Smith Opera House
82 Seneca Street,
Geneva,
NY
14456
82 Seneca Street,
Geneva,
NY
14456
2 people
favorited this theater
Built in 1894, the Smith Opera House operated as an opera house and vaudeville theater until it became the flagship of the Schine theater chain in 1929.
This majestic opera house was renovated by architect Victor Rigaumount in a unique combination of Art Deco and Baroque motifs. There are also evidences of Victorian and Moorish influences.
This theater is registered with the Smithsonian as well as the National Register for Historic Places. Famous names to have graced its stage include: George M. Cohan, Isadora Duncan, Al Jolsen, Itzhak Perlman, Wynton Marsalis, Billy Joel, and Dave Matthews¡just to mention a few.
Located in downtown Geneva at the head of beautiful Seneca Lake, the Smith Opera House is proudly entering its 107th year of operation. A $2.5 million restoration campaign is almost completed.
The opera house continues to show a wide variety of live performances year-round. On weekends, the theater shows movies on what is the largest indoor movie screen for almost 100 miles around.
Contributed by
Kevin Schoonover
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Recent comments (view all 29 comments)
SchineHistorian: Yes, I really should have asked you, our wonderful Schine expert. A local town near me has a building that says Swetland Opera House at the top, but it is, of all things, an apartment building now so I do appreciate a town keeping their opera house! One time I did speak with a resident of this building and they told me that some of the apartments show signs of the building’s past as an opera house. I’m not sure what they meant and would like to see the interior of the building. If I get inside, I’ll let you know.
This is a nice photo from 2007.
Too bad that the original marquees are still in place.
Correction: aren’t still in place
You had me worried with the first comment. :)
Yes, it was one of the great heartbreaks when the reigning board of directors chose not to replace the marquee. The argument was made that it was Schine’s Geneva Theater for FAR longer than it was Smith’s Opera House – but at that time they were enthralled with the concept of an “opera house” – choosing to ignore the fact that the designation was more properly “vaudeville house”.
But for those of us who celebrate the Schine days, the interior is virtually unchanged from the 1931 opening night design and splendor. Some may argue that it is “the best of both worlds”…. i don’t… But some may! ; )
what the dimensions of the screen?
1981 Photo
1983 Photo
Well neither of these marquees could come close to the stunning original Schine marquees. They knew how to do it right in those days!
I agree the building is great but the new marquee looks good but does not fit in.