moving about in the Grand…  A headless male figure looms in the balcony…  the spirit of a benevolent stagehand protects actors and stage technicians from possible mishaps…  A barking dog even roams the basement…

Real or imagined?  These and other stories have circulated among past and present performers and visitors of the Grand Opera House in Oshkosh.  Such apparitions have stymied those who have witnessed them, attracted the attention of experts on the supernatural, and even brought a group of students to camp out in the building in search of these ghosts.

Witnesses have seen hazy audiences seated in the balcony and figures sitting in old theater chairs stored in a dark basement area.  Some have heard doors opening and closing in the basement, and a dog barking there late at night.

During the 1970s, theater operators Bill and Linda Seaton claimed that steel bars and a heavy chain were ripped away from an interior door one night, even though all of the exterior doors remained locked.  Linda Seaton said that this damage must have occurred from inside the empty opera house.

Bill Seaton also said sandbags from the old backstage hoist system had mysteriously dropped onto the stage (Dave Curran, Oshkosh Advance-Titan 11/30/78).

“‘It’s haunted as a bedbug,’ Seaton once claimed. ‘Everyone who has worked here has heard them; doors slamming, dogs barking, footsteps.  You get used to it’” (Michael Bever, Advance-Titan 2/26/76).

One university student involved in the filming of the 1976 horror movie Exit Dying thought he saw a figure move toward him in a hallway near the dressing rooms.  Another student felt someone or something grab at her as she walked down the same hallway (Dave Curran, Advance-Titan 11/30/78).

Some other members of the crew reported seeing a man exit the orchestra pit and disappear after entering a small room (Arthur Myers, “The Stage Manager Who Won’t Retire,” The Ghostly Register).  And one young woman became separated from the rest of the film group when she felt something clutch her ankle and restrain her at the bottom of the basement stairs near a coal bin (Bob Jacobs, Phantom of the Opera House Fate magazine).

Bob Jacobs, who produced the film “Exit Dying” at the Grand, said he saw the deceased Percy Keene, a stagehand for more than 70 years at the opera house (Dave Curran, Advance-Titan 11/30/78).  He said the smiling, bespectacled, grey-haired spirit of Keene appeared in the balcony shortly after the first private showing of the movie.

Jacobs said such a benevolent spirit must have watched over a stage assistant as he hung from a supporting rope during the filming of the movie, for although Larry Schroeder had been suspended above the stage for over an hour, the rope snapped only as his feet safely touched ground (Myers, Ghostly Register).

Bill Seaton claimed that when he was in the balcony, he often was tapped on the shoulder by Keene (Dave Curran, Advance-Titan 11/30/78).  And it was reported that a picture of a “faintly visible old man” believed to be Keene was taken during the filming of “Exit Dying” (Charity Brand, North Star, Oshkosh North High School 10/19/90; also Curran, Advance-Titan 11/30/78).  (Jacobs includes this “photo” in his Fate magazine article).

A member of a local theater group told of his encounter with an apparition as he came around a corner on his way from his dressing room to the stage.  This mysterious figure of a man in turn-of-the-century dress held up an old playbill from the Grand.

An acquaintance of Bob Jacobs’, who had not yet heard of the Grand’s ghosts, once reported seeing a “night-watchman” peering out a window of the opera house late at night, although there never was a watchman on duty there (Myers, Ghostly Register).

In 1984, a Connecticut couple who research psychic phenomena visited the Grand before arriving at the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh campus for a presentation on apparitions and exorcisms they had experienced, including the famed Amityville, N. Y. “horror.”

Lorraine and Ed Warren came into the opera house, which then was in the process of being restored, and awaited the presence of the Grand’s alleged ghosts.  Mrs. Warren, a clairvoyant, said she felt a pervasive sense of sadness while she stood on the stage of the Grand.  She also saw a woman in a rose-colored dress carrying something like a cane, and a dog with a large ruff (Oshkosh Northwestern 2/9/84).

The Warrens returned to the newly-restored opera house in 1987 to give a formal talk on their studies of supernatural phenomena.  Lorraine Warren said she still felt the presence of a female ghost there, and that not only were the ghosts yet remaining at the Grand, but were even more likely to be there than during the days of the building’s disrepair (Jaye Alderson, ON 2/26/87).

