A Moment for the Opera
The History and Legacy of the Matthews Opera House & Arts Center
Almost every small town in the Midwest will have their ‘downtown’ area. The locally owned shops, cute boutiques, and delicious small-town restaurants. But not every downtown has its very own opera house.
History Like No Other
Who would have thought that a rancher from Texas would be the founder of The Matthews Opera House in Spearfish? Thomas N. Matthews, despite having a ranch in Wyoming, decided to move his family to Spearfish in search of medical treatment for his wife.
After falling in love with the town itself, Matthews built a commercial building with an opera house on the second floor that would seat 300. The opera house was open for business to theater goers and opera enthusiasts on December 3, 1906.
From 1906 to 1912, a variety of plays and operas graced the wooden stage. But that is not all that this opera house has served. After 1912, the auditorium floor of the theater entertained as a dance hall, and occasionally as a basketball court (a house-of-all-trades in a sense). By 1919, the theatre welcomed a new feature to drive further entertainment through its doors: motion pictures. Silent movie screenings were a specialty featured at the Matthews’, that is until the Vita Theater introduced “talkies” to the town in 1930.
After that, the theater hit a decline, operating as a shooting gallery, storage room, and at one time a parachuting packaging space for WWII.
A decade later, new owners not only became the opera house’s new owners but brought new life to the old building. Margaret Kelley, along with her husband Bud, purchased The Matthews’ entire building in the 1940s. Margaret was adamant that the opera house would remain an opera house! And the years following, the opera house would continue to flood its stage with plays, music, laughter, applause, and art.
Theater’s Lights Shine Bright
The theater’s stage has housed many talented actors and actresses, comedies, musicals, and plays.
Melodramas in the 1950s, with the musical comedy, Nunsense, was a hit each time the production ran. The sixties kicked off the collaboration between Black Hills State College (now a state university) drama department and the opera house, showing popular comedies and musicals.
Then, 1976, the theater’s popular play written by Paul Higbee, was none other than “Phantom of Matthews Opera House.” A play where the crowd was encouraged to shout BOO and throw peanuts at the stage. The production continues to be revived every few years, and while peanuts may not be thrown at the play’s main villain, the play continues to draw a crowd whenever it is brought back into the spotlight.
That Spotlight Continues to Shine
Beginning in the mid-80s into the 90s, the opera house underwent major restoration—thanks to years of local funding by dedicated opera house supporters. A beautiful front lobby, backstage dressing rooms, and offices were added to ensure the legacy of the opera house would stand. And so, it has.
And that spotlight has shined on various productions. Children’s stage plays and musicals have been a big hit during the summer months, with productions of Aladdin, The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, My Son Pinnocchio, and more. During the colder months, various stage productions will be taking place where couples can go for date night (or a break from the kids) or friends may gather after dinner at Nonna’s Kitchen. But the lights don’t just shine on theater productions.
For many years, The Matthews Opera House showcased various arts, from paintings to photography in their own gallery. Although the gallery is no longer under the Matthews’ program, the opera house continues to celebrate local artists allowing for a space of opportunity for various art pieces through their online gallery.
The opera house still opens its doors to film screenings, singers, and musicians, but the Matthews’ offers more than just indoor art events with its biggest organization being the Festival in the Park. Spearfish City Park becomes packed with various art and craft vendors from all over the country for three days in the summer with proceeds going back to the outreach for the arts. Three days of live music, food, and community, this is a Matthews Opera House must-see event.
The House Still Stands
Beginning in 1906, the Matthews Opera House & Arts Center continues to deliver music, art, theater and entertainment to the community of Spearfish. A beloved building in the middle of Downtown Main Street, reminds all who walk through its doors, they are not just entering an ordinary opera house, but stepping into a place filled with a rich history that should not be forgotten.
