The Curtain Goes Up on the Matesich Theatre

By Tom Brockman, Editor

One of Ohio Dominican’s true gems shines as brightly today as it did nearly a century ago. After years of planning and work, the campus community officially celebrated the grand reopening of the Sr. Mary Andrew Matesich, OP Theatre on Saturday, Oct. 12. The evening’s celebration was headlined by Columbus’ own ProMusica Chamber Orchestra, which consists of 37 musicians from across the country and is led by world-renowned violinist Vadim Gluzman.

ProMusica Chamber Orchestra performed on Oct. 12, 2019 to celebrate the grand reopening of the Matesich Theatre following its extensive restoration.

The evening started with a special reception in the Wehrle Gallery to recognize and thank the nearly 400 donors, businesses and foundations who helped to take the project, which was funded entirely by donations, from idea, to concept, to reality.

As the audience settled into the theater’s brand new seats, Prioress of the Dominican Sisters of Peace Sr. Patricia Twohill, OP, President Robert Gervasi, Ph.D. and Tom Fitzpatrick ’69 reflected both on the project and the woman after whom the theater is named: Sr. Mary Andrew Matesich, OP, who served as ODU’s president from 1978 to 2001, and who passed away in 2005.

Prioress of the Dominican Sisters of Peace Sr. Patricia Twohill, OP blessed the Matesich Theatre with Holy Water during a ceremony on April 24, 2019.

As the orchestra played various works by Beethoven, Mozart and Vasks during its two-hour performance, music filled every corner of the 90-year-old venue, virtually all of which was touched at some point during the theater’s $1 million refurbishment. When the final phase of the project was completed in fall 2019, crews had replaced the theater’s stage curtain, carpet and seats; strengthened its exterior walls and roof; restored its intricate wood and plaster work; painted its interior walls and ceiling; enhanced its stage lighting system and audio and visual equipment; and restored its stage surface.

The evening provided an opportunity for those who purchased a seat in support of the theater campaign to sit in their named seat, fitted with a plaque, as they enjoyed the performance, which was funded entirely with a gift from Diamond Hill Capital Management, which also supported the project.

Plaques are on display outside the main entrance to the theater recognizing the generosity of the campaign’s supporters.

ProMusica now joins other well-known performers and scholars who have graced the theater’s stage, including Bishop Fulton J. Sheen, actor Ozzie Davis, Pulitzer Prize-winning playwrights Edward Albee and Tony Kushner, the von Trapp Family Singers, best-selling author