Howells Opera House


Howells Opera House is a historic opera house located in Oakley, Idaho, on Blaine Street. The opera house is registered with the Idaho State Historical Society. The Opera house was built by the first prosecuting attorney for Cassia County, Judge B.P. Howells. The building construction began in 1904 and was completed in 1907 for the cost of $22,000. The opera House is currently owned and operated by the Oakley Valley Arts Council. It has been known by several names, including the Oakley Playhouse, Cassia County Playhouse, and most notably as the Howells Opera House.

Description

The opera house has a square gable false front with a central door flanked by segmental-arched openings. The building was constructed using a local variety of quartzite referred to as Oakley stone. The performance floor features seating for around 300 people.

Performance history

The Oakley Valley Arts Council has kept a record of performances from 1974 to the present. Past performances include such operas as The Diary of Anne Frank, The Mikado, and The Pirates of Penzance.
YearMarchJulyNovember
1974Fiddler on the Roof
1975
1976Title of Liberty
1977
1978Oklahoma!
1979
1980
1981Hello, Dolly!
1982Annie Get Your Gun
1983Oliver!
1984The Sound of Music
1985My Fair Lady
1986Paint Your Wagon
1987Annie
1988Seven Brides for Seven Brothers
1989The Music Man
1990South PacificCritic's Choice
1991Oklahoma!Arsenic and Old Lace
1992Kiss Me, Kate
1993Guys and DollsThe Golden FleecingSteel Magnolias
1994The Unsinkable Molly BrownThe Wizard of OzThe Foreigner
1995The King and IJoseph and the Amazing Technicolor DreamcoatBlithe Spirit
1996Calamity JaneThe Pirates of Penzance ѧNunsense
1997CamelotBye Bye BirdieThe Odd Couple
1998The Mikado ѧCinderellaForever Plaid
1999Fiddler on the RoofSeven Brides for Seven BrothersCharley's Aunt
2000The Sound of MusicInto the WoodsNunsense II
2001Once Upon a MattressDamn YankeesNuncrackers
2002You're a Good Man, Charlie BrownJoseph and the Amazing Technicolor DreamcoatA Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum
2003The FantasticksAnnie Get Your GunYou Can't Take It with You
2004AnnieThe ArkThe Diary of Anne Frank ѧ
2005Guys and DollsCrazy for YouThe Secret Garden
2006West Side StoryTom SawyerHarvey
2007Hello, Dolly!Oklahoma!Little Shop of Horrors
2008Frog and ToadSeussucal the MusicalPlaid Tidings
2009Oliver!Paint Your Wagon
2010The Pirates of Penzance ѧBye Bye BirdieThe Nerd
2011Singin' in the RainFootlooseJacob Marley's Christmas Carol
2012Dear EdwinaThe Wizard of OzWhite Christmas
2013Arsenic and Old LaceSeven Brides for Seven BrothersClue
2014The 39 StepsOnce Upon a MattressScrooge!
2015Meshuggah-nuns!Who Shot Pablito Chanchito?It's a Wonderful Life ѧ
2016Something's Afoot!Calamity JaneCurtains
2017Tom Sawyer Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor DreamcoatThe Man Who Came to Dinner
2018Walking HappyAnnieThe Christmas Schooner
2019Greater TunaChitty Chitty Bang BangForever Plaid
2020A Christmas StoryThe Scarlet PimpernelLet's Murder Marsha
2021A Christmas StoryThe Scarlett PimpernelLet's Murder Marsha

Oakley Valley Arts Council

During the 1970s, when the opera house had fallen into a state of disrepair and demolition of the house was being discussed, the performing arts community within Oakley formed the Oakley Valley Arts Council and purchased the house. Today the Oakley Valley Arts Council continues to put on seasonal performances here.

Ghostlore

The opera house is the subject of several ghostlore stories. One story suggests that there is a female apparition with black hair who can be seen watching the performances from behind the stage. Another story relates that an older gentleman's ghost can be seen stalking the grounds of the house, with some variations suggesting that this particular ghost is that of original owner, Benjamin Howells.