The Abbeville Opera House – The Official State Theater of South Carolina

“Theater is a business. It is also an art. These stand not in opposition to each other, but hand in hand; the only reason for one is the existence of the other.:”

Michael Genevie – Executive Director of Abbeville Opera House

If you want to take a step back in history, all you have to do is open the doors to the Abbeville Opera House in Abbeville, South Carolina. When we walked into this theater, it was dimly lit but you could see how magnificent and grand this theater is. It is not a large theater but is designed with such style by William Augustus Edwards of the Edwards and Wilson architectural firm. This theater was opened in 1904 but dedicated in 1908. The large 7,500 square foot stage loomed in front of us. You are feel free to walk around and I walked on the stage to take pictures of the seats and balcony. The hours of operation at Monday through Friday from 10 to 2.

On either side of the balcony, there are four 20^th century boxes with 6 chairs in each. Each one is decorated with pictures, plants, and antique organs. There are 218 seats that have been meticulously redone and there is a balcony with 92 seats.

During the 20^th century there were many travel shows that went from New York to Richmond, and onto Atlanta. After their circuit, there whole troop would come to Abbeville on their way back to New York to spend the night. That is when they decided to build this theater so that they could be part of the circuit and have great shows. They built it and it worked. This was during the heyday of Vaudeville, Minstrel, and Burlesque Shows.

The Abbeville Opera House once known as “The Grand Old Theater” opened for its first show on October 10, 1908. From 1908 to 1913, this theater had 260 live performances. They had some very big name performers such as Fanny Brice, Jimmy Durante, and the Ziegfeld Follies that had preformed here as well as some not so well known talented performers. They still get stars to come and preform such as Harry Anderson, from the show Night Court, did a show here not long before he died. 

From 1914 to 1930, they used the Opera House to show over 3,250 motion pictures. It did remain a movie theater till the late 1950’s but they were loosing money and forced to close. In the 1950’s supporters of the Opera House under the direction of George W. Settles wanted to preserve live theater in upstate South Carolina. They reopened again in 1968 and it was fully restored with still the turn of the century character but with air conditioning and new seats that rocked.

This is the only remaining “hemp house” theater in South Carolina. They still use the same old rope pulled rigging system that was used in 1908.

The Opera House has a winter season and a summer season that is preformed by a professional touring theater company led by Michael Genevie who went on to become the Executive Director.

They have some great signs in the back of the theater that made us giggle. I believe Michael Genevie has a great sense of humor. You will have to read more about him and this historic building at: www.theabbevilleoperahouse.com. 

This is an amazing building and is really something to see. Please go see it if you are in Abbeville and check out their schedule for upcoming shows. They have some great ones listed. Joe and I plan to come back and see a show soon in this fabulous theater.