NEW SEASON 2003 In Clifton Opera House
Clay Street at SR 343, Clifton, OH 45316

The Old Clifton Opera House

The Clifton Opera House was built in 1893 at the cost of $2,909.00; originally design as a theater, it had an inclined floor and seating for four hundred people.  In it’s early years it hosted minstrel shows, traveling shows, town meetings, civic and school events.  In later years it was used mainly for school activities and later yet as village offices for a short period of time and when they moved out it stood vacant for a period of time and would most likely have been torn down after the roof caved in the mid 1980’s if the township had been able to afford the demolition cost.  At that time Howard Printz, a long time resident, former councilman and president of the Clifton Historical Society was appointed to oversee the building and after repairs had started, through donations, he persuaded the village to lease the building to the Historical Society.  Since then many repairs and upgrades have been completed, which includes air-conditioning and a modern sound system, converting it back into a theater; all done without tax money, public funds or grants.  Money is raised by presenting weekly entertainment that includes a variety of bands, vaudeville shows and theatrical productions all put on by volunteer members of the Historical Society with all proceeds go to the restoration and maintenance of the building.  For the past fifteen years they have been presenting a good deal of jazz among their offerings to bring American cultural entertainment to the public each season from March through December. 

Saturday, July 31, 2004 at the Clifton Opera House:

On this evening Rosemary and I made a long but straightforward drive from Brookville to Clifton for our first visit to the opera house.  Our first time even though we’ve carried their events on our calendar for years; our first time for a number of reasons but since Rosemary’s retirement we’ve been trying to branch out and they were on our hit list of places we want to visit.  So when Bob Brewster called and extended a personal invitation we thought the time had come;

knowing my buddy Rick Evans was to appear there for his first time as well help to cement our decision.Rick Evans (vocals) and the Masters of Jazz consisting of Jim Smith (guitar), Vinnie Marshall (bass), Lee McKinney (drums) and special guest Scott Belck (trumpet) put on a marvelous performance for a very appreciative audience of around one hundred & fifty.  Some of our areas finest put me to thinking of Billy Extine and Harry James, just a feeling of what it must have been like.