Oshkosh resident Betty MacNichol, who was involved in the theater’s restoration, recalled Lorraine Warren’s description of the “kind” lady ghost wearing a dress made of an iridescent material that first appeared pink, then blue.  Mrs. Warren also said that the spirit of the headless man in Shakespearean costume still was present in the balcony during her second visit.  The presence of the dog, however, was no longer there, according to Mrs. Warren.  Some recent performers, though, have claimed hearing the faint clicking sound of a dog padding across a floor (Sandy Mickelson, ON 10/31/90).

A group of Winneconne High School girls braved such rumors and camped out overnight in the opera house for the second year in 1992.  The eighteen students of Peter Hansen’s psychology class and three chaperones spent the wee hours searching for evidence of spirits at the Grand, and some of them came away with stories of their own.

One girl said she saw the figure of a middle-aged man dressed in blue pants and a red shirt in the balcony, and although none of her classmates saw any ghosts, many felt the presence of someone and experienced the feeling of being watched.  Some members of the group also reported hearing a dog barking inside the building (Doug Zellmer, ON 3/22/92).

In November 1994, two researchers of ghostly phenomena, Timothy Harte and Mike Hollinshead, toured the Grand with Scotty Rorek, who owned a nearby comedy club.  Harte said that he felt as if someone was watching him from near one of the box seats as he climbed the balcony steps, and that he saw “a globe of light” there; at the same time, Hollinshead’s camera malfunctioned, emitting noise and failing to focus on the peculiar light.  Harte heard “an old man coughing” in the basement, and Hollinshead found a 1978 newspaper that suddenly appeared in an area the researchers had already passed several times (Timothy Harte letter, 8/23/99).

Performers also have described ghostly encounters they experienced.  Most say the spirits are friendly ones who even applaud performers.  One woman claimed that she once tried to sit in an empty seat during a rehearsal, and felt like she’d sat down on someone’s lap (Sandy Mickelson, ON 10/31/90).

Such stories are well-known to the volunteers and docents who donate their time at the Grand.  Usher and docent Shirley Anderson recalls that in the 1980s, some Oshkosh university students rehearsing in the theater saw “an older woman in a purple dress in the balcony,” and that one of the students later felt that she might be the spirit of his grandmother, who had passed away in Indiana shortly before this event (Shirley Anderson — Ghost Story).

Volunteer Kay Wickert said that she and another volunteer were watching the musical “Jesus Christ Superstar” in the spring of 1998 when the house lights flickered and then went out for a few seconds.  Wickert wonders whether this might have been a religious sign, or perhaps “our famous spooky electrical man,” Percy Keene.

A volunteer named Lorelei remembers a small boy, at the Grand for a tour, describing a lady “ghost” in Victorian dress that he saw standing in an aisle while the boy’s group was practicing for a play. Lorelei also related a story as told to her by a man on a later tour.  The man claimed that a “psychic” acquaintance of his had also seen a woman in Victorian dress in the crowd at one of the Grand’s events during intermission (Lorelei — Ghost Story).

In addition to the rumored ghosts at the Grand, some local citizens also debate the past existence of tunnels beneath the opera house, especially one which was supposed to have run underground between the Grand and the since-razed Athearn Hotel across the street, once the lodging of stage greats who performed at the Grand during its earlier years.  Some claim that this tunnel was simply a practical mode of transportation for performers.

Others relate tales of underground shops, mysterious meetings, and even Prohibition-era speakeasy parties in the reputed tunnel.

Bill Seaton, who operated the opera house during the 1970s, claimed that an arcade once ran underneath the sidewalk on Market Street and housed small shops during the turn of the century (Diana Kipp, Advance-Titan 1/30/75; also Edith Bock, Appleton Post-Crescent 2/23/75).

Seaton and others involved in the project of uncovering old features in the opera house in 1975 maintained that stoned-over areas were once windows, restrooms and doors leading to the shops (Oshkosh Daily Northwestern 2/25/75).  One 1976 photo taken in the basement of a building adjacent to the Grand shows what is said to be the crumbling remains of an old kitchen area from an underground café (Mike Bever, Advance-Titan 2/19/76).

Jacobs is convinced that tunnels once ran beneath the streets of the city, connecting the Grand to other downtown buildings.  He said two female Oshkosh university students entered one of these tunnels to hunt for ghosts during the time of the movie’s filming, and were terrified to see a human-shaped aura rising from the tunnel’s dirt floor (Jacobs, Fate).

