7/24/2010 11:48:00 PM
Hitting a high note
Hundreds celebrate restoration of historic Elks Opera House
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| | | “For the past 13 months, Prescott’s historic downtown theater, the Elks Opera House, has been undergoing a major restoration. The goal was to bring back the historic ambience of the 1905 theater. On July 24, a gala grand-opening will unveil the restored o |
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Matt Hinshaw/The Daily Courier
Members of the Phoenix Opera Vocal Ensemble and Orchestra perform “Die Fledermaus – Finale of Act 2” by Johann Strauss II Saturday night during the Elks Opera House grand opening gala in Prescott. |
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Matt Hinshaw/The Daily Courier
People begin to take their seats before the evening’s entertainment begins. |
 | | | The Elks Opera house had their Grand Opening Gala Saturday July 24, 2010 in downtown Prescott. Staff Photographer Matt Hinshaw was there to document the historic event. |
| | Elks will try variety of entertainment in first year | With its newly restored opera boxes, ornate stenciling and comfortable new seats, the Elks Opera House will be working in the coming year to carve a niche in the local entertainment scene.
"We're going to do a lot of exploring this first year," said Administrative Services Director Mic Fenech, who oversees the city-owned theater.
Even before the gala grand opening wrapped up Saturday night, a flurry of activity was taking place to plan for the future of the Elks.
First up was a bid to get as many of the previous users of the historic theater as possible interested in coming back for a show in August.
"For the month of August, we contacted all of the local people who had used the theater," Fenech said, noting that Elks Event Coordinator Dawn Castaneda had pulled previous files and tried to make contact with former users.
The goal was to reintroduce the theater's users to the newly renovated venue. "We wanted to give them an opportunity where they would have no exposure," Fenech said. "We want to get people into the theater inexpensively."
Under the temporary arrangement, performers would charge a minimum entry fee, and would pledge the first $1,500 in revenue to the theater. After that, the performer and the Elks Opera House Foundation would split the proceeds.
Progress so far has 16 of the 31 days in August booked with a combination of local and out-of-town events.
For example, portions of the Aug. 6-8 Prescott Film Festival will take place at the Elks. Then, on Aug. 7, the Pandemonium Steel Pan Drum will perform, and "Tea with ZAZA" will take the stage on Aug. 14.
"Anybody who would still like to book (in August) can contact us," Fenech said. "All of the weekends are gone, but we still have weekdays available."
Beyond August, Fenech said the theater would be looking into a variety of users.
Several weddings already have booked the theater, as have some corporate events, Fenech said.
In addition, the theater will be looking at nationally known acts that prefer a small, intimate venue.
"If you have 500 seats, and you charge an average of $40 per ticket - which, I think puts you in the mid-range for high-quality entertainment - that's $20,000," Fenech said. "You can get second or third-tier performers for $20,000."
With an eye toward closing the gap between the Elks' expenses and its revenues, Fenech said the theater would rely on the expertise of a "performing arts forum" made up of people with experience in the arts.
To give the theater an additional boost, the Elks Opera House Foundation has amassed a "performing arts fund" - with the help of a $150,000 contribution from an anonymous benefactor - to guarantee revenue for various performances.
Meanwhile, the city is still looking for a full-time manager for the theater. Fenech said the application period closed on July 15, and he plans to peruse the nine applications after the gala.
In addition, the Elks likely will staff a part-time bookkeeper and a half-dozen part-time, temporary workers. Fenech estimates the total annual budget for the theater at about $310,000.
Even after the major fundraising that took place to do the $1.75 million restoration, the Elks Opera House Foundation plans to continue its efforts. Ultimately, the goal is to buy the entire building on Gurley Street.
Currently, the city owns the theater, while a local law firm owns the rest of the historic building.
"That is the push - to purchase the entire building," Fenech said, noting that the goal is to convert the building into a performing arts center, complete with classroom space for a variety of the arts.
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PRESCOTT - The accolades coming from those attending Saturday night's gala grand opening of the Elks Opera House were eclipsed only by the grand setting.
"A miracle," said one of the 500 or so people who packed the restored theater. "Elegant," said another. "Beyond my expectations," added one of the Elks boosters.
After the completion of more than a year of restoration work on downtown Prescott's historic theater, the mood was distinctly celebratory Saturday night. The $125-per-ticket black-tie event attracted a wide range of attendees, including local, state, and federal officials, as well as many long-time supporters of the Elks.
By the time the doors opened at 6 p.m., throngs of elegantly clad people were already making their way across the closed-down Gurley Street to the white tent and red carpet that awaited them in front of the restored theater marquee.
As waiters circulated carrying hors d'oeuvres and champagne, the crowd moved through the vintage lobby and into the theater that now features restored opera boxes, an authentic chandelier and ornate stenciling.
John Olsen, the president of the Elks Opera House Foundation, was beaming as hundreds of people mingled before the entertainment began.
"The old theater cleaned up pretty good," Olsen said. "It's fabulous. There were times we didn't know if we'd make it, but this is beyond my expectations."
Carl Bauer and his wife Alicia -long-time Elks boosters - expressed awe at the work that local construction crews and artisans did in restoring the grandeur of the 1905 theater.
