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The lights dim and the audience’s voices soften. Frescoes on either side of the house walls slowly transform into the setting sun. As darkness descends, twinkling stars appear overhead creating an "evening sky" and the illusion of being in a garden. The spotlight appears, the performers take center stage, and the magic begins. Welcome to the historic Smith Opera House, located in Geneva, New York. For over 100 years, people of all ages have enjoyed performing arts productions at The Smith and have been enriched by their magical power. Built in 1894 by philanthropist William Smith, the theatre has through the years played a variety of roles: opera house, playhouse, vaudeville venue, movie palace, performing arts center, and community cultural center. |
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Built in 1894 for $39,000 by local philanthropist William Smith, The Smith was designed by well-known architects Joseph Pierce and Henry Bickford. The handsome Richardsonian Romanesque structure is recognized nationally by major preservation organizations including the National Register of Historic Places and the Smithsonian. It is among the oldest operating theatres in the United States. In the early 1930’s Schine’s Amusement Company, Inc. Spent $500,000 gutting and renovating the opera house’s interior with a combination of Art Deco and Baroque motifs. The architect, Victor Rigaumount, also incorporated Victorian and Moorish influences to create grand interior. Currently, fewer than 300 of the nation’s original "movie palaces" remain. Fourteen are in New York State, and only eight are still used for the performing arts. They include Radio City Music Hall, Landmark Theatre in Syracuse and the Smith Opera House In Geneva. Countless performers have graced The Smith’s stage and silver screen. Performances have included those by notable artists such as: George M. Cohan, Isadora Duncan, Al Jolsen, John Philip Sousa, Itzhak Perlman, Wynton Marsalis, Billy Joel, Jay Leno, Bruce Springsteen, Dave Matthews, Bruce Hornsby, and David Grisman. |
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Smith Opera House - A History in Brief
1894
Geneva’s Smith Opera House, a "jewel in the burgeoning young city’s cultural crown," opened as a site for both operas and plays. In the early 1900’s, it operated as a vaudeville playhouse.
1906
The Opera House was given to Hobart College, which later sold it to endow William Smith College.
1929
Schine Enterprises purchased the building from the last of a series of owners. Major renovations transformed it into a grand "atmospheric" movie palace.
1931
Renamed the Geneva Theatre, it was the flagship of the Schine theatre chain.
1950’s
The Geneva Theatre, like other urban movie theatres, suffered from the competition of television and drive-in movies.
1978
The City of Geneva took possession of the once flourishing theatre for back taxes. The "Gang of Five" (Paul Brown, Steve Hastings, Dan Belliveau, Ken Camera and Jeff Rathaus) and attorneys John O’Malley and Murray Heaton worked with major Geneva financial institutions to underwrite the purchase of The Smith.
1979
The Finger Lakes Regional Arts Council, Inc. was established to preserve and operate the theatre as a regional performing arts center.
1982
A $100,000 community campaign restored 500 theatre seats and extended the stage.
1983
The Geneva Theatre was renamed Smith Opera House.
1984-93
Renovations and studies continued.
1994
The Centennial Campaign raised over $1 million, which has now been invested for Phase I renovation efforts: facade restoration, priority exterior renovations, and mechanical and electrical system upgrades.
1998
The Center Stage Campaign seeks $1.65 million for Phase II interior restorations, site improvements, and ongoing program support.
For additional historical information about The Smith the book "Revels in Hand: The First Century of the Smith Opera House" by Charles McNally is available for purchase at the theatre.
Smith Opera House - A History in Brief
1894
Geneva’s Smith Opera House, a "jewel in the burgeoning young city’s cultural crown," opened as a site for both operas and plays. In the early 1900’s, it operated as a vaudeville playhouse.
1906
The Opera House was given to Hobart College, which later sold it to endow William Smith College.
1929
Schine Enterprises purchased the building from the last of a series of owners. Major renovations transformed it into a grand "atmospheric" movie palace.
1931
Renamed the Geneva Theatre, it was the flagship of the Schine theatre chain.
1950’s
The Geneva Theatre, like other urban movie theatres, suffered from the competition of television and drive-in movies.
1978
The City of Geneva took possession of the once flourishing theatre for back taxes. The "Gang of Five" (Paul Brown, Steve Hastings, Dan Belliveau, Ken Camera and Jeff Rathaus) and attorneys John O’Malley and Murray Heaton worked with major Geneva financial institutions to underwrite the purchase of The Smith.
1979
The Finger Lakes Regional Arts Council, Inc. was established to preserve and operate the theatre as a regional performing arts center.
1982
A $100,000 community campaign restored 500 theatre seats and extended the stage.
1983
The Geneva Theatre was renamed Smith Opera House.
1984-93
Renovations and studies continued.
1994
The Centennial Campaign raised over $1 million, which has now been invested for Phase I renovation efforts: facade restoration, priority exterior renovations, and mechanical and electrical system upgrades.
1998
The Center Stage Campaign seeks $1.65 million for Phase II interior restorations, site improvements, and ongoing program support.
For additional historical information about The Smith the book "Revels in Hand: The First Century of the Smith Opera House" by Charles McNally is available for purchase at the theatre.