Issue 4 - The Sorg Opera House - April 2019
Backstage
Annual Sorg Fundraiser Highlights April Concerts
Ellington Birthday Concert April 27th

Cincinnati's famed Blue Wisp Big Band will swing the Sorg with the sounds of Duke Ellington April 27th.
 
We couldn’t find a better big band celebrate Duke's birthday for our 2 nd annual fundraiser.
 
The event features a VIP pre-event and after party hosted by  The Swire Inn  and  Rolling Mills Brewery , plus more surprises during the concert! 40’s and 50’s attire (not mandatorystrongly encouraged.
The money raised supports on-going renovations at the historic Sorg Opera House. The concert has grown this year thanks to a large list of sponsors notably our major sponsor, Premier Health Atrium Medical Center.
 
“We are truly thankful for each of our wonderful sponsors." said Sorg's Denise Brodsky. "Their support is what gives us the inspiration to continue our efforts to bring the SORG back to its glory." More information, concert and event package tickets are available right here:
 
See the Legends: Lil' Ed & the Blues Imperials!
One of the biggest names in contemporary Blues is coming to the Sorg on Friday, April 26 th .  We welcome Lil’ Ed & the Blues Imperials playing not just any blues but, as the Chicago Tribune writes, “Electrifying, raucous, pure Chicago blues.” Living Blues magazine cites this band as “Rough and ready blues played with unmitigated intensity . . . scorching and soulful, joyous and stomping.” If you’ve seen them once you want to see them again.
There is no doubt this will be a fun, fun night.


Bringing The Theater Back to Life
Work continues inside the Sorg’s theater thanks to grant by the  Middletown Community Foundation .
 
"There has been a lot of behind the scenes work accomplished across the past few months with the electric and HVAC systems being installed," said Sorg's Chuck Miller. "We always want to work on the theater's details and this was a great opportunity."
Crews from D&M Custom Painting and Home Repairs inspected and repaired holes in the ceiling of the theater that was constructed in 1871.
 
The work included removing several remaining pieces of drop ceiling attached to box seating tops.
 
"When you are so close to the ceiling looking down onto the theater and following the trim along the walls above the second balcony, you see all the wonderful detailing that once was," said Dawn Wamsley from D&M.
 
"It's a feeling of stepping back in time. Simply breathtaking."
 
Wamsley hopes the improvements will not only restore that part of the theater, but add to future performances.
 
Crews painted the detailed facade of first and second floor balconies with five colors of beautiful metallic accent colors silver, gold, copper, royal, and black covering every curve and pattern as it stretched from one end to the other, following to the fruitful garland, finishing up with decorative trim.
The meticulous work included eight color combinations to re-discover the intricate beauty that has always been there. 
The meticulous work included eight color combinations to re-discover the intricate beauty that has always been there. 
 
"The size of the cartouche was beautiful especially from the lift 40-feet in the air." said Wamsley. "The detailing is amazing , t he leaflets and pearl's outline the center focal point."
 
The latest work by D&M showcased the craftsmanship and history the Sorg Opera Revitalization Group is working to preserve.
 
 "It turned out just the way we thought, beautiful," said Miller.
 
Crews also were able to repair the theatre box tops on both the left and right stage seating areas.
 
"Donations are the back bone of this project," added Miller.
 
"We thank the Middletown Community Foundation for their continued support of the Sorg Opera House project."
 
The latest update would not have been completed without the foundation's support.
Sorg Restoration Work Continues
C rews needed a lot of scaffolding and a lift to get into position for the repairs and painting upgrades.
 
The roof and ceiling work remains a major piece of the restoration project at the Sorg.
 
The timing of the painting project worked well with the HVAC and electrical installation in recent months.
 
Many of the lower level seats, which were donated by Music Hall, were removed to allow room for the lift.
 
Please notice the detail and history of craftsmanship the next time you are in the theater to see a performance.
 
The Board has received estimates between $8-17 million dollars to complete the renovations .
 
Stay tuned! We hope big things will happen as you support the Sorg's Renovation process in 2019.
Two Great Shows in one weekend

Lil' Ed & The Blues Imperials
The band’s big sound will perform deep blues string bending, rough-edged, and soulful sound that is known as hard-hitting Chicago blues. 
April 26
Showtime 8 p.m. - 11 p.m.

