Turning Back the Pages

30 years ago – August 3, 1984

  The opera performance of “Cinderella” was interrupted Saturday when a section of plaster on the east side of the Opera House ceiling fell into the audience. The building was immediately evacuated and the performance was cancelled, as well as the one on Sunday. Four people were injured in the accident, none seriously. Dennis White, a Gilpin County emergency medical technician, stated that when he was first dispatched, he was informed that someone had fallen from the balcony. Before White reached the scene, he was correctly informed that some of the ceiling had fallen into the audience. John Moriarty, the opera’s artistic director, said Tuesday that approximately “four feet by three feet” of plaster had fallen from the ceiling onto the balcony railing directly below it. Then it hit the audience below that. He added that loose plaster around the area that fell has been removed, thus causing the area to measure approximately 10 feet by four feet. Moriarty also stated that architects, engineers, and specialists have inspected the building thoroughly and found no other areas of loose plaster. To ensure against any plaster falling from the ceiling in the original area, burlap was secured over the entire location Tuesday. The Opera House reopened Tuesday afternoon with the youth performance of “Rigoletto.” According to a spokesman at the opera box office, approximately 250 people attended. A full house is 756 people.

  The Teller House garden restaurant was drastically rearranged in the early morning hours of July 26 by vandals who destroyed potted plants, patio furniture, and garden fixtures. According to the report made by Central City Police Chief Pat Warkentin, the party or parties responsible are unknown. Warkentin also stated in his report that “four umbrellas valued at $60 each were stolen.” One of the fixtures in the Teller House used to display potted plants was hung from the balcony near the terrace entrance door.