Opera House’s successes touted at Rotary meeting

Fresh on the heels of another great performance at the Grand Opera House of the South Monday night, Kim Gielen Gattle was the guest speaker at the Rotary Club of Crowley’s Tuesday meeting.

Monday, Dec. 9, the Halie Loren Trio performed to the delight of all in attendance and the jazz numbers help put everyone in the Christmas spirit.

“We try each year to have a Christmas performance,” said Gattle.

And before moving onto the remainder of the opera house’s season, Gattle reminded the Rotarians that the Chamber’s Business After Hours will be held Wednesday, Dec. 11, at the site.

Her focus then turned to 2014, which as she pointed out, the opera house has “quite a few things planned.”

In January, the Carmichaels’ children’s series concludes for the season with The Bucket Boys: “Wiggle to the Beat”. The performance will be held Sunday, Jan. 19, 2014. 

In February, the opera house’s season gets in full swing again with two performances, the first, on Monday, Feb. 10, will be from Broadway star Jordan Bennett, and the second, Friday, Feb. 21, is from The Official Blues Brothers Revue.

Gattle said that the revue is “probably the most anticipated” act so far. 

Sandwiched in between on Friday, Feb. 14, the opera house will hold its Valentine Soiree, a fundraiser for the opera house. The opera house event will take place from 7-11:30 p.m. and feature music by Louisiana Red and catering by Rice Palace.

Tickets  include buffet and a complimentary drink per person and a cash bar will also be available. Tickets are $75 per person or $100 per couple. Tables of eight are also available.

“It really is a fun event and gives the area something to do on Valentine’s Day,” said Gattle.

The season will come to a conclusion in April with The Alley Cats’ performance. That event will be held Monday, April 28.

As always, Gattle and the opera house have left March open for local drama groups to perform on the opera house stage. Thus, in March, Crowley High’s drama department will stage “Charlie & the Chocolate Factory” while Notre Dame will perform “Snow White & the Seven Dwarfs”.

Before concluding her time and opening the floor for questions and comments, Gattle reminded the Rotarians that tickets to the events at the opera house make great Christmas gifts and that a discount rate will be available for those wanting to bundle tickets for the final three stagings.

Interested parties should contact Gattle at the opera house, 785-0440. You can also call to make reservations for the Valentine Soiree or inquire about naming seats in honor of someone. 

Finally, any donations made to the opera house are tax deductible.

With that, several Rotarians took the opportunity to compliment the opera house on its continued great performances and its restored beauty. Several members of the Rotary Club have also donated their time as members of the opera house’s board of directors.

Alice Whiting, who used to give tours of famous landmarks in Crowley, pointed how the opera house is “a treasure we have in this city” and encouraged everyone to take in a performance and/or schedule a tour.

Lee Lawrence, the board’s new treasurer, encouraged Rotarians to get season tickets.