Oshkosh resident Lillian Fraser once worked at the Athearn Hotel and later cared for Dolly Athearn, daughter-in-law of original hotel owner George Athearn.  Mrs. Fraser related Dolly Athearn’s insistence that the tunnel between the Athearn and the Grand was real, although kept somewhat hidden

Mrs. Athearn told stories of drinking and gambling that went on in the tunnel during Prohibition.  She also claimed that showgirls staying at the hotel used the underground passage to go to the Grand for their performances, rather than going through the lobby (Mary Ann Koene, ON 12/16/84).

The late Percy Keene also said there was a tunnel leading from the Grand to the Athearn, as well as underground shops.  Joanne Alderson saw evidence of this underground arcade when she first entered the Grand in 1958 (Jo Alderson notes).

But late local historian Carl Steiger, who knew both George Athearn and Dolly’s husband Fred, denied the existence of the tunnel, as does Oshkosh resident Tom MacNichol, who was involved in the restoration of the Grand.  Workmen reported an archway and recessed wall area in the basement of the Grand on the south wall, facing the direction of the Athearn, but Richard Kempinger of the architectural firm hired to restore the Grand said this was simply a remnant of old shops that were once outside the building’s basement, accessible from a stairway from the street (Koene, ON 12/16/84).

During the 1980s Julie Krysiak hoped to discover the facts behind the rumors of underground passages in Oshkosh, including the tunnel that may have connected the Grand Opera House and the Athearn Hotel.  In May 1996, Krysiak led members of the Winnebago County Historical Society on a cavern-seeking tour of the Market Street area.

Bob Jungwirth, a former mayor of Oshkosh, insisted that the tunnel once existed, and said that he went about 20 feet into this tunnel as a child in the 1930s, while his mother worked cleaning the Grand in the evening.  Jungwirth and several other area citizens who claim that they also stood inside the tunnels are vexed by the insistence of other residents who deny the existence of such underground passageways in the heart of Oshkosh.

Another Oshkosh citizen, Robert Zellmer, said that in the late 1940s, as a teenager, he and two of his friends entered the tunnel after hearing about its existence from two construction workers who were doing repairs in the basement of the Grand.  The three high-school boys claimed that the tunnel extended from the Grand to the Athearn, and that when they told their teachers of this discovery, none of them seemed surprised.

Local resident Bill Shepherd said that, in the late 1950s, he was in the corridor that led to the Grand from a hallway near a barber shop in the basement of the Athearn.  According to Shepherd, this concrete passageway extended at least 30 or 40 feet, and was used for storage.  Shepherd said he and some other men entered the passage to retrieve folding chairs needed for a Jaycees convention at the hotel, but said they didn’t go all the way into the tunnel.

“Nobody questioned that the tunnel was there back in those days,” he added.

Local author and historian David Langkau also said that he stood in one of the reputed tunnels in 1967, after a Main Street business where he was employed was burglarized by way of a basement door.  Langkau described the passageway as about eight feet wide, constructed of dirt, rock and concrete, but said that the officer recording the burglary report wouldn’t allow him to explore the tunnel.  Langkau surmised that city officials may have denied the existence of these tunnels because of such risks to downtown businesses with access to underground corridors.

Today, all of the entrances to these reputed tunnels are bricked over.  Many city residents, as well as downtown business owners, say that the rumors of such passageways are simply that.  Tom MacNichol said that such rumors have persisted for years.  He also denies the claims of those who say that past prominent members of the community kept the tunnels hidden because they may have been the site of speakeasies, criminal hideouts and other corrupt activities.

MacNichol and others say that what some people claim are tunnels actually are merely old underground storage rooms and coal bins (Ed Lowe, Oshkosh Buyers’ Guide Sunday 5/26/96).

Copyright © 1998 by Karen Sage

It’s an odd feeling. The theatre’s been prepped in this fashion for a few weeks, and before one of the performances of THE FANTASTICKS a few weeks ago, I stood in the hall for a bit, as I regularly did before heading to “places” pre-curtain.

The acoustically-acclaimed Grand had a noticeable echo, due to the removal of the fabrics and seats. An echo- very strange! Plus, the theatre was lit only by natural light—it was a matinee performance, and the shutters over the windows were open, much as it might have been in 1883. Still, it felt like “The Grand”– and if there was a feeling (some might say “message”, especially in October!)  I got while standing there, it was “let’s get on with this!”.

And on with it we go. Construction fences and the first crane showed up on-site yesterday, and we’re preparing for the first phase of the process. I’m looking forward to posting progress reports, and eventually, a timetable for re-opening. In the meantime, stay tuned. And remember, the box office remains open on site, and the lobby in-use for Gallery Walks and other special events. The theatre may be under repair, but The Grand is far from closed!

