Singin' in the Rain in the TH

Phantom of the Opera TV commercial

Phantom of the Opera TV Commercial

Phantom of the Opera

New Grand Under 21 Ticket Policy Effective May 1, 2011

The Grand Opera House Board of Directors has approved two new ticket plans to make “live theater” more affordable for younger audiences. Effective May 1st the $12 reserved seat ticket price will be available to persons 21 and under.  Executive Director Paul Hemmer said, “Persons under 21 can now purchase reserved seats in advance at a significant savings, and see their friends in our exciting all-star high school/college production of Phantom of the Opera, Singin’ in the Rain and other Grand shows.”

A new “Grand Rush” ticket will also be in available for student purchases. At 3pm on performance dates, a limited number of “best available seats” will be announced via social media such as Facebook, Twitter and Dubuque365/StreetJaw. “Grand Rush” tickets will be available on a first come basis beginning at 6pm that evening at the box office for just $10 cash. No checks or credit cards will be accepted. All seats are reserved but “Grand Rush” patrons will not have a choice of seat location. A photo ID must be shown for each seat purchased.  

Grand Board President Peter Soraparu said, “The Grand Rush plan brings the cost of live theater to the same level as a movie. The 6pm sale will allow young patrons to buy tickets, get something to eat at one of our convenient downtown restaurants and be back in time for the 7:30 curtain. It should encourage more high school and college students to experience the exceptional talents we’ve assembled to create our live productions.”

Grand Rush tickets will also be available for Sunday matinee performances. Notice will be posted before 12noon on performances days. The box office will open at 1pm with a limited amount of Grand Rush seats available until the 2pm curtain time.

For more information:  Paul Hemmer  563-588-4356

Jan Hemmer in "Dancing with the Stars" for the Grand Opera House

Jan Hemmer in "Dancing with the Stars-Dubuque Style"

Renaissance Faire is looking for actors

Here's a message from the nice people who are running the Dubuque Renaissance Faire this year:

The Dubuque Renaissance Faire, a fundraiser for Camp Albrecht Acres is looking for volunteers with a flair for the dramatic!

In particular, we needs folks who aren't afraid to interact a bit with the public, put on a costume and show enthusiasm for being part of a great family event that is entering it's fourth year in the Tri-State area.

All volunteers will receive free admission to the event and will be provided with a costume.  (unless they already have one of their own)

We need people to help with the tickets, programs, and various other assignments throughout both days of the event.  We open again on Saturday and Sunday, May 21 and 22, 2011.  I'm looking for men and women who want to help us raise some money for Camp Albrecht Acres, which provides unique services for children and young adults with mental and physical disabilities.

To learn more, please visit our website:  www.dbqrenfaire.org

Anyone interested may contact me directly, by email or by calling my cell phone.  lmelssen@aol.com or
515-314-5189

April brings great shows to the Grand

Don't miss this fabulous evening of great dance & music

Marina O'Rourke talks about the Dance Gala this weekend at The Grand

Marina O'Rourke talks about DANCE GALA

Grand's production of "Chicago-The Musical" gets 6 nominations

The Grand Opera House production of “Chicago-The Musical” received six nominations for excellence from the Iowa Community Theater Association. Categories including:

Actress in a leading role: Molly Von Ah as Roxi Hart and Christen Tebbe as Velma Kelly

Use of Lighting: Keith Ahlvin

Direction: Jeff Tebbe

Choreography: Marina O’Rourke

Ensemble: Entire Cast of Chicago-The Musical.

Nominating judges attended a performance of the production in July of 2010.

The awards will be presented at the annual Iowa Community Theater Association Festival to held in Newton, Iowa Sunday April 3, 2011.

Buddy TV Commercial

Watch the TV commercial for BUDDY that is running on Dubuque and regional Mediacom channels.

Ghosts of the Grand Opera House

            As you enjoy a performance in our beautifully restored theater there may be an unseen audience taking in the show for free. We don’t know their names and they haven’t purchased a ticket. But, paranormal investigators from throughout the Midwest believe in their presence and have photographs and audio to prove it.

            From 1890 to 1929 the Grand was a popular “legit” theater that featured many of the top touring performers and groups of the era. Century old playbills from 1900 also describe a professional stock company that produced a new show every week. Titles like Private Secretary, Gilded Fool, Saints and Sinners, Lady Bountiful, The Senator, The Bankers Daughter and The Young Miss Winthrop entertained tri-state residents in the days before movies, radio and TV. One legend tells us a young actress with the stock company who planned to meet her fiancé after a performance. He jilted her and in heartbroken despair she either took her own life or, according to some, was murdered in the building. They say her spirit that lurks mysteriously in the depths of the Grand.

            Since the Grand returned to live productions in 1986 dozens of volunteers have related stories of personal experiences involving strange shadows, unexplained sounds, objects and props that disappear and reappear in unusual places, slamming doors, strange footsteps, glowing orbs, ethereal voices and electric lights that turn on and off when no one is near the switch.

            The spirit of a woman has been seen by actors who were on stage, passing by the windows of the former projection booth which now holds the spotlights. A late night Ouija board session was conducted by several volunteers who claim that a name for the ghost was spelled out as “Sarah” and that she died in 1909 at the age of 19.

            Recently one group of paranormal investigators visiting the Grand experienced a number of unexplained events including an individual having his flashlight pulled from his back pocket when in a basement hallway. Another had a table pushed into his back while standing alone in a basement room.  A third person felt pushed three times while walking through the costume shop on the 5^th floor.

            One investigation describes “voices” in the old projection booth that is now used for spotlights. With frequency scanners and digital recorders they were told at least 10 spirits inhabit the building – all which had performed on stage at the Grand in the distant past.

            Whether you believe or not, the stories make for interesting conversation among actors, musicians and backstage personnel and have earned The Grand a place in a new publication, “Ghost Hunters Field Guide” by Rich Newman from Llewellyn Worldwide Press.

            October 27^th and 28^th the Grand will present an original theatrical production, “Ghosts of the Grand” with the assistance of magician Craig Beytien.

We’re hoping “Sarah” and some of her friends will approve of the show and perhaps even join us on stage or in the audience. We hope you will, too.