In 1983 Broadway actor Lou Criscuolo, was hired to perform in the 125th anniversary show for Thalian Hall. He fell in love with the beautiful theatre, with the charm of Wilmington, and with Mary James Morgan, who worked at the Hall. They were a great team; Lou brought his many years of Broadway experience and know-how, and Mary James brought her Wilmington connections and marketing skills.
On March 7, 1985, Lou and Mary James opened their first production, "Cactus Flower", starring Joe Namath and his wife, Deborah Mays. After "Cactus Flower", Opera House Theatre Company received its non-profit status and a grant from the North Carolina State Arts Council. The 1985 Company Manager for Opera House Theatre Company, Catherine Lea, said, “OHTC's 1985 summer season was the first full-scale summer season of theater ever done in Thalian Hall and many advised Lou against doing it. He did it anyway and proved them all wrong! "Fiddler on the Roof", was followed by "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum", followed by "Arsenic and Old Lace", which debuted Frank Capra, Jr."
And so the tradition started, of bringing in guest professionals to inspire and work alongside local performers.
Over the past three and a half decades, thousands of local actors, directors, choreographers, musicians and technicians have developed their craft working among professionals with Opera House Theatre Company. Several have since followed their passions touring the world, performing with symphonies, dance companies, cruise ships or working behind the scenes on creative crews. Alumni have joined the casts of five Broadway shows and eight National tours such as: "Hamilton", "Wicked", "Cats", "Fosse", "Motown the Musical", "Book of Mormon", "Oklahoma", "A Chorus Line", "Legally Blonde" and "Hairspray". OHTC produces two winter and six summer musicals, totaling ninety full length shows annually with casts of 30-55 technicians and entertainers ages 7-83. Through these shows, paid positions are created for local independent contractors, musicians and technicians affording Wilmington artists an opportunity to perform alongside family, friends and current Broadway, TV & Film professionals.
Theatre is continuously changing, and the memories it creates lasts lifetimes. Mary James and Lou will never be forgotten, and Opera House Theatre Company will go on in their honor.
In February 2019, under the leadership of OHTC's new Executive Artistic Director Justin Smith, OHTC's two person show, "Always…. Patsy Cline'', attracted over 3,400 people. By the end of 2019, OHTC broke all ticket sales records, with over 25,000 people attending the 2019 season shows, far surpassing any other renter, in the history of Thalian Hall Center of the Performing Arts. January 1, 2020 - March 8, 2020 over 9,600 people supported OHTC, by attending the two winter shows, "La Cage Aux Folles" and "The Sound of Music".
OHTC legacy has been emerging, strengthening and evolving since 1985, because what is legacy, but a gift, we receive from our predecessors. Our legacy from Mary James and Lou, Justin Smith, Jeanne Criscuolo, their families and all of our OHTC friends, is rich, and full of life. Since the beginning of this new creative partnership, we have committed ourselves to enriching and helping sustain the love of live theatre and arts education. The OHTC legacy is a phenomenal gift and an awesome responsibility. Your support plays a pivotal role in helping Opera House continue to create live theatre now and for future generations. No matter how many times we say it, it’s always true…we absolutely could not do what we do without you.
