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

December 20, 2025 at 4:00 p.m. &
December 21, 2025 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

Maestro for a Moment FUN-draiser 2025

The Ariel-Ann Carson Dater Cultural & Performing Arts Centre and The Ohio Valley Symphony are 501(c)3 nonprofit organizations, Federal Tax ID# 31-1273779

Congratulations to Cindy Sexton, Executive Director of French Art Colony, the 2025 Maestro for a Moment! The Maestro for a Moment Fundraiser is one of the highlights of The Ohio Valley Symphony’s season for both audience and orchestra! Each season’s three candidates vie for the opportunity to conduct the orchestra during the The Christmas Show in a rousing rendition of Sleigh Ride! Thank you to this year’s candidates are Gallia Co. Prosecutor Jason Holdren; Peoples Bank Branch Manager Chris Nida; and French Art Colony Executive Director Cindy Sexton for making this year’s fundraiser a success.

Click “Read More” to learn more about our candidates!

The Magic of Motown Live!

NOVEMBER 22, 2025
Evening at 7:30 p.m.
Purchase Tickets Now

Moxie Events presents and brings to the stage The Magic of Motown!

This high energy homage to the legends  of Motown will transport you back in time as you visit the very best of “Hitsville, USA!” The show features a cast of power-house vocalists who embody everyone from Diana Ross & The Supremes to Marvin Gay, The Four Tops, and the The Jackson Five! The show has received rave reviews and sold out theaters throughout its highly acclaimed tour. A highlight of the show includes an extensive set of all your favorite “Temptations” choreography and songs.

Accompanied by a five-piece band, their songbook delivers all of your favorite hits like, “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough to Midnight Train to Georgia.” Creative Director Ms. Martha Brogden, whose credits include the national tour of Dreamgirls and the highly acclaimed Legends of Jazz, describes the show as “simply dynamic and loaded with talent.”

“This music has transcended generations and will continue to do so. There is something magical about Motown and we’re happy to bring it to The Ariel Opera House,” said Jennifer Saul Campbell of Moxie Events, the shows production company. 

Premium seats are available for Rows A-F and Row AA and BB in the balcony. Group of 10 or more tickets get 10% off!

Evening: Door open 7:00 p.m. Concert starts at 7:30.
This is a Moxie Events Production.

2025 Gallipolis River Rec Pageants

In association with the Gallia County Chamber of Commence…

JUNE 7, 2025
PURCHASE TICKETS HERE

LITTLE MISS/MR. PAGEANT
Pageant at 1:00 pm, ticket prices $7-$10, doors open at 8:30pm

GALLIPOLIS RIVER REC QUEEN PAGEANT
Pageant at 6:00 pm, ticket prices $10-$18, doors open at 5:30pm

Join us in celebrating the accomplishments of Gallia County youth and purchase your tickets today!

Helping contestants to grow their self-confidence while preparing them for their future what the Chamber’s River Rec program is all about. Our Royalty will have the opportunity to represent Gallia County while visiting fairs and festivals; all while learning social and public speaking skills.

VIP seats are available for Rows A-F.
This is a Gallia Co. Chamber of Commerce production.

For more information visit the River Rec Pageants website.

Be sure to visit the local Gallipolis sponsors of this fantastic community event!
Baskets Delight • El Toril Mexican Restaurant
God’s Hands at Work • J&J Gowns and Tuxedos
University of Rio Grande

Only bottled water is permitted in the historic auditorium, no food or other beverages.

Gallia All-County Elementary Choir

March 28, 2025 at 6:30 p.m.
FREE ADMISSION No ticket needed

Join the historic Ariel Opera House in welcoming to the stage the Gallia All-County Elementary Choir.

Music director Beth Fowble will lead students from Addaville Elementary, Green Elementary, Hannan Trace Elementary, Ohio Valley Christian School, Rio Grande Elementary, Southwestern Elementary, Vinton Elementary, Washington Elementary, and area Homeschools.

Enjoy selection several selections including A Million Dreams, Siyahamba, September, and more!

Door open 6:00 p.m. Performance starts at 4:00. No food or drinks permitted in the auditorium.

Sponsored by the Ariel Opera House, Tuscany Italian Restaurant, and Gallia Vinton ESC.

Heritage Ohio’s 2024 Historic Theatre of the Year 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.

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.