History of the Opera House: Stars align for renovation
After a decade of in-fighting and litigation, the stars finally aligned for the Opera House. On March 30, 1982, the headline of the Cheboygan Tribune read, “Opera House building activity begins again.” The final lawsuit between Tom Shaw and the City of Cheboygan, reached “an amicable agreement” through arbitration. Staff writer for the Cheboygan Tribune Linda Norlock wrote, “City Manager William E. Chlopan said Shaw will complete Phase II of the Opera House construction for which he will be paid $12,354 for completion of the contract. The stage will then be set for the beginning of Phase III — when the grant money is found.” Stage III would finish the Opera House, included air conditioning, a sound system, lighting, seating, stage rigging, curtains, and painting.
Finding the grant money fell to Chlopan. Chlopan’s three-part plan included applications to the Economic Development Administration, the Upper Great Lakes Block Grant and a loan from the Farmers’ Home Administration. He also applied to the Kresge Foundation, but due to the volume of applications received by the group, he warned, “that’s kind of like a shot in the dark.”
Chlopan had a vision for the Opera House. “Chlopan sees the theater as a leading lady in a far grander production ... to bring jobs to Cheboygan through increased tourism. Chlopan envisions a summer stock theater group performing in Cheboygan and visitors from Mackinaw City and Mackinac Island traveling to view the Cheboygan performances,” Norlock wrote. Busing tourists in for the shows would unleash them on downtown Cheboygan for dining and shopping, an immediate cash gain.
Townspeople shared Chlopan’s enthusiasm for completing the Opera House project.
Sue Conboy was a member of the Northland Players and an advocate for Opera House restoration in the 1970s and '80s. She saw the restoration process from a front row seat. “I had heard about the Opera House but it was already closed when we moved to town. People told me how important it had been to the community, a venue for plays, dance and music recitals, graduations, concerts, travelogs and other activities. At some point, Northland Players donated $1,000 for a feasibility study to determine if the grand old theater could be saved. Then, many of NP members and their families, including my young children, were allowed into the theater to clean, dust, and sweep the stage. We prepared for tours to help people see the possibilities of restoring this gem and be committed to vote for an upcoming millage. The millage passed, renovations began, and the Northland Players pledged another $5,000 for the restoration.”
But when funds got tight due to the discovery of structural damage and the extra cost it entailed, progress stopped. “Having enough money to complete the project was a worry because the city offices, police and fire station were also part of the building and were first to be addressed,” Conboy said.
Conboy’s entire family was part of the restoration process, and her husband, attorney Jim Conboy, was a member of the City of Cheboygan Building Authority that oversaw the Opera House renovation. The building authority also included Phillip Leege, William Chlopan, Jeanette Bronson, and Andrew Henderson.
Conboy recalls the huge effort the citizens of Cheboygan made to finish the Opera House. “Fundraisers were held. Seats were “sold” and plaques were installed with the donor’s name. We purchased seats for our three children. We also chose an original brick wall in a backstage stairwell to honor our fathers, James C. Conboy, Sr. and Robert F. Hay.”
An estimated $450,000 was needed to finish the Opera House. The Cheboygan Opera House Fundraising Committee, led by Chairman James Crusoe, kicked off a fundraising drive. The goal was to raise $200,000 to help match grants brought in by the city. The drive kicked off in July of 1982 with an Open House followed by another in Octorber. Individuals and businesses pledged tax deductible donations. Donations were also made as memorials to the deceased.
“We feel it is important for us to finish this impressive building; it can bring new culture and economic growth the Cheboygan as a facility for meetings, concerts, local theater performances, school functions, summer stock and a host of other community activities,” Crusoe said. “The boost that the Opera House will give to the tourism business, the improved public image and increased civic pride are well worth our support.”
The fundraising drive succeeded immediately, with $65,000 pledged from donors before the drive had officially started. But the best was yet to come.
To be continued ...
— Kathy King Johnson is former executive director of the Cheboygan Opera House.
This article originally appeared on Cheboygan Daily Tribune: History of the Opera House: Stars align for renovation
