Opera House Players return to Volga City Opera House with dinner theater show
The Opera House Players rehearse for the dinner theater production of “Glorious!” at the Volga City Opera House. It’s the first time since “Singing in the Rain” almost 25 years ago that OHP will take the stage in Volga.
By Willis Patenaude, Times-Register
The Opera House Players (OHP) will return to the Volga City Opera House the next to weekends, after a 25-year absence. Their dinner theatre production of “Glorious!” was originally a 2005 stage comedy by Peter Quilter and tells the story of Florence Foster Jenkins, “the worst singer in the world.”
The return highlights the decades-long journey of the Volga City Opera House from a rundown building incapable of hosting shows to its current condition. And the OHP show is a testament to the power of rural communities coming together for a common goal.
In fact, current VCTC CEO Tom Klingman wasn’t even sure the opera house could be saved at one point, calling the idea “far-fetched” after the flood of 1999 closed the building and nearly led to its demolition.
“I honestly did not expect the renovation to get this far given the extremely derelict condition of the building when the non-profit organization, VCTC Inc,. took ownership,” Klingman said. “Yet, we were able to get this opera house renovation this far.”
According to Klingman, the improved condition is a reflection of how small towns, rather than holding town versus town mentalities, focus on working together. And despite Volga’s noted economic difficulties, it was still capable of pulling off the monumental task.
Klingman pointed out it was a team effort that included multiple people and organizations, including the OHP, who heavily supported the effort. In fact, OHP members Kay Moser and Tom Chandler were two of the first people who walked into the Volga City Opera House in 2010 to offer advice and support.
“This project has had support from every surrounding community and far beyond. Ideally, this experience can be a catalyst for a stronger relationship between all our surrounding communities, understanding we only grow and get better if we work together,” Klingman said.
While the road to “Glorious!” was difficult due to budgets and building conditions, the opera house was finally ready to host a show of this caliber, thanks to what Klingman said are “recent upgrades” that have opened the door to hosting such events.
Klingman acknowledged the opera house still needs some tweaks and work done, but noted the OHP members have been “extremely kind and patient” while working with the challenges of performing in a venue that is different than and doesn’t have the same history and longevity of hosting productions as the Elkader Opera House.
Nonetheless, the show is headed for the stage. In doing so, it fulfills a goal of Klingman, who reminisced about his childhood and venturing to performances in Elkader, calling them some of his “favorite experiences in the opera house.”
Those experiences drove the determination to bring the OHP to Volga. It’s also an opportunity to show the surrounding communities, and possibly the rankings for rural towns, that the “Volga City Opera House is alive and entering a new prime.”
When it comes to the OHP and their ambitions, “Glorious!” co-director and OHP member since 1972, Craig Strutt, said it all started with conversations with Klingman several years ago and a general desire to perform on the Volga stage.
“Tom wants to see his facility used more and has been working tirelessly to bring dinner shows back to the area. There are many technical details in getting a facility ready for a production such as this, and for many years, Tom has been working to gradually add those capabilities to the building. Putting on a show such as this one allows us all to realize what a facility needs to make things work,” Strutt explained.
This effort included volunteers such as Del Reimer, who has given his time and expertise on lighting equipment. He and co-director Tom Chandler have been preparing the stage area for the production.
Strutt made a point to highlight the involvement of volunteers in this effort and how critical they are in bringing a project like this to completion.
“Without a team sharing the load, it wouldn’t happen. As you near opening night, as director, you always run into that time where you wonder if everything will come together,” Strutt said. “It makes me realize the truth of one of the lines in this show, as one wonders why we put ourselves into this position. To paraphrase, ‘We do this because we want to be loved.’ Hearing the comments and appreciation of the group effort allows us to get through the challenges that present themselves.”
Unlike typical shows, “Glorious!” is a dinner theater, chosen because it offers something different and creates a more intimate experience. As Klingman explained, one of the things people do prior to attending a show is go to dinner. Well, this event brings dinner to the audience while they watch, combining the food, spirits and entertainment all in one venue.
However, it wasn’t just about bringing any food and drink. Over the last 12 years of opera house renovations, Klingman said there has been a familiar refrain from the public: they want something different.
“They crave a different meal than what you normally get at local restaurants. Local restaurants are great, but they want change on occasion. Caterers for these shows bring something special that is only available at a special event like this,” Klingman said.
As a result, the event will use several caterers across the two weekends, including T-n-T BBQ & Catering from Oelwein for the Sept. 30 and Oct. 1 shows; Bad Boys BBQ from Strawberry Point for Oct. 2; Johnson’s Restaurant and Catering of Elkader for Oct. 6 and 9; and Café Rosé/Edgewood Event Center for Oct. 7 and 8.
For Strutt, the dinner theater experience offers something “more cohesive” and a “shared experience” that attendees don’t necessarily get from a traditional show.
“The extended time together and the sharing of a meal…allows the show to be an even more emotional experience. That can mean finding a show that is more on the edge, or one that is both funny and heartfelt—something that either takes us out of our own selves, or something that we can identify with,” Strutt said.
“Glorious!” as described by Strutt, is perfect for the dinner theater environment because it has the right emotional temper. It is funny and heartfelt, and the fact it’s based on a true story of “the worst singer in the world in 1940s New York” gives the show “even more power.” It allows the audience to connect and recognize themselves within the character on stage.
“It is a story about the belief in oneself and how we can find joy, even in what others may find jarring and uncomfortable,” Strutt said. “I enjoy this show because it speaks of the fact that the joy with which you approach life can lift others up no matter what your abilities are.”
Mary Beth Specht, who will play the role of Jenkins, offered a similar statement on the show’s overall message. It’s about showing that “No dream is too big or bold if you believe in yourself and your passion.” In essence, anyone could be Florence Foster Jenkins.
The dinner theater shows are set for 7:30 p.m. on Sept. 30 and Oct. 1, 7 and 8. The Oct. 2 and 9 events will be at 2 p.m.
Tickets are currently on sale and include the meal, dessert and coffee and the show. Tickets are available online at operahouse.booktix.com. People can also stop at the Elkader Floral Shop or call (563) 873-2378 to reserve a spot.
“You’re not going to experience anything like this possibly ever again. The venue is continuing to improve, so there is a sense with the Volga City Opera House as a venue that is about to erupt with greatness,” Klingman said.
