12 Mighty Orphans.” It will be screened this Saturday, Aug. 14, and Tuesday, Aug. 17, at 7:30 p.m.

The next film in the 1891 Fredonia Opera House Performing Arts Center Cinema Series is the true drama “12 Mighty Orphans.” It will be screened this Saturday, Aug. 14, and Tuesday, Aug. 17, at 7:30 p.m.

Opera House Executive Director Rick Davis notes that “for the time being, due to the rising COVID positivity rate in Chautauqua County, we are asking all patrons to wear masks when attending Opera House events.”

“12 Mighty Orphans” tells the true story of the Mighty Mites, the football team of a Fort Worth orphanage who, during the Great Depression, went from playing without shoes – or even a football – to playing for the Texas state championships. Their resilient spirit became an inspiration to their city, state, and an entire nation in need of a rebound. The architect of their success was Rusty Russell (Luke Wilson), a legendary high school coach who shocked his colleagues by giving up a privileged position so he could teach and coach at an orphanage.

Rick Bentley, of Tribune News Service, says of the film, “there hasn’t been a sports film since the 1986 release of Hoosiers that has so beautifully blended the natural drama of sports with the unpredictability of the human spirit.” Pete Hammond, of Deadline Hollywood Daily, notes “this true story of a good and decent man and his ragtag football team of orphans is positively quaint and out of place, but somehow comforting in all it represents of an America long ago.” Randy Myers, in the San Jose Mercury News, says “if you’re looking for an old-fashioned sports drama, this is it.” Rated PG-13 for smoking, language, brief teen drinking, some suggestive references and violence, “12 Mighty Orphans” runs one hour, 58 minutes.

Tickets are available at the door for $7 (adults), $6.50 (seniors & Opera House members) and $5 (students) the night of each screening. A book of 10 movie passes is available for $60 at the door or online at www.fredopera.org. For more information, call the Opera House Box Office at 716-679-1891. The Opera House Cinema Series is sponsored by Lake Shore Savings Bank.

The Opera House is equipped with individualized closed captioning eyeglasses for the deaf as well as with assistive listening headsets for the hearing-impaired. Simply request one from any usher or Opera House staff member.

The 1891 Fredonia Opera House Performing Arts Center is a member-supported not-for-profit performing arts center with a mission to “present the performing arts for the benefit of our community and region … providing access to artistic diversity … and high quality programming at an affordable price.” It is located in Village Hall in downtown Fredonia.

For a complete schedule of events, visit www.fredopera.org.