It also marked a successful debut for the Lobby Theatre, our 50-seat alternate performance space created in the Grand Opera House lobby. The space will be used for gallery walk entertainment and displays, holiday activities, and who knows- perhaps another show in the spring. It was great to have audiences coming to our 100 High Avenue address!

And now we move on to the rest of the fall season at our “home away from home” in 2009-10, the Alberta Kimball Civic Auditorium at Oshkosh West High School. We have three terrific public performances planned for the fall, past favorites returning buy popular demand.

The World Famous GLENN MILLER ORCHESTRA returns for an October 10 performance at Alberta Kimball Auditorium. The Glenn Miller Orchestra is the most popular and sought after big band in the world today for both concert and swing dance engagements. With its unique jazz sound, the Glenn Miller Orchestra is considered to be one of the greatest bands of all time. The present Glenn Miller Orchestra was formed in 1956 and has been touring consistently since then, playing an average of 300 live dates a year all around the world. Tickets are $20-$32

Also coming this fall, return engagements by the LAKE SUPERIOR BIG TOP CHAUTAUQUA, and BLUE SUEDE SHOES, the Ultimate Elvis Tribute. Information is available on our public Facebook page, www.facebook.com/grandoperahouse .

And….with the STAND WITH THE GRAND and THE FANTASTICKS now tremendous memories, I hope to be a little more prolific in blog posts—including updates on the soon-to-begin construction work!

Let’s face it. The numbers pan out. The community has “walked the walk” for years, and were tremendously under-credited that night. Careful examination of the Opera House Foundation’s Form 990s shows that from 1987-2008, the community has contributed just shy of $3.5 million in private contributions, plus an additional $6.2 million in program services revenue (tickets, rent, box office service fees, etc.). This funds the programming and services at The Grand, for which no taxpayer dollars are used. Of course, there are tax dollars supporting The Grand, too—it is after all a city-owned building- but those dollars are for annual maintenance and major repairs to the building, a total of just under $2.1 million during the same period.

Some say the model doesn’t work. I say it works extremely well. The City of Oshkosh funds the maintenance of its building, the oldest operating theatre building in Wisconsin. The public, through donations, rental, and ticket sales, fund all the tremendous educational, entertainment, and social activities that occur there.  How much more public-private can it get?

And while I’m on the subject of giving credit where it is due, let’s spend some time on this renovation/restoration/repair issue. The Grand Opera House needs to be repaired. It was, in fact, restored once already, in the 1980s, with all of the amazing grass-roots, private, and personal donations that are being called for today. Let’s not lose sight of the amazing group of people who made that happen. Many of them are still with us today and they are ill-served should it be implied that The Grand needs a restoration drive.

The general public has always “walked the walk” with its Grand Opera House. And whether it’s the wonderful grass-roots campaign now going on, the amazing and passionate posts I see online in several locations, the emails and letters being sent to the councilors, or the ever-growing rally planned for City Hall just prior to the August 25 meeting, please know. The Grand Opera House, the Foundation, and I are all extremely appreciative of all your hard work, your passion, and your dedication.

Although I have received (and been grateful for) countless kind words about The Grand, the people who work there, and its importance in our community and region, and how “obvious” this decision may be, please understand that there is no such thing as a sure thing. Our Common Council is populated with thoughtful people, who value the opinions of the citizens- citizens of all ages. They need to hear from you.

People’s memories are flooding in to me– and populating the Facebook page (keep ‘em coming!)– but please remember, the Council needs to hear from you, too! Regardless of that special connection– whether you’re a “regular” in the audience…you “grew up” performing on that stage in a high school or community group…maybe you and your sweetheart met in a Grand production or had that first date in the theatre…or you saw a performance that changed you (it happens!)….or you are one of the couples who were married in this beautiful hall– you need to be heard! You already know that The Grand is an integral and vibrant part of the fabric of Oshkosh, and now is the time when you need to make your voice heard. Email addresses for the councilors appear on the City of Oshkosh website, and I will gather your postings on the Wall of the Grand Opera House page. No matter who you are, there is power in your voice, and The Grand needs you.

Be sure to thank the council for its support– remember, it was just a little over a year ago they voted to put fire protection sprinklers in the building– and let them know how important it is that they support the immediate funding of and most expedient repair to The Grand.

And– keep those kind words coming. We have a fabulous staff, board, and volunteer corps that has worked hard before, and during the five months since the closure. Your encouragement is very much appreciated!