About Us
Board of Directors
Keith Bibelhausen ~ President |
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Janet Burrow ~ Member Carol Flynn ~ Member Hunter Fuerste ~ Member Steve Juergens - Member |
Andy Mozena ~ Member Mary Kay Pancratz - Member Mike Welbes - Member Kelly Ungs ~ Member James Urell ~ Member |
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Production Board
| Box Office - Chris Schmitz Concessions - Joan Mest Costumes - Gloria Fitzpatrick House Manager - Helen Kilburg |
Makeup - Becky Heil Playreading - Hunter Fuerste Props - Lynda Eigenberger Publicity - Megan Gloss Volunteer Coordinator - Jill Keck |
History
Dubuque's historic Grand Opera House is the oldest and most "grand" of more than 16 legitimate theaters which served the community prior to 1900. Theater historians say between 1839 and 1890 Dubuque saw more "big" shows than any other city of comparable size in the United States. Dubuque was on "the biggest circuit" that brought the most famous names in 19th century show business, including the greatest American and European Opera stars.
On August 14, 1890 the opening night audience thrilled to a professional touring company production of Bizet's "Carmen" with a cast of 65 plus full orchestra. For more than 3 decades tri-state audiences thrilled to shows starring many of the most famous in theater including Al Jolson, George M. Cohan, Ethel Barrymore, Lillian Russell, Sarah Bernhardt and a young Henry Fonda.
National touring companies brought the best of the era to the Grand including a legendary production of "Ben Hur" that featured live horses and chariots on a treadmill. A sandstorm was staged for "The Garden of Allah". The Boston Opera Company came for a week and produced a different opera every night. Legendary pianist Ignace Paderewski thrilled audiences and John Phillip Sousa's US Marine Band was a major hit. Johann Strauss and his orchestra from Vienna played to a packed house and rave reviews.
Touring minstrel shows were always popular, but newspaper reviews and playbills of the day reveal a wide variety of attractions including the legendary "Cherry Sisters" (Effie, Addie and Essie) a notorious trio billed as "The World's Worst Act". Their appearance in Mid-May of 1893 filled the theater with mostly male patrons who came to boo, hiss and throw things at the performers. Although theater management placed 7 security officers throughout the auditorium things got out of control when a wash boiler was passed into the balcony from the alley and then hurled onto the stage. Present day audiences who don't like a performance are considerably more polite.
During this era, the auditorium included a 2nd balcony and four large theater boxes that created a seating capacity of 1,100.
The Grand installed a "fly-in" screen in 1915 and began showing silent films with piano or small orchestra accompaniment. During the next 13 years movie revenue soared and live theater receipts diminished. When "Ladies of the Jury" closed March 14, 1928 the first era of live theater was over. From opening night to 1928 The Grand hosted more than 2,600 live performances.
In 1930 the theater was "stripped to the frame" and rebuilt as a movie house. The 2nd balcony and four glamorous box seats were removed leaving just 681 of the original 1,100 seats. The orchestra pit was covered over and the semi-circular stage front flattened. The "fly space" for sets above the stage was shut off. A massive air ventilation system filled the rehearsal rooms below the stage. Two large fireproof projection rooms replaced the 2nd floor dressing rooms and hall area that had served the upper balcony. A screen and sound equipment were installed, The Grand Opera House became The Grand Theater and a new era had begun. After 1930 theatrics of another kind continued, however, as live wrestling matches were also presented on stage.
For the next 50 years Dubuque enjoyed the best of Hollywood from the same stage where the greats of live theater once performed. Although popcorn is considered a staple of movie theater "food", it wasn't sold at The Grand until 1947 when a new concession stand was added to the lobby.
During the "movie era" ownership of the Grand also acquired The Strand at 12th and Main, The State at 10th and Main, the Avon near 9th and Main and The RKO Orpheum at 4th and Main (now Five Flags Theater). The Grand and Orpheum were usually home to first run "A" films, while the other screens showed more B feature double bills. One by one the movie houses passed into history. 
The State and Strand both burned to the ground. And the Avon was closed when JC Penny purchased the property for expansion. By the early 70s only The Grand and Orpheum remained. Civic leaders saved the Orpheum from the wrecking ball and it was subsequently renovated and renamed as "Five Flags Theater".
After operating as a $1.00 3rd run movie house for a time, The Grand closed in the mid-80s and remained vacant until purchased by The Barn Community Theater in 1986. On August 15, 1986, 94 years after the opening night performance of "Carmen", a second era of live theater began at The Grand with a production of the musical "TinTypes". The theater group was organized by high school theater instructor Sue Riedel and fellow thespians in 1972. Their productions were staged in a barn at Flora Park in Dubuque for many years. A governing board of directors was established and fund raising for much needed renovations began almost immediately. Since then more than 225 comedies, dramas and musicals have delighted Grand Theater audiences. The theater has also welcomed many touring shows, musical acts, school, business and civic events.
In 2001 The Grand was named to the National Register of Historic Places. Its architectural style is Richardsonian Romanesque which was becoming stylish at the end of the 18th century. The style is named for Henry Hobson Richardson, whose masterpiece is Trinity Church, Copley Square, Boston, Massachusetts. The Grand original architect was Willoughby J. Edbrooke, who supervised design of the U.S. Treasury as well as the old US Post Office in Washington, D.C. and the original Ellis Island Buildings. The facade consists of St. Louis brick facing with Bayfield red sandstone trim. Other Dubuque buildings imitating the style include the nearby Security Building at 8th & Main, Stout House at 11th & Locust, St. Luke's United Methodist Church at 12th & Main, Mt. Carmel Motherhouse overlooking the Mississippi on South Grandview, and The Dubuque Brewing and Malting Bldg. at 30th & Jackson.
As 21st century audiences relax and enjoy productions in this beautifully renovated theater, the heritage and traditions of past generations of actors, musicians, choreographers, costumers, stage hands, set designers and managers will live on.
Written and researched by Paul Hemmer (2006)
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