On this morning’s Coffeebreak:
Rick’s guest was Roger Slade, of The Rohs Opera House.
Conversation on the theater began with Rick noting that he had went to a showing of National Treasure last night at the Opera House. The Rohs was fortunate enough to be on the initial wave of release for this film, allowing opportunity for our local citizenry to see a new release without making the trek out of town to pay prices that are double elsewhere. Rick commented on the comfort of the seating and atmosphere at the theater, which led into questions of the restoration work, and plans for The Rohs Opera House, and how the project began.
When asked how tough the decision to go into the entertainment business was, Roger responded by saying that it was really a quick and easy decision to make. Roger explained that one summer evening, after dining at a restaurant on the opposite side of the street, Roger looked over at The Rohs, and noticed what had been placed on the marquee. Text on the marquee read, “GOODBYE ROHS – WE’LL MISS YOU – THE ROHSIANS.” Later that night, Roger was talking to James and mentioned the sign, to which James responded by saying, “Well, why don’t we open it?” With that, Roger contacted Gerald Whalen, and asked about the building, and was informed that the theater had just gone into use by a local church. After keeping in contact with the Whalens and the church, he became aware of when the building became available; and Roger, James, and a few others set out to reopen the theater. Within two weeks, the theater held it’s grand re-opening on the day of the Taste of Harrison County. The largest obstacle was refinishing of the floor and replacement of seating.
Rick noted that he found the seating and spacing to be quite comfortable in comparison to how the seating had been previously. Roger explained tat when they placed the new seats (which had been donated to the theater’s previous owners/operators a year prior) they used himself and a friend (for templates of body types – one hefty guy and one tall guy) to arrange the seats for comfort. This little touch has led to many compliments on seating arrangement. On the note of seating, Rick asked Roger what the theater’s capacity is now, and how large the crowd for the Beatles tribute band (the largest crowd that the revamped Rohs has seen thus far) was. Roger stated that the theater has a capacity of 400, and that on the night that Eight Days a Week played, they had an estimate (rough estimate based on ticket sales plus the band’s guests) of 235 people in attendance. Roger has scheduled Eight Days a Week for another appearance in December of 2008, and is in the works of planning other live music performances in the near future. One request that he is in search for, requested by his wife, is a Queen tribute band.
Rick raised a question as to how the theater makes known times of shows and upcoming events. Roger explained that they use a system similar to that which had been used in the past, with the use of the poster boards in the foyer, the small marquee, and an answering machine. Roger did note that he has seen a picture of The Rohs with an actual marquee on the facade, and has found that it had been removed in the 1970’s. He is currently planning to place the marquee back on the building.
After the mid-show break, Rick asked Roger to speak on an interesting scenario which had taken place, and is continuing to happen. People from throughout the area, and even so far as Indiana, are coming to Cynthiana to experience The Rohs. The Ghost Walk had introduced several people in the area to the Opera House and the history and sights in Cynthiana. One group of people who were in the area ad heard of the tour, and attended. From that group an elderly couple has returned to Cynthiana, to see a movie, and stay at the Seldon Renaker Inn, one of the highlights from the tour. On their stay, they had also asked Roger of local restaurants within walking distance. This scenario has brought out-of-town monies to local business. While this might be the farthest distance money has traveled to be spent locally, countless numbers of people from surrounding communities are also coming to Cynthiana in order to view one of the few privately owned single screen theaters left in the state (which, according to rumor, also is the home of the second largest screen in the state–Roger has only heard this from numerous patrons and has yet to verify these claims).
Toward the end of this morning’s show, Roger announced that on the night of January 26, 2008, The Rohs will be showing Alfred Hitchcock’s Psycho. This will be a one night only showing, where the film is one of the few remaining original copies available from their supplier.
An interesting side-note was brought about when Rick asked Roger what would make James just up and say, “well, let’s open it back up,” and exactly how that friendship turned partnership had developed. Roger stated that the two had been childhood friends since the third grade, and that they have always wanted to go into a venture together. Roger explained that James had left Cynthiana when he joined the Army, lived in Columbia, then moved to Lexington, and finally ended up back in Cynthiana approximately four years ago, after vowing not to return due to the belief that there isn’t much to do in this town. This had been an interesting point for exchange of words between the two friends. Prior to the decision to open the Rohs, Roger’s wife wisely stated that “if you’re not part of the solution, you’re part of the problem,” in response to one of these grumblings. About a week later, Roger broke the news, “We’re gonna open the theater,” to which his wife responded, “well, I didn’t mean that.”
Sponsors for this morning’s Coffeebreak were:
Joe Cochran – State Farm Insurance, the Harrison County Board of Education, Jetubs, Cockrell’s Auto Center, Eastside Pharmacy, Whalen & Company, and Chase Jewelers.
WCYN makes available to the public audio copies of Coffeebreak, however recordings are only archived for a period of five business days. Cassette copies are $5 and CD copies are $10. The views and opinions expressed on today’s Coffeebreak have been those of the guest and host and are not necessarily those of WCYN staff, management, or advertisers.
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Dan Sewell reports for the Associated Press: