!!!!SPRING MUSICAL!!!!

Honk!

Performance Dates April 13th, 14th & 15th, 2012

Based on Hans Christian Andersen's "The Ugly Duckling", “Honk!” tells the story of an odd looking baby duck, Ugly, and his quest to find his mother.

Soon after Ugly is born, he is seduced away by a wily Cat who wants to eat Ugly for dinner. Eventually, Ugly manages to escape but has no idea how to return home.

Along his way, he encounters a beautiful swan, Penny, tangled in a fishing line.

After saving her, the two birds fall in love. However, she must return to her flock and fly south for the winter. Eventually, Ugly’s mother finds him frozen in snow.

Luckily, her warm tears manage to thaw him out and he comes back to life – as a handsome swan! Soon, Ugly is reunited with Penny and the two swans decide to live the rest of their days in the same pond as Ugly’s loyal mother.

Auditions - January 30th and 31st, 2012 @ 6:00pm

Come ready to sing.  If you have something prepared please bring the sheet music.  

Rehearsals Start February 13th

Call or e-mail the Newport Opera House for more information

or to schedule an audition time.

(Please check the call board for character decription and plot synopsis )

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TAKE YOUR THEATRE MEMORIES

HOME WITH YOU!

Celebrate Community Theatre at the Newport Opera House with this special, limited edition, book of memories

from OLIVER! to OUR TOWN. This beautiful, full color, collection of production photos,

back stage candid shots, set renderings, quotes and letters from cast and crew pays tribute to the contributions of

Charles H. Massey

and his work for the Newport Opera House Association.

It’s all about you---so own your very own copy.

$20.00 Each

This book is underwritten by the Roy Malool Foundation.

On sale in the lobby of the Opera House and at the Reception on Sunday, November 20th.

Books may also be purchased by calling the Box Office at (603) 863-2412.  

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N.O.H.A. announces new Executive Director

The Board of Directors of the Newport Opera House Association is pleased to announce the appointment of Todd Hjelt as the new Executive Director for the Newport Opera House Association.  Mr. Hjelt will replace the current Executive Director, Charles H. Massey when he retires in November.  Mr. Massey has been with the organization since 2004, and is responsible for spearheading the campaign to restore the historic Opera House in 1974.

Todd Hjelt is no stranger to the Newport Opera House, having appeared as Albert Peterson in BYE BYE BIRDIE and as Mortimer Brewster in ARSENIC AND OLD LACE.  He first worked with the organization when he appeared in GEORGE WASHINGTON SLELPT HERE.  Todd, his wife Holly and their son Finnegin, “Finn” moved to the area in 2009 from Jackson, Wyoming where he had been a resident artist in the Off Square Theatre Company.  He served as the Artistic Director and Producer of the Out of Thin Air Improvisational Troupe in Jackson as well.  His varied background has allowed him to work in all aspects of performance and management.  With a strong interest in improvisation, Todd would like to start a trope at the Opera House in the near future. 

For now, Todd is busy rehearsing OUR TOWN in which he will be playing the role of the stage manager.  This production will be Massey’s final production and Todd will be assisting him with the direction.  Massey sees the production as a “rite of passage in which the torch of community theatre is passed on to someone extremely talented and capable of guiding the organization to the next level.”  The production of the Thornton Wilder classic is scheduled for November 18, 19 and 20, 2011.

Todd is “excited to have the opportunity to work with such talented people in a community that supports the performing arts the way Newport does.”  “As an actor, there is nothing more exciting than looking out front and seeing a full house of excited patrons enjoying the show.”  He looks forward to meeting more of the residents now that he will have the time to be out front and in the office.  His new position is one that will take him out into the community as he works on membership and fundraising drives.   Prior to joining the N.O.H.A., Todd worked as the Events Sales Manager for the Common Man Inn in Claremont where he was named “Employee of the Year.”  He also has a background in banking, sales management and teaching.  Todd is a graduate of Pitzer College with a BFA in Performance Theatre.

David Hoyt, President of the N.O.H.A. speaks for the entire Board of Directors when he says, “We could not be more pleased to have Todd join us as our new Executive Director.”  While he has big shoes to fill, we are sure that he will be able to build on the strong foundation that Charles has built over the past years.  “We all wish Charles the best as he moves on to his new life on the Outer Banks of.. North Carolina.”  For the present, both Todd and Charles are busy working on the upcoming production of OUR TOWN.  What a perfect show to celebrate the changing of the guard and the 250th anniversary of Newport.

N.O.H.A Launches New Website

Following four months of construction, the Newport Opera House Association is proud to unveil its new and improved website. Designed by Laura Thompson, the new site is easier to navigate and much more user-friendly. It includes an expanded Photo Gallery of past productions and a more complete history of the Opera House complete with photos. The News Page will remain up-to-date with current listings and news stories. The Call Board Page will include all information for upcoming stage productions and will be the official posting for cast and crew. As you visit our website, you can learn more about the organization and become involved in the activities both as a patron and a volunteer. A special thank you goes out to the following people for making the new website possible: