Woodstock Musical Theatre Company
The Woodstock Musical Theatre Company, founded in 1974, is a not-for-profit corporation established to provide local talent the opportunity to offer artistic theatrical productions for the viewing pleasure of area residents and to promote community theatre as an art form. A resident company of the beautiful Woodstock Opera House, a national historic landmark, WMTC is run by an eleven member Board of Directors and annually produces four productions, including the holiday Musical Sensation "Nuncrackers” featuring the Sisters from Hoboken. In addition to this annual production, the 2006-07 season includes the recently off Broadway musical Annie Warbucks, the Neil Simon comedy The Sunshine Boys and the small-town rock n' roll musical Pump Boys and Dinettes.
History
The Woodstock Opera House was built in 1890 to house City Hall, the public library, the fire department, and an auditorium. The Opera House has been at the core of community service in this area since its construction. The Opera House established itself immediately as a community center of education, cultural and civic activities that addressed a broad range of area needs, including literacy and research, forums for public discourse, artistic and cultural development, as well as public safety.
In addition to its more practical uses, the Opera House became McHenry County’s center for entertainment and hospitality. Touring dramatic companies provided diversion for area residents and business people. Farmers’ wives chatted among themselves in the "parlour" while their husbands attended market in the Square. Later, the Opera House became the site for the Chicago-area’s first summer stock theatre. In 1934 Shakespeare plays produced by Roger Hill, starred Orson Welles - then a student at Woodstock’s Todd School for Boys.
In 1947, a group of citizens formed and supported the Woodstock Players. The Woodstock Players provided acting experience for students graduating from the Goodman School. Now-famous personalities such as Paul Newman, Tom Bosley, Betsy Palmer, Geraldine Page, Shelley Berman and Lois Nettleton were among them.
After more than 80 years of continuous operation and service the Opera House was in dire need of repair. A combined private and public effort resulted in the restoration of the Opera House. McHenry County citizens created the Woodstock Opera House Community Center, Inc. to work with the City of Woodstock in raising funds for the interior restoration. The restored Opera House reopened in February, 1977 after two years’ work and a $500,000 investment. The building was renamed the Woodstock Opera House Community Center to honor the interest and generosity of the many individuals, businesses, community organizations, corporations and foundations which provided nearly two-thirds of the necessary funds.
A spectacular variety of programming is produced or hosted by the Woodstock Opera House. Community theatre, concert series, special events, and children’s activities are included in a year-round schedule of entertainment and educational opportunities provided by the resident companies and organizations. Community individuals, organizations, and businesses use the meeting facilities for activities ranging from film presentations to lectures. A visual arts exhibition series features the work of regional artists in a full spectrum of media.
The Woodstock Opera House is owned and proudly maintained by the City of Woodstock as a service to the public.
