With a lightness and sparkle visible from the interior before they even crossed the threshold, the Memorial Opera House welcomed admirers to the unveiling of her next era Friday afternoon.
While technically a renovation, the deft juxtaposition of modern highlights and preservation of historical detail read more like an airy refresh.
Gone are the tight quarters and brown woods of the old entry. The removal of interior walls, the addition of creamy colors, and the glint of brass and glass make the new lobby an open space that serves as both bar and box office, while the original stained glass half-round window above the main entrance shines.
The crowd of about 75 started the rededication festivities on the sidewalk in front of the opera house as American Legion Post 94 posted the colors, gave a 21-gun salute and played Taps. The program then moved indoors to the auditorium where new gray and taupe cross-hatch patterned carpeting provided a plush ground for the even plusher new walnut finish and russet velour seats.
Overhead the original pink, rose, and green floral garlands brightly festooned the ceiling and upper walls while the eight box seats framed the speakers with ornate gold and silver leaf. Porter Superior Court Judge Michael Fish, a colonel and staff judge advocate with the 38th Infantry Division, addressed the crowd first in his army green dress uniform.
He quoted many historical greats from Abraham Lincoln to Douglas MacArthur in his speech that reminded those present that the building was originally dedicated in 1893 as a living memorial to the veterans of the Civil War. He quoted MacArthur who said, “The soldier above all, prays for peace.”
As personal enjoyment and tranquility were meant as the chief concern of the venue, Fish said he hoped the community would take great pleasure in its future productions such as the comedy there Saturday night.
“We all prefer security over unrest . . . and unity over division. Let this opera house be a beacon for those ideals,” he said.
Porter County Commissioner Laura Blaney, D-South, in a prepared statement read for her by MOH Director Scot MacDonald, addressed the division that plagued the MOH leading up to its nearly $5 million renovation. Most county government officials wanted a more expansive build-out that connected the MOH to the neighboring Sheriff’s Residence via a glass and metal addition.
In the end, a more modest renovation of the structure as it stood won out and praise was given all around to the final result. “While it’s not the project I envisioned at the start, it is beautiful,” Blaney’s statement read. “Government is all about compromise and problem-solving. We all had to bend a lot to get this done, but it’s clear that it was worth it.”
Colleen Peluso, vice chair of the MOH Foundation, explained improvements to the building that make it ADA-compliant. Her organization is funding projects including making the small bathroom in the basement wheelchair-accessible and installing wheelchair lifts for the stage and dressing rooms.
The main bathrooms in the lobby, which were the topic of much discussion because they weren’t ADA compliant, now each have a wheelchair-accessible stall in their refreshed interiors. Large-format tiles are laid in a chevron pattern while brass fixtures grace the sinks.
Off the second-floor balcony, a crisp black-and-white scheme elevates an existing powder room. “It was not one that you’d recommend to anyone,” foundation board member Christy Vice said of the bathroom in its previous form.
“I feel like they’ve done such a wonderful job with bringing some new in without taking the character out,” she said. “The walls aren’t falling down now. They fixed the peeling. It’s home for a lot of people.”
Board of Commissioners President Jim Biggs, R-North, acknowledged plans to pass off the management of the opera house to the city of Valparaiso after a due diligence period expected to wrap up by the end of the year.
“They’re better prepared and better structured to do that,” he said. “It’s really about protecting this building for generations to come. It isn’t about who’s managing it.”
Porter County Councilman Greg Simms, D-3rd, told the crowd he’s a people-watcher. He said he’d been standing on the sidelines enjoying the reactions of those walking in the door. “I guess the first word that pops out is ‘Wow!’” he said. “Elation, thankfulness, newness.”
He teased that Board of Commissioners Vice President Barb Regnitz, who oversaw the project, didn’t give the basement its due when she spoke of the building’s analysis from top to bottom. “It’s wild down there. Maybe haunted?” he asked.
“I’ve only felt really good haunting here,” replied Regnitz of the place that has hosted the likes of The Marx Brothers, Williams Jennings Bryant and John Philip Sousa.
Shelley Jones is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.
