Thomaston Opera House

When it was a movie theatre in the 1930's it was called the Paramount. It stopped showing movies around the time the Park Theatre opened nearby.

The Opera House is going to get a complete renovation over every square inch of the facility during the next few years that could cost up to $3 million. Its official website is http://www.thomastonoperahouse.org/

What a place! I was biking through Thomaston at 9pm Wednesday and it's fortunate that there was a town hall meeting going on as well as a rehearsal at the Opera House for the current performance of Grease! The technical director told me some stuff and said I could tour around upstairs in the balcony and backstage. The interior was nice and on the trim upstairs it looked like white paint splotches were on the walls when it was excavation and faded paint. The ceiling is simple, yet impressive and there are 5 chandeliers on the ceiling. Some paneling is in place of the original artwork. The balcony railing is I believe, wrought iron but in a fancy style, like twisted black ivy. When you enter the theater, it's from stage right, next to the stage. The man said it sat 520- 300 downstairs and 220 upstairs. Some seats upstairs had no plush seating, only hardwood. Downstairs was plush. Of note: It was used as a movie theater and a dance hall and the floor does curve towards the stage, BUT the stage curves from the back to the front on a downwards slant towards the audience! Some European style, the director said. The year "1884" was above the proscenium. It's in remarkable condition. The long windows are adorned with long, fitted lavender drapes.

There are two organs. The one in the auditorium is to the left of the stage and I don't remember the name of the company on it, but it was something like Murr and Cotton? from Warsaw, NY on the tag. Correct me if I'm wrong. The back was open and you could see inside.
The entrance to the town hall had a very small organ at the entranceway by the ticketbooth. The name was something like, C. Bollinger and Company, New Haven, CT. Truly an amazing gem.

Marr & Colton is the organ manufacturer. I don't have any record of an organ installed in this theater. Perhaps it was moved in from elsewhere.

It was moved from somewhere else. I'll ask the Opera House's director next time I see him where it came from.

It is a 3/15 Marr & Colton organ. It was originally installed at the Palace Theatre in Danbury, but was removed in 1967. It was installed in the Opera House in 1971. The organ's history can be seen at http://theatreorgans.com/cvtos/#organs

The latest issue of Theatre Historical Society's MARQUEE MAGAZINE features a photo and short bio of this theater in a travel feature spotlighting the Berkshires.

Go to www.historictheatres.org to join THS or order back issues.