The Municipal Opera Company Music Theater of Allentown, PA

MunOpCo Music Theatre

1928-2008

The Municipal Opera Company of Allentown (a.k.a. MunOpCo Music Theatre) began as a part of the great recreation movement of the 1920’s.  This dedication to leisure time cultural activity became even more important during the Depression and the recovery years that followed.  As a result, MunOpCo has the distinction of being America’s oldest opera company linked to a Recreation Commission, the 6th oldest Opera Company of any kind in the United States today, and the oldest community theater in the City of Allentown.

The Opera Company was an outgrowth of the Allentown YMCA and YWCA choruses, both under the direction of MunOpCo founder, Mr. Errol K. Peters.  City of Allentown Recreation Commission Director Irene Welty, along with Mr. Peters and General Frank Beary, decided to combine the two choruses and perform regular musical stage productions.  Both choruses agreed, the policy of two productions a year was established and the name changed to The Allentown Municipal Opera Company.  Mr. Peters remained general director and musical director until 1961, at which time he became our Director Emeritus.  The organization became incorporated in 1946.

The purposes for which this corporation is formed are exclusively charitable and educational and in furtherance of such purposes to foster educational recreation through performance, production assistance or as an audience for the adults and children of Allentown, Pennsylvania and surrounding areas and to afford opportunity for creative endeavor and expression in the allied arts of the theatre; to bring together the amateur talent of the area for the development and advancement of literary, artistic, musical and dramatic production; to propagate by every proper means among the public an understanding of the values of theatre and its contribution to the cultural, ethical, and moral life in the schools and community; and to encourage and support the highest standards of quality in all areas of theatrical activity.

MunOpCo Music Theatre is the first non-professional company to perform West Side Story, How To Succeed in Business, Promises, Promises, and Cabaret.  Further distinction came from having done a world premier of Miss Springtime and a stage production of Cinderella from the television script. We are also proud of our Lehigh Valley premieres such as Victor/Victoria, Jekyll & Hyde, Children of Eden, and Sugar Babies.

In 2006, MunOpCo Music Theatre became a resident theatre organization at the Valley of Allentown’s Scottish Rite Cathedral, moving its entire operation to the Scottish Rite Cathedral campus.  All auditions, rehearsals and set construction are held at the theatre at 1533 Hamilton St., Allentown.  The Administrative/Box Office, as well as, our prop and costume shop is located at The Scottish Rite Center, 1544 Hamilton St., Allentown.

Mr. Larry A. Williams has been with MunOpCo since 1993 but was hired in January 2002 as the full-time Artistic Director responsible for the planning and implementation of all aspects of the stage and theatrical events of the Opera Company.  It was that same year MunOpCo Music Theatre became a full-time theatre organization and changed its format from a two-production season to a three-production season adding an outreach program for Down syndrome individuals and a professional female show choir.  Our resident Choreographer is Theresa Williams, who serves as Box Office Manager, Program Coordinator and Costume Mistress has been involved with MunOpCo since the 1980’s.   Our resident Set Designer is Mary Seng, who provides unique sets since the 1980’s.

MunOpCo has survived the Depression, the difficult WW II years, the turmoil of reorganization and change, and today continues to offer an aggressive community theatre program for the residents of the Lehigh Valley area and beyond.  A truly dedicated organization of very talented individuals from all walks of life.