"After many frustrating years, it is an absolute miracle, and Elisabeth (Ruffner, foundation member) should be recognized for her 'general-ship' of the whole restoration," Carl Bauer said.
Ruffner, who was central to the years of fundraising and the 13 months of restoration, was obviously emotional as the theater filled with people.
"We came early and watched the rehearsal," Ruffner said of the featured entertainment, the Phoenix Opera. "To have an opera performing, with an orchestra, was a culmination of all of my dreams."
Parker Anderson, the official historian of the Elks, noted that locals had hoped for a fully restored theater for decades. "A lot of people tried for many years to make this happen - since about the late 1970s," Anderson said, adding, "This is a wonderful night."
Ralph Weiger, another of the core group of foundation members, gave much of the credit to the local benefactors who contributed to the fundraising efforts, including the Kieckhefer Foundation and the Harold James Family Trust.
Indeed, much of the $1.75 million restoration was possible because of the $1.25 million contribution by the Harold James Family Trust.
After the announcement of the first $1 million in late 2008, trust representative Ron James said the contribution was inspired by the memory of his aunt, Mitzie James, a patron of the arts who died in 2007.
"I think it's wonderful," James said of the restoration Saturday night, adding that Mitzie would be "really proud and happy" - a sentiment that Ron's brother Boe James also expressed. "This is something our aunt would have loved," he said.
"All of Prescott should be proud," Ron James said, adding, "I hope this will last another 105 years, and hopefully we'll never let it get so run-down again."
When the gala entertainment kicked off at about 7:20 p.m., the audience enthusiastically responded - first to a rendition of "The Star Spangled Banner" by Phoenix Opera member Johnny Huerta, and then to Prescott Administrative Service Director Mic Fenech's introduction of the theater.
"You did this; way to go," Fenech said as he appeared on stage as master of ceremonies. "Give a standing ovation to yourselves."
A 16-minute video history by the city's Public Affairs department also produced cheers from the crowd. As the video, "A Journey Through Time," chronicled the 105 years of Elks history, the crowd repeatedly erupted into applause at the mention of the prominent Elks supporters such as the James Trust, Ruffner and local architectural firm Otwell Associates Architects.
To showcase the local talent that has long been a part of the Elks' entertainment, two local teenagers, Marianne Hughes and Marcus Knight, performed a medley of classic songs, such as "Singing in the Rain," and "Somewhere Over the Rainbow."
Those numbers all led up to the featured entertainment of the night - a performance by the Phoenix Opera.
After the entertainment, the gala took the crowd back once again to the 1905 opening of the theater when, Fenech said, "people were dancing in the streets."
The evening ended with food, drinks, and music on the Elks stage.
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Posted: Tuesday, August 03, 2010
Article comment by:
Old and Wise
Dear Mayor Kuykendall,
As you know there are advantages to growing old. At a young 81 years of age I can walk around and as long as I don't speak I blend into the scenery and people ignore me. My weathered skin has learned quite a bit on daily strolls through my beloved Prescott. Myself, my children, my grandchildren and now great-grandchildren have enjoyed many an event at the old theater. I have lived within two miles of the Elks for way to many years now and was quite interested in watching the renovation. I wandered around and through the theater many times during the work process. So tell me mayor how come I only see and hear from Mr Fenech and not Ms Dawn? Ms Dawn kept our old theater alive for more years than I can count and is the spirit of the Elks. She gave purpose and direction to many local children that otherwise had none. What has Mr Fenech done for our local youth? A strong leader would let the manager from each of his departments take the lead, where Mr Fenechs ego takes him front and center to all the attention. He did not even give her proper credit at the grand opening gala. I read that he is now hiring for Dawns position. I'd like to know mayor why you would let Mr Fenech hire for any position? Wasn't the last person he hired incarcerated or is that a dirty little town secret? Why would the city open up an individuals position when they are under the stress and time constraints of a grand opening? Was this Mr Fenechs idea? Isn't this the same man that believes the city should have a wedding planner? Is this wise with our current budget constraints? He is either a city lawsuit time bomb or an unprofessional drain on city resources. His expertise lies in making sweeping changes that look good only for the moment on the books. Perhaps Prescott should consider retaining Ms Dawn at her current salary and reconsider retaining Mr Fenech. His history in playing hatchet man with the locals and then bringing in his so-called experts from elsewhere is not good for our town or our economy. I challenge you mayor to make the right decision here. I'm sure Mr Fenech and all his little ducklings will survive in another unsuspecting town.
Posted: Monday, July 26, 2010
Article comment by:
once bit twice shy
this is the same best its ever been speech fenech and norwood gave the golf course six years ago, but we still continue to to throw good money after bad i guess we will see. enjoy the show...
Posted: Sunday, July 25, 2010
Article comment by:
Karyl Moore
The Elks Theatre grand re-opening was the most enjoyable event I've ever attended in Prescott (I've been here about 17 years). The restoration turned out beautifully and the entertainment was amazing. Thank you to all those involved in creating such a wonderful evening!
Posted: Sunday, July 25, 2010
Article comment by:
LuvTheElks Always
I was honored to be at the gala last night - and thrilled to watch the fabulous performances by local and Phoenix stars. Congrats to the entire Elks Opera House staff, management, and crew - you did yourselves proud!
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