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Ariel-Ann Carson Dater Performing Arts Centre

Heritage Ohio’s 2024 Historic Theatre of the Year Award

The Heritage Ohio Logo with stylized colorful shape of Ohio with a photo of the Ariel Opera House below shown with the marquee announcing the award.The Ariel-Ann Carson Dater Performing Arts Centre
Home of the Ohio Valley Symphony
Gallipolis

On Tuesday evening, October 15th, Heritage Ohio held their 2024 Annual Awards ceremony at the Midland Theatre in Newark, Ohio, as the opening of their annual conference. Over 100 nominations were received for 11 awards. The awards honor Ohio’s best projects, places and people who create lasting impacts through historic preservation and community revitalization.

This year’s award for the Historic Theatre of the Year Award was presented to the Ariel-Ann Carson Dater Performing Arts Centre in Gallipolis.

The Historic Theatre of the Year Award is presented to the historic theatre, opera house or cinema which most embodies the spirit of historic preservation.

The Ariel Opera House, built in 1895 by the Ariel Oddfellows Lodge and designed by the state architects Packard and Yost, originally featured two street-level storefronts, a banquet hall and parlors on the second floor and a lodge room on the third floor. After changing hands several times, the Gallia Masonic Lodge acquired it in 1919, adding another storefront, a ballroom and expanded facilities in 1930. While the front portion of the building remained in use, the theatre portion closed in the mid-1960’s and fell into disrepair. Local professional musician, Lora Lynn Snow, attracted by the spectacular acoustics of the abandoned opera house, began efforts to restore it in 1987 for use by The Ohio Valley Symphony she wanted to form. With community support, the Ariel was restored preserving the original architecture such as golden oak woodwork and ornamental plaster while bringing it up to code. A Grand Re-Opening was held June 9, 1990.

In 2005, Mrs. Ann Carson Dater purchased the building and gave it to The Ohio Valley Symphony for their home in perpetuity. Subsequent work included installing energy efficient windows, a new elevator, upgraded HVAC, plaster repair and painting and a new marquee.

In 2014 the Box Office was restored recreating the original 1895 aesthetic at the street level. In 2016 with the help of the League of Historic American Theatres, the original carpet was recreated and installed. Now restored to her former glamour, the Ariel retains the nineteenth century look, but boasts state-of-the-art amenities such as Wi-Fi throughout and is ADA accessible. The Ariel is recognized as one of the top 10 restored theatres in Ohio.

Heritage Ohio Prompts economic growth through the preservation and revitalization of downtowns and neighborhoods across Ohio. Heritage Ohio is the designated statewide Ohio preservation partner with the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Through saving the places that matter we can all build a community and live better. Learn more about how to get involved by visiting heritageohio.org.

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Ariel’s Merry TUBACHRISTMAS!

Poster for Tubachristmas December 13, 2025 showing a large tuba with a scarf emblazoned with "Tubachristmas" Join the fun at the ARIEL’S MERRY TUBACHRISTMAS!
December 13, 2025 at 2 pm
FREE CONCERT!

MERRY TUBACHRISTMAS is celebrating its 52nd Anniversary (1974-2025). Created by Harvey Phillips, MERRY TUBACHRISTMAS 2025 will be presented in over 300 cities throughout the United States and in several foreign countries. TUBACHRISTMAS ensembles may attract participants aged 8 to over 90 years! The warm, rich organ-like sound of tuba-euphonium choir has won the ears and hearts of every audience!

Come and Listen 100% FREE!
TUBACHRISTMAS is 100% FREE for audience members who just want to come into our hall and experience the event. No tickets are necessary. It’s sure to be loads of fun, and will get you in the Christmas Spirit! Always the second Saturday in December at 2 pm.

Participate $10-OR-
Join in the Fun and PLAY ALONG!

Pre-Register to Participate Today!

Bring your Tuba, Baritone, Euphonium, or other big brass buddy and join in the fun at the Ariel Theatre! Participants pay  $10 to participate and will receive a 2024 commemorative button! Plus there are lots of souvenirs and music books available for purchase! Register at the door, or save time and Pre-Register here and we’ll have everything ready for you when you arrive!

Registration begins at 10:30am ~ Rehearsal begins at 11:00am

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It’s a Wonderful Life, A Live Radio Play by Joe Landry

Poster for It's a Wonderful Life, a Live Radio PlayDecember 21, 2024 at 4:00 p.m. &
December 22, 2024 at 4:00 p.m.
TICKETS AVAILABLE NOW!

The historic Ariel Opera House presents for two performances the Ariel Players in It’s a Wonderful Life, A Live Radio Play by Joe Landry.

Inspired by the classic American film It’s a Wonderful Life, It’s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play is performed as a 1940s live radio broadcast in front of a studio audience. Five actors perform the dozens of characters in the radio play as well as produce the sound effects. It’s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play premiered in 1996 at Stamford Center for the Arts in Stamford, Connecticut, and has since been produced around the country to critical acclaim.

Premium seats are available for Rows A-F. Group of 10 or more tickets get 10% off!

Door open 3:30 p.m. Play starts at 4:00. No food or drinks permitted in the auditorium.

Produced by special arrangement with Broadway Licensing. www.BroadwayLicensing.com

Bringing Frank Capra’s classic film to the stage began almost twenty years ago when longtime friend and teacher Frances Kondziela asked me to pen an adaptation for her high school ensemble. After the premiere of this original incarnation, the piece was produced by TheatreWorks in New Milford, CT, and was then chosen for its first professional production at the legendary Westport Country Playhouse. When the budget of this (still full-scale, literally putting the film on stage) production skyrocketed and was dropped from the slate, the concept of staging the piece as a live radio play of the period was born. This radio play adaptation was originally mounted at Stamford Center for the Arts in 1996, and has been performed there since with great success. It was at Stamford that the play was fine tuned and took shape as the piece published here.

Through word of mouth alone, productions have since taken place around the country, including the noted Chicago premiere at American Theatre Company. My thanks to all those who have been involved since the beginning of the this journey, including Frances Kondziela, Jim McKenzie, Julie Monahan, George Moredock, Doug Moser, Jane Desy, Barbara Meyer, Cathy Mulligan, Kevin Connors, Colin Eastland, Achilles Tsakiridis, Doug and everyone at Playscripts.com and my loving and supportive parents, Paul and Mary, sister Hope and brother Tom. And thanks to you, dear reader, for your interest in retelling this timeless tale.

– Joe Landry (August 2006)

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Moxie Events presents FRESH HORSES, a Tribute to GARTH BROOKS

CANCELLED – FRIDAY August 25, 2023
Evening at 7:30 p.m.

MOXIE EVENTS HAS CANCELLED THIS PERFORMANCE DUE TO UNFORESEEN CIRCUMSTANCES.

Ticket Refunds will be be automatically processed through Etix.  Please allow 5 days for processing and email the Box Office if you have any questions.

Moxie Events Logo

 

 

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