Go behind the curtain for a 30-minute tour of this historic Victorian building, including a behind-the-scenes look at the multi-award-winning professional theater that calls it home.
The Goodspeed Opera House was built in 1876 by William Goodspeed for his shipping and banking business and to provide a venue for his love of theatre. The opera house opened on October 24, 1877, with the comedy Charles II and the farces Box And Cox and Turn Him Out. After Goodspeed's death, the opera house went from serving as a militia base during World War I to a general store to a storage depot for the State of Connecticut Highway Department. In 1959, Goodspeed Musicals restored the building, and the Goodspeed Opera House was rededicated on June 18, 1963, with the opening of the musical Oh, Lady! Lady!. Goodspeed has achieved international acclaim as the home of musical theatre. Mixing classics by the Gershwins, Cole Porter and Jerome Kern with the very best of this country's newest musicals, Goodspeed pioneered the practice of rethinking, restoring and revitalizing America's musical theatre heritage.
The Goodspeed Opera House tour is hosted by the Goodspeed Guild. Explore places such as backstage and the actors' dressing rooms while learning about the vibrant history of the Opera House. Tours are available on Saturdays from June through October. All tours are open to the public. The cost is $5 per adult and $1 for children under 12. Group tours available by appointment only.
Tour time: 30 minutes
Other amenities: dining nearby, gift shop, parking
