"Camelot" Comes To Town To Support Opera House Restoration

Emlen Drayton & Del Long

Don't let it be forgot
That once there was a spot
For one brief shining moment
That was known as Camelot!

It was a festive evening, filled with good company, wine, and song. At a private estate in Portsmouth, overlooking what might have easily been mistaken for the Tuscan countryside, the Newport Performing Arts Center Opera House Theater Restoration Project held its late summer information cocktail party and fundraiser. The project’s mission is “providing Newport, Rhode Island with a 21st Century World Class, State-of-the-Art Theater.”

To give supporters a taste of things (hopefully) to come, the event committee arranged for actors from renowned Trinity Repertory Company in Providence to provide a sample performance of their upcoming production of "Camelot", the classic musical by Lerner and Loewe, reimagined as set in the 1940’s.

Performers Joe Wilson Jr. &

Rebecca Gibel, Musical Director Curt Columbus

The Restoration Project invited many friends and supporters to the event, including Newport’s Mayor Jeanne-Marie Napolitano, RI Senate President Theresa Paiva-Weed, Jean Di Bona, Johnny Richmond, Brownie Warburton, Emlen and Liz Drayton, Jae French, Bart Dunbar, Stefani Hulitar, Coco Blaffer, Cynthia Gibson, Teddy Aspergren and Rob Bailey, Mohamad and Dorian Farzan, and Rod O’Hanley, among others.

As guests arrived, they were invited to sample passed hors d’oeuvres, which included some of the most massive cocktail shrimp (what an oxymoron!) that Newport Seen has seen to date, as well as drinks, lovely gourmet cheeses, and other delicacies. Del Long played soft jazz piano while attendees mingled inside or enjoyed the spectacular view from the outdoor veranda.

Jae French & Dominique Alfandre

After a time, Scott Mohon, Project Executive Director, and Alison Vareika, Board Chair, took the stage to share more about the project and its plans. As some islanders may know, the Opera House Theater, which most know today as a cinema multiplex in Washington Square, originally lived up to its name as a performing arts theater constructed in 1867. The Restoration Project intends to restore the building to its previous function, and its former historical and architectural glory, thereby transforming it into Aquidneck Island’s venue location for theater, dance, music, film, comedy, and other performing arts.

Dominique Alfandre and Mikki Ohlsen of Newport’s Island Moving Company attended to show their enthusiasm for the proposed renovations. Scott and Alison shared that the Newport City Council had officially declared August 25th “Newport Performing Arts Center Day” to help support the plan.

Alix Hood & Brownie Warburton

Curt Columbus, Trinity Rep Artistic Director since 2006, was then invited to say a few words about the organization and about "Camelot", and then introduced the songs for that night, performed by Rebecca Gibel as Guinevere and Joe Wilson Jr. as Lancelot. Songs included, “The Lusty Month of May,” “If Ever I Would Leave You,” and “I Loved You Once in Silence,” which the actors performed with great earnestness, spirit, vocal prowess and professionalism, causing the audience to applaud vigorously at the end.

Locals may have noticed that the Opera House is already no longer showing movies; it is time for a new chapter in this building’s life. Many say that a theater restoration will ignite a new era of arts and culture in Newport and the surrounding area, as well as resurrect an important and valued piece of the city’s history. To learn more or to see how you can get involved, please visit www.operahousetheater.org To purchase tickets for Camelot and other shows at the Trinity Repertory Theater, Providence, please visit www.trinityrep.com

-- Amanda M. Grosvenor