By Jamie Larson It’s been said that art grows like a weed. No matter where it’s sprung, once rooted and flowered it remains forever. The humble Ancram Opera House (in Ancram, New York) is one such enduring place. Repurchased recently by theater professionals Paul Ricciardi and Jeff Mousseau, the unassuming opera house now sits in seed waiting to grow into something great...again. At an open house Saturday, Nov. 28 from 2 to 5 p.m. Ricciardi and Mousseau will present their vision for the former grange hall constructed in 1927. They will reintroduce folks to the Opera House, introduce themselves to members of the small town whom they have not yet met, and discuss, with us all, their ambition for a new institution that will offer performances, classes and other events. The event will feature live music and refreshments.
“It’s a beautiful and intimate space and acoustically resonant," says Ricciardi of the place that pulled them from Hudson into the Ancram countryside. They hope it will soon entice others, from near and far, in the same way. It’s the intimacy of the opera house that really appeals to the pair, who say they are partial to performances that draw from a closeness to the audience, noting that audience members should feel like their presence is necessary to those on stage.
Their ambitions are buttressed by impressive pedigrees. Mousseau’s theater directing resume includes a residency at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. His work has been seen at Tribeca Performing Arts Center, among other places in New York City, and locally at Stageworks, Hudson Opera House, Proctor's Theatre and Olana. Ricciardi currently teaches acting and voice at the City University of New York/Kingsborough Community College. As an actor he has worked in New York City, regionally and abroad. Recent credits include the premiere of his new solo show, Angry and Other Stories at Dixon Place in NYC, Moving Vehicles at Club Helsinki and Hamlet at Saratoga Shakespeare Company.
Ricciardi teaches acting in the Linklater system, and will be offering classes at the opera house. While he will continue to work with world-class performers from New York and our region, he looks forward to also offering classes to locals interested in the craft. “The driving spirit is as a meeting place," says Mousseau, “An ideal cast would be a mix of actors from New York and the region." While built as a unionizing structure for local farmers, from its conception a stage was always a part of the physical and communal configuration of the hall. Whether used for local political meetings, livestock auctions or plays by local actors, the original intent of this small town building was the amplification of the performing voice. “Along with advocating for farmers, the hall provided entertainment," says Ricciardi. “It was a part of the history of this place from the beginning."
In 1972, two cousins recognized the hall’s acoustic proficiency and created a dedicated opera house. But their goals were lofty and overreaching. They bought up a church and the general store and a few other buildings in hopes of creating an opera village in Ancram. When they went bankrupt, the building went through a series of reinventions, including its most recent beloved incarnation as a community performance/meeting space and yoga studio. “Our short-term goal is to create a modest season in the spring," says Mousseau, who adds they are grateful for those who have stewarded the opera house before them. “This building has a great history and we hope to honor that, while bringing something new to Ancram." Ancram Opera HouseOpen House: Saturday, Nov. 28, 2-5 p.m. 1330 County Rte. 7, Ancram, NY (518) 329-0114
