July 19, 1976

Courier-Times

Open House at Theater Draws 500

Approximately 500 people from over this area of Indiana, plus several from such places as Michigan, Kansas and California, attended the open house Sunady afternoon of Guyer Opera House in Lewisville.

The event proved an assistance to the Raintree County Opera House Guild, Inc., in its effort to raise the necessary funds to restore the historic building.

Among the preview visitors Saturday was a magician who had played the Guyer Opera House in the 1920s. He was Geroge Marquis, 71, who now lives in Hollywood, Calif., and still performs his magic act out there before schools, clubs and other organizations.

Marquis and his wife, Willa, visiting Indianapolis friends, had read an account of the open house in a newspaper there on Friday. Saturday, they showed up in Lewsivlle and had an exciting time talking with Dick Willis, instigator of the rehabilitation venture, his wife, Cikie, and other residents of the town.

Marquis said he also had played the Alhambra in Knightstown, the Princess and Castle in New Castle and fondly recalled the late Ray Brenner who had managed both theaters. He left pictures and other mementoes for the theater museum.

Also present were Bill and Jack Guyer of Indianapolis after whose grandfather, Dr. O. K. Guyer, the opera house was named. Some of the area’s older residents, some of who had attended opening night, reminisced about their experiences.

During the open house, 50 memberships were sold, Willis said, to help the Raintree County Opera House Guild, Inc., raise the $50,000 needed to purchase the old building on U.S. 40, pay for heating, air conditioning and plumbing systems, and make it safe and comfortable. A total of 2,000 memberships is needed.