Auditorium

McPherson Opera House Auditorium

THE AUDITORIUM TODAY

Although the auditorium looks much as it might have after the 1913 remodel, everything, in fact, is new. The most dramatic change was rebuilding the second balcony, which restored the space to the much more pleasing architectural ensemble intended by the original architect, George Shaffer of Abilene.

The historically correct seating, provided by American Seating Co., has been sized to contemporary standards, and the auditorium, on its three levels, seats 488. EverGreene Painting Studios did preliminary work on the restoration of the mural and also uncovered, through a reveal window, the original 1888 stencil pattern, which has been recreated in the Grand Ballroom. Belle Restoration restored the mural and recreated the original 1913 G. N. Malm decorative scheme.

Built, as it was, before the advent of amplification, the auditorium has excellent natural acoustics, something immediately noticed by performers. The auditorium is also outfitted with a Christie 4K Digital projection system and Dolby Surround sound. A 20-foot screen specially optimized for high- definition video provides stunning image quality.

Chet Anderson

the stage

The Chet Anderson Stage

On February 2, 1921, Chester (Chet) Anderson, as a seven-year-old child, saw David Björling and his three sons, Gösta, Jussi, and Olle perform on the stage of the McPherson Opera House. Jussi Björling went on to become one of the most celebrated operatic tenors of the 20th Century.

Chet retained a strong memory of that day, and he, his wife Mary, and their children were early and consistent supporters of the rehabilitation of the McPherson Opera House. In addition to funding the Mary Anderson Arts Center, to honor their father, the Anderson siblings also funded the auditorium stage.

(Photo of Chet and Mary Anderson)

the stage

The Chet Anderson Stage

On February 2, 1921, Chester (Chet) Anderson, as a seven-year-old child, saw David Björling and his three sons, Gösta, Jussi, and Olle perform on the stage of the McPherson Opera House. Jussi Björling went on to become one of the most celebrated operatic tenors of the 20th Century.

Chet retained a strong memory of that day, and he, his wife Mary, and their children were early and consistent supporters of the rehabilitation of the McPherson Opera House. In addition to funding the Mary Anderson Arts Center, to honor their father, the Anderson siblings also funded the auditorium stage.

(Photo of Chet and Mary Anderson)

the stage

Technical specifications

The stage, 24 feet by 24 feet with a one-half-inch rake per foot, is fully equipped with high-end professional lighting. The performances at the McPherson Opera House look and sound spectacular. Want more information? Take a look at the technical specifications for the auditorium.

McPherson Opera House Mural 1170

HISTORY OF THE AUDITORIUM

The auditorium, in which the first performance was staged on January 28, 1889, had two balconies and seated 900 persons. The second balcony had no fixed seating; patrons sat on the risers. In 1913, the auditorium was redecorated. The owners had the foresight to hire G. N. Malm for the project, a noted painter and writer affiliated with Bethany College in Lindsborg, 17 miles north of McPherson. In addition, Malm, along with his brother and Oscar Gunnerson, had a successful business that dealt in hand-cut stencils designed by Malm.

Malm painted the mural above the proscenium arch and designed the decorative stenciling that has been accurately recreated in the auditorium. During the 1925-1929 extensive remodeling of the Opera House, the decorative scheme devised by Malm was largely left intact but some of his work was painted over in an effort to “modernize” the interior.

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