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Theater buff working to restore Middletown’s Sorg Opera House

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By Eric Robinette, Staff Writer 4:47 PM Friday, August 14, 2009

MIDDLETOWN — While there’s no shortage of activities at the Sorg Opera House, the 118-year-old opera house itself, on 57 S. Main St., could stand some major sprucing up.

That’s where Gary Smith comes in. The Dayton man is a buff of theater buildings and has contributed to the restoration efforts of the Victoria Theatre in Dayton and the Emery Theatre in Cincinnati. During the past several weeks, he has been doing some restoration work at Sorg, including repairing its leaky roof that had caused damage to the theater over the years.

“I found this place about 20 years ago and it’s been in the back of my mind ever since. I thought I knew every theater, but I didn’t know this one,” Smith said.

Smith came back around to Sorg within the past year and began to make inquiries about working to restore the place.

He and Ed Hall, the owner of the building, have applied to form a nonprofit group called the Sorg Opera House Association to further the restoration efforts and help with fundraising.

“I’ve always wanted to be a part of the oldest theater I could find, and this is it,” Smith said, adding, “the acoustics are still wonderful in there.”

Although much work remains to be done, including restoring the stage and the marquee, Smith hopes to have the building in much improved shape in time for its 120th birthday in 2012.

Smith has worked to do more than just repair the building. He’s also filled it with new programs, including the showing of classic movies, starting Wednesday with “Easter Parade,” starring Fred Astaire and Judy Garland. Smith also hopes to form a group called The Sorg Players to stage “a couple of plays a year,” he said.

Referring to Sorg, Smith said, “I like the age, I like the beauty. It’s hard to see right now, but it really is a beautiful place.”

Hall likes the progress that’s been made to the building he owns.

“I think he’s going to be a great benefit for the whole building. I’m really excited to see all that’s happening,” Hall said.

Contact this reporter at (513) 705-2836 or erobinette@coxohio.com.