In 1923, radio provided a new use for the Opera House as audiences could listen to concerts and lectures from around the country. As the popularity of movies increased, the attendance at live stage productions declined. For the next 30 years the Opera House was a busy place with dramatic performances, concerts, minstrel shows, vaudeville acts, dances, lectures, and political rallies. Other plays followed including “Uncle Tom’s Cabin” and “Peck’s Bad Boy”. The Rochester Courier lavished praise on this opening saying, “a large audience went home well pleased with the Opera House, the play, and the company … stage entirely up to date in all its appointments … splendid acoustic properties of the theatre were especially remarked upon.”

The first dramatic production was a play, “Miss Petticoats”, presented on September 4th, 1908 by a professional touring company. In 1938 income dropped to $788.97, but still exceeded the expenses of $700.01. In its opening year the expenses were $457.72 and its income was $980.16. The city ran the Opera House under the direction of the mayor and its income and expenses were part of the annual city budget. Other large expenses included $1835 for scenery, an asbestos curtain, and the purchase of two pianos. The seats, still in use today, cost $2463.87. The floor could be raised to slope for amphitheater seating or be lowered to be flat for dances.įurnishing City Hall included furnishing the Opera House. Adams, who designed many government and civic buildings, also patented a unique movable floor design. Designed by George Gilman Adams, the auditorium featured a horseshoe shaped balcony, grand proscenium, Victorian details, intricate stenciling, beautiful murals, and near perfect acoustics. In 1906, when money was appropriated for Rochester City Hall, the plans did include an auditorium.

Goodspeed opera house seating capacity