Step back in time features news items from The Daily Star 25 and 50 years ago.
25 years ago
June 29, 1987
SPRINGFIELD CENTER _ A rural community inaugurated America's newest opera house with brass fanfare, balloons, arias and applause Saturday, fulfilling a 12-year dream to create a home for the Glimmerglass Opera.
"You dream and you work, and you dream and you work, and you never believe it's going to happen until it does," said Beekman Cannon of Cherry Valley, chairman of the opera's development and building committees.
The company previously performed in the Cooperstown High School auditorium.
The new 920-seat Alice Busch Opera Theater was designed to be a small, intimate theater where an audience is close to performers and where young American signers may develop their voices and talent.
The Glimmerglass Opera opened its 1987 season with a performance of Tchaikovsky's "Eugene Onegin" Sunday.
The $5 million barn-like theater is next to Otsego Lake, eight miles north of Cooperstown on Route 80, on a 25-acre former turkey farm donated by Thomas Goodyear. A maroon, beige and grey interior was designed after traditional 18th and 19th century European opera houses.
50 years ago
June 29, 1962
COOPERSTOWN _ A slim and vivacious brunette is proving her ability on the boards of the Duke's Oak Theatre in Cooperstown.
Miss Monica Moran, 21, plays the coveted part of Susie Wong in the production "The World of Susie Wong," which premiered Tuesday evening.
The role of the Chinese girl in Hong Kong, a victim of the system and circumstances, is performed to perfection by Miss Moran.
Monica is the daughter of Thelma Ritter, the Hollywood and Broadway character actress, well known to millions of movie-goers and T.V. viewers.
A friend told her about Cooperstown and Duke's Oak and Miss Mary Ann Dentler, director.
"I heard so much about Miss Dentler and wanted very much to do a show under her tutelage and am happy that she directed me in the role of Susie Wong, where I am called upon to emote romantically. I feel so sorry for Susie and I hope that I can make the part believable."
Monica, who slightly resembles her famous mother, is looking forward to spending the summer in Cooperstown. "I have found it a charming town and I hope that I will get a chance to visit the museums and other sites here."
