Suzanne Stewart
Staff Writer
The Opera House is Marlinton was transformed into a magical garden Saturday night for the preview party for the 2026-2027 Season.
Guests walked through an entryway of large flowers and into the “garden” lit by string lights and decorated with lush flowers and tea sets, much like the fantastical world of Wonderland.
Dining on tea party essentials such as cucumber sandwiches, fruits and veggies and beautifully decorated cupcakes, guests were welcomed by Opera House Director Brynn Kusic, who introduced the season preview video created by Ryan Krofcheck.
“I’m so glad to see all of you, so many wonderful people gathered in this room,” Kusic said. “It’s all of us that together made this happen and it’s so cool to have a theme of a garden party and growing, because this really is what we grow together here – community, space to be together to celebrate the positive things that are happening in this world and to make great things happen together.”
Kusic said it has been wonderful to see the Opera House continue to do what it was built to do more than 100 years ago – a feat that was possible because members of the community worked hard to bring the building back to life.
“I am so grateful for all of the years that this Opera House has been here and for all of the people who had a vision and a dream,” she said.
“Those people – a lot of them are not with us anymore – but it’s all of us that keep it going and it’s all of us that keep the spirit of the original intention of what would happen in this space alive.”
Kusic thanked everyone in attendance and recognized all those who have donated their time and money to the Opera House to keep its doors open year after year.
“There’s so much generosity,” she said. “I was actually thinking about this – it’s like the economy of generosity because the Opera House just brings so much generosity out of people.”
The 2026-2027 Performance Series schedule is as follows:
July 12 – The Rustic Mechanicals: “A Midsummer Nights’ Dream”
July 20-25 – Missoula Children’s Theatre Camp will present “The Frog Prince.” Performances Friday, July 24, at 5:30 p.m. and Saturday, July 25, at 3 p.m.
September 11-13 – The Pocahontas County Drama Workshop will present “Catch Me If You Can”
October 10 – Kelton Boblits, a rag-time pianist
October 24 – Pressing Strings, a soul/roots/rock band
November 7 – Ouros and Danny Knicely, a Spanish fusion band
November 21 – The Judy Chops, a rock/funk/soul band
December 12 – Pocahontas County’s very own Black Mountain Bluegrass Boys
February 20 – Opry Night featuring Mudhole Control and Myra Morison and Friends
March 20 – Jazz singer Lena Seikaly
April 3 – Folk rock singer Margaret Glaspy
April 17 – Pocahontas County’s The Bing Brothers featuring Jake Krack
May 9 – Austin Walkin’ Cane, blues guitarist and singer
May 22 – Los Cumpleanos – a Cumbia band
For more information on the programs at the Pocahontas County Opera House, visit pocahontascountyoperahouse.org
