Ohio Valley Opry celebrates its 100th show
by sam Shawver, sshawver@mariettatimes.comFact Box
If you go
What: The 100th consecutive show of the Ohio Valley Opry, Saturday (shows held every first and third Saturday of each month.)
Where: Ohio Valley Opera House in McConnelsville; from Marietta take Ohio 60 north to McConnelsville. Look for the opera house on the right in the town square.
When: Show starts at 7 p.m., doors open at 6 p.m.
Admission: $7 general; $8 reserved seats; and $1 for all children age 17 and under.
For more information: ohiovalleyopry.com or (740) 558-2283.
Driving along Ohio 60 through the village of McConnelsville, it's hard to miss the spire-topped 19th century Ohio Valley Opera House presiding over the town square.
Impressive as that edifice is, it's what goes on inside the opera house that draws hundreds of visitors to the Morgan County community at least twice a month.
The Ohio Valley Opry, a variety show featuring a blend of country, bluegrass and gospel music, as well as stand-up comedy, will celebrate its 100th performance at 7 p.m. Saturday night. Doors open at 6.
"We'll have 12 different entertainers for this 100th show, and there will be a good mix of new and classic country, gospel and bluegrass. It's just great family entertainment," said Deana Clark, whose family established the Ohio Valley Opry eight years ago.
"Our family has traveled, singing and playing positive country, bluegrass and gospel music throughout this area for 20 years," she said. "We all love the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, and thought why not hold our own Branson-style show right here in Morgan County?"
Clark said the facility was originally designed as a concert hall, but in more recent times had been used as a movie theater.
"It's a beautiful building, the acoustics are perfect - and the stage was built to project sound as there were no microphones when the opera house was constructed," she said.
In 2000, the Clarks began holding Ohio Valley Opry shows once a month in the historic opera house. Now, eight years later, the shows are drawing so much attention that they're held twice a month on the first and third Saturdays.
"We have tried to make these professional shows, to give the audience a quality experience," Clark said. "And we often fill all 562 seats in the house."
Shannon Wells with Morgan County's economic development office, had known about the shows for several years, but never attended a performance until this year.
"My husband and I were invited in March, and the place was packed," Wells said. "And I didn't see a lot of folks from McConnelsville. Most seemed to be from Parkersburg, Marietta or other places outside this area."
She said the entertainment was top-notch.
"I really didn't expect such quality - after all this is just the little village of McConnelsville," Wells said. "The show really was that great."
|
Johanna
|
|
|---|---|
|
11-15-08 11:33 PM
|
Is there a website of the upcoming shows. I am familar with McConnellsville and travel that way frequently to go to Columbus. Need a schedule of upcoming events/shows.
|