Groundbreaking Today for Newport Opera House Restoration

NEWPORT, RI—Ground will be broken Monday on Touro Street, marking the beginning of major renovation project at The Newport Opera House Theater and Performing Arts Center.

Governor Gina Raimondo and a group of dignitaries and, opera lovers and local and state officials will be on hand to celebrate the beginning of the project, funded in part by a $4.2 million grant approved by voters in 2014 as part of the Rhode Island Creative and Cultural Economy Bonds.

The plan is for work to be completed by December, 2017.

The ceremony begins at 10 a.m. at the opera house, located at 19 Touro St. in Newport, right in Washington Square.

At the ceremony, officials will highlight the economic and cultural significance of the project.

Additional elected officials who are scheduled to attend to show their support and enthusiasm for the Opera House Theater include Senator Jack Reed, Congressman David Cicilline, State Representative Marvin Abney, State Representative Deborah Ruggiero, and State Representative Lauren Carson.

The opera house is one of the oldest surviving opera houses in the country and is one of the oldest theater buildings in Rhode Island.

Once work is complete, the facility will bring performances to the community year-round and will include state-of-the-art theatrical equipment, projection, light and sound, a new box office, a new lobby overlooking the square, education space and even a rooftop garden with views of Newport Harbor and the Claiborne Pell Bridge.

“Programming at the restored Opera House Theater will be of the highest quality: diverse and engaging, fun and professional, inclusive and innovative,” a release stated. “The theater will offer a broad range of programming and live performances – music, dance, theater, comedy, educational programs, speakers’ series, youth and family programs….and much more!”

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