Duke Ellington Celebration and Fundraiser
Sponsored by  Premier Health Atrium Medical Center
The second annual Sorg fundraiser paying tribute to Duke Ellington through the famed Cincinnati Blue Wisp Big Band. 
VIP packages starting at $70  
April 27
Showtime 8 p.m. - 11 p.m.
The Avalons
Sponsored by Christine Lohr
The great harmonies and choreography of the Top 40's Golden Era comes to life for a fun evening of walking down memory lane. 
May 4
Showtime 8 p.m. - 11 p.m.

Cincinnati Contemporary Jazz Orchestra
The big band will feature the music of Charles Mingus, Cannonball Adderley, Ray Charles and Earth Wind & Fire. 
May 17
Showtime 8 p.m. - 10 p.m.

Ann Hampton Callaway - Linda Ronstadt Song Book
The Tony Award nominee will perform a night of songs and stories in celebration of Linda Ronstadt. 
May 30
Showtime 7:30 p.m. - 10:30 p.m.
Goals for the Sorg Theater
We have documented in previous newsletters - The Sorg Opera Revitalization Group has received estimates ranging from $8-million to nearly $17-million dollars needed for restoration work on this historic jewel box of a theater..

The Sorg Board of Directors has spent the last year meeting with various groups and agencies that would help restore the theater.
Our meetings range from agencies like the Model Group to Ignite Philanthropy. Some of the groups helped Music Hall, or various other projects in Over-The-Rhine and beyond.

We hope to launch a fundraising drive in 2019. The reality is to raise the millions, we need thousands to get started.

The Sorg needs a $55,000 retainer to craft and launch the campaign. We currently are $15,000 short of that total. We welcome private, foundation and corporate donors to this effort.
 
We will use the funds to work with fundraising professionals who know and specialize in working with historic properties.
The Sorg Opera Revitalization Group's Goals for 2019

Our goals are to:

  • preserve the Historic Sorg Theater. and commercial building,
  • reach that $55,000 total to create the capital campaign,
  • contribute to the amazing work by our community in the downtown corridor,
  • create a vibrant space for entertainment to attract visitors to our community,
  • provide a world class space for the arts in our town.
 



Our Pledge to You
 
We promise to be wise stewards of your donation.
 
We promise to put your donation directly to work within the Sorg Opera House complex
Did you know?


Did you know  the Sorg Opera House management and operations are 100% volunteer driven?
 
Did you know  the Sorg Opera House is a non-profit organization?
 
Did you know  that 90% of Sorg volunteers have ties to Middletown?
 
We have grown up here, started businesses here or spent significant time in our community.
 
Did you know  you could help? Simply support us. Buy a  ticket  to a show,  volunteer , follow us on  social media , visit our  website .
 
If you can donate, great. No dollar amount is too small.
 
We are thankful and humbled by those that have helped us to this point. Specifically the local businesses that partner with us today and granting agencies like, The Middletown Community Foundation, Premier Health/Atrium Medical Foundation, the Nippert Foundation, the Ohio Facilities Construction Corporation and many others.
 
The Sorg would not be open without them or you.
 
The Sorg Opera House is moving forward in 2019 and we would love for you to join us on the journey.


The Sorg Opera Revitalization Group Board of Directors
Bravo Bishop Fenwick High School
Standing Ovation for Beauty & The Beast
The Sorg Opera House welcomed Bishop Fenwick High School's production of Disney Beauty And The Beast in March. 

The high school production drew more than 1200 patrons to the four shows the final weekend of the month.

"You could tell how much effort and heart they
put into the production." said Sorg's Chuck Miller. "I know our staff thoroughly enjoyed having the cast and crew here for the weekend."

The Spring Theater production featured about fifty-five students, including about thirty-five cast members, fifteen production crew members, five technical crew members and a handful of parents.

The Sorg's Facebook page received dozens of comments from the community supporting the production. Visit our FB page for the pictures uploaded from the performance.

Bravo! Job well done.
Volunteer at the Sorg

The Sorg Opera Revitalization Group is working to preserve the historical building designed by Samuel Hannaford & constructed in 1981.

We seek skilled craftspeople, those willing to learn and those wanted to help host a show.

Join our team of volunteers. Email today!
Connect with the Sorg Opera House

click the links to go to the page





More pictures from Fenwick's Performance: Above: the cast celebrates the last dress rehearsal. Below: The stage crew with last minute touch up work to the sets, so good we wanted to keep them!