The Casino Theater concluded another season of its holiday production of “”Hometown Christmas” to a nearly full house this past weekend.
Holiday performances were held this past weekend at the Casino Theater in Vandergrift.
With more than 100 performers and productionists, the Hometown Christmas cast brought a variety of Christmas traditions to the stage that described the process through music and vignettes.
“To some, it means neatly wrapped presents, sweet smelling pine trees with glistening decorations,” Director Patti Donghia-Albert said. “To others, it means an opportunity to shop for gifts for relatives and friends… To still others, it means a time of renewing old acquaintances, a sharing of memories and hopes with loved ones.
“Do they represent the real meaning of Christmas? Where is it found? In angel choirs? The star? The shepherds? If in none of these places, then where?”
Donghia-Albert said they attempted to provide the answer to make the audience more aware of the meaning of Christmas.
Harriet and Bob Shoop has been married 71 years, and productions at the Casino Theater have been a part of their lives.
Bob and Harriet Shoop from North Apollo were one of hundreds of spectators that came to the Casino Theater for yesterday’s final performance for the season.
“We graduated from Vandergrift high school in the same class in 1946,” Bob said. Shortly after that, the two high school sweethearts married and have celebrated their 71st anniversary. “We’ve been to all the shows,” Bob continued. “We haven’t missed one yet.”
The Casino Theater has played a part of their lives from even before Harriet was born.
“My mother as a young person played the piano (at the theater), but that is years back before (I was born),” Harriet recalled.
The Shoops have been privileged to travel to many European nations during their lifetime. They also credited their love for golfing that keeps them as active seniors. They have no specific plans for the remainder of their lives together, but they intend to enjoy it, and they want the Casino Theater to be a part of it.
“We will go as long as we can and take what we can get,” they said.
For a theater that began in 1900, it has seen its share of notable people come through its doors. President William H. Taft, composer Hoagy Carmichael, cowboys Tex Ritter and Roy Rogers and even his horse Trigger made appearances. Actor James Stewart during his teen years visited his aunt in Vandergrift over the summers and helped the projectionist show some of the early films.
The theater closed in 1981 and remained vacant for 13 years. A handful of dedicated volunteers in 1992 began a campaign to renovate and save this historic structure. It was able to reopen in 1995 and has made steady improvements through the years because of the generosity of local business leaders and public support from the Alle-Kiski region.
One of the unique characteristics of the theater is its live orchestra pit. From the lower level in front of the stage and below the general seating area, talented local volunteer musicians made up one of the most incredible melodic accompaniments that rivaled orchestras in much larger cities. Elisa Hill, Orchestra Director and Arranger, showed her capabilities to bring musicians together from four different counties and conquer quite difficult compositions.
For more information on future performances or to rent the venue for a specific event, visit their website at www.casinotheater.org or call 724-681-6667.