Fred’s son, Ferris, and Gregg Clark’s son, James, play together in Sister Salem.

“I am also looking forward to seeing the ‘next generation’ play. That includes the bands on stage and the people in the crowd,” Baumgarten said. I always look forward to seeing people enjoy themselves whenever I have the opportunity to sing. Musicians have been anticipating playing and music lovers have been just as anxious to get out and see live music. “I am most looking forward to seeing everyone in their element at this event. Rogers and I Dig Pig and Sister Salem, featuring James Clark, Ferris Gillespie, and Gabrielle Anais Sears. The “Spring Blues and Roots Rock Extravaganza” will feature a variety of Middletown favorites including Fred Gillespie and the Swamp Bees, with special guests Ashley Baumgarten, Chuck Evans and Randy Smith as well as Jimmy D. The board of the Sorg has worked extremely hard donating hours of their time to bring it back to life and I am flattered and excited to be a part of the revitalization,” said Ashley Baumgarten, a participating artist. “It is so important to preserve our town’s history. Good luck Chuck and Denise! You’ll be missed.MIDDLETOWN, Ohio - Many of Middletown’s best-loved musicians will present a benefit concert for the Sorg Opera Revitalization Group with the “Spring Blues and Roots Rock Extravaganza” on April 30. And, for people who remember Music Hall’s old seats, you can revisit them up in Middletown. I’m posting a few memories of visiting the Sorg while these dedicated preservationists were at work restoring and programming a series of concerts in the hall. In the lobby You can visit your old Music Hall seats The Sorg is on the National Register of Historic Places. There are similarities between the Sorg Opera House (1891) and Music Hall (1878) as you can see in the balconies.

Here’s my story from about a year ago of how Chuck and his devoted board have been working - extremely hard - to restore the Hannaford-built theater to its former grandeur. Wife Denise Brodsky has also resigned her position on the board.Ĭurrent board members Roger Daniels and Chris Riva are stepping in to fill roles, although his successor has not been decided. Now, as John Kiesewetter reports this morning, Chuck Miller has resigned as president of the Sorg Opera Revitalization Group (SORG) to become the new executive director of the historic “State Movie Palace of Kansas,” the Fox Theatre in Hutchinson. It took a man with a vision to see the beauty behind the dilapidated and abandoned Sorg Opera House in Middletown. Chuck Miller in his element, backstage at the Sorg

Sorg opera house