Historic Opera House In Derby To Be Featured On Discovery Channel Show

DERBY, CT — Derby residents may soon see a familiar local historic icon on an upcoming episode of the Discovery Channel's "Mysteries of the Abandoned: Hidden America" series.

Kellie Santiago, the executive director of the Derby Historical Society, confirmed producers of the show contacted the city and the historical society last month about featuring the Sterling Opera House in its upcoming season.

Though the producers were directed to contact the city for permission to film the building, which they received, they also sought assistance from the historical society in securing interviews for the episode, Santiago said.

The series, which tells stories of "lesser-known buildings and ruins of historical interest" across the country, plans to produce a segment consisting of "one or two walking and talking interviews at the [opera house] with individuals that have a personal link to the property," according to information sent from a Discovery Channel series representative via the Derby Historical Society.

The producers are currently seeking people who remember the opera house when it was operational and might be interested in being featured on the show.

"Maybe you worked at the opera house or the city hall below or even if you just visited while it was open," the notice reads. "If this is you, it would be great to hear from you!"

The interview would be conducted sometime during the week of Sept. 4 for a few hours with a small crew consisting of two-three people and one camera, according to the notice. Those interested can reach out to beth.adams@likeashot.tv to arrange an informal chat.

Located across from the historic green on Elizabeth Street in downtown Derby, the theater opened in April 1889 and operated as a theater until 1945.

"One of the biggest things that makes it historically significant to our area and a continual topic of preservation is that it was the first building in Connecticut to be listed on the National Register of Historic Places," Santiago said in an email interview. "There are also claims that the completion of this building with public funds in 1889 was the last straw in Ansonia separating completely from Derby and becoming its own independent town."

For over 50 years, the Sterling Opera House was an entertainment mecca for vaudeville legends, internationally renowned figures and theater premiers, according to the town website.

Famous performers who delighted Sterling audiences include composer John Philip Sousa, "It's a Wonderful Life" star Lionel Barrymore, "Singin' In the Rain" actor and dancer Donald O'Connor and famed illusionist Harry Houdini. Even world-famous aviator Amelia Earhart once addressed a local women's club from the opera house's stage.

Silent filmmaker D.W. Griffith also premiered a number of his films at the opera house following a great response to his "Birth of a Nation" production.

According to Santiago, the downstairs of the building was used as a municipal space after the theater closed in 1945, which housed the Derby Police Department and City Hall until 1965 when those departments moved to bigger locations in the same area.

"Unfortunately, the building is currently and has been closed to the public for some time," Santiago said. "To the best of my knowledge, the last public tours were in 1998 during Olde Derby Days, and that was done to announce a grant to restore the building."

She also noted singer Harry Connick Jr. was allowed to shoot a music video for his rendition of "Amazing Grace" inside the building in February 2020.

Over the years, several attempts have been made to restore the opera house.

"There were grants received under the administrations of Mayors Marc Garofolo and Anthony Staffieri, but those were put towards restoration of the building's exterior," Santiago said. "There is currently a new committee that was approved by the Board of Alderman in March working to raise funds for the opera house restoration once again."

Anyone interested in learning more about the Sterling Opera House can find further information on the city website and the Sterling Opera House Commission's Facebook page, or in the "Images of America: Derby" book printed by the historical society, Santiago said.