“We’re so excited to be hosting a performance on our stage once again, even if it is to an empty theatre,” notes Opera House Executive Director Rick Davis. “We are so grateful to the artists who are participating in this show. Thanks to a generous grant from the Northern Chautauqua Community Foundation, we were able to purchase the equipment and technology to enable us to live stream this event, as its happening, to viewers at home.”

Aptly titled Opening Up/Back to Broadway, the show features the music of Broadway and includes selections from musical theatre classics as well as contemporary blockbusters, including Evita, Hamilton, Rent, Waitress, Moulin Rouge, Come From Away, and Frozen. Also, Les Miserables, Shrek, Music Man, The Bridges of Madison County, and others.

The performance showcases singers Julie Costantini, Scott Costantini, Jennifer Davis, Jim Foley, Chris Switala, Steve Wendell, and Holly Weston, with Jim Welch on piano. “To keep the performers safe during their performance, the Opera House has been sanitized top to bottom and all recommended COVID guidelines are being followed” adds Davis.

The show is the brainchild of Opera House Board Member Jennifer Davis. “I was talking with a few friends who are singers and regular performers in local productions about how we have been on ‘pause’ from performing for so long due to the pandemic,” she says. “We’ve missed performing so much. So we thought we’d create our own opportunity and help the Opera House at the same time!”

Jenn Davis

The concert is a live-streamed event, which will only be presented live as it is happening. Tickets are $16 per household and can be purchased online at www.fredopera.org. A Vimeo link to view the performance will be emailed to ticket-buyers a few hours prior to the show’s curtain.

The 1891 Fredonia Opera House is a member-supported not-for-profit organization located in Village Hall in downtown Fredonia. Currently closed due to COVID-19 restrictions, the theatre is offering a variety of digital program offerings to continue its mission of “present the performing arts for the benefit of our community and region … and providing access to artistic diversity … and high quality programming at an affordable price.”

Jim Foley

Christopher Switala