Newberry Opera House — Attraction in Newberry

It had been a long time since we saw a show at the Newberry Opera House and with COVID 19, any other experiences were even further delayed. My husband and I were looking for something to do for our upcoming anniversary and I saw the Electric Light Orchestra Experience with A New World advertised for Saturday, October 17. I remembered some songs that ELO played, but my husband loved them so I got tickets. The seats were great in Orchestra Left, Row J. The theater has made provisions for COVID by blocking off at least half of the theater seats. There was no one immediate in front, to the side and behind us. This made for some great viewing and less crowding. Everyone was good and wore masks and there was hand sanitizer available should someone need it. The show was FANTASTIC. The strings, the drums, the guitarist, keyboards and singers....I would most definitely pay and see them again. I only regret not taking a short video clip of the finale ROLL OVER BEETHOVEN...what an ending. PS. We had reservations across from the park at Steve W's (you do need a reservation). We had a great meal prior and just walked across the street for the show...I would most definitely go back again to see another upcoming show. Best Wishes to all! Debbie...

The theatre is a cute one, all good seats, and most of the staff is friendly and helpful. But beware, you are hot allowed to have “too much” of a good time. The theatre nazi’s will be chasing you down and literally almost running across the theatre to tell you to sit down or put your camera up. I’ve been to many many shows and performances of all types and they ALWAYS announce at the beginning of the show if you are allowed to take photos or videos. Well they did not at the Buddy Holly show and it was very distracting to see the staff running around telling people to put their phones down. And when the audience wanted to participate, the staff was telling people to sit down. When the performers were LOVING it and asking people to get up and participate. I have also been a performer and still am and we love when the audience reacts and looks like they are having a good time. It made the experience not as great as it could have been. But the performers were great even though I know they can slightly see the movement around from the white shirts. And yes in a small theatre they can see YOU. Very rude to be honest and disrespectful of the talent. Please just announce it at the beginning, while your kissing up to the...

Beautiful historic building, but it is beginning to show signs of its age inside. The lobby has taken on a cluttered appearance in the past year. Every time I attend an event, it seems that more tables and displays have been added. Things that give information on the history of the building and details about performers are nice, but not when they add to congestion, make the lobby difficult to navigate, and don't match the aesthetic of the building. Most of the ushers are very friendly and eager to help, but I have been to multiple performances in the past year when they continued to seat latecomers well into the show and made no effort to do so in a quiet and discreet manner. It was disruptive and rude to both the performers and the audience members. At the most recent event I attended, one of the ushers sat in the back watching something on a mobile device for the entire second half of the performance. Overall, the Opera House is a beautiful facility that is a great asset to the community. There are many great performers that appear each season. However, the general operations seem to have become quite sloppy in various ways over the past 2-3 years. If this trend continues, I will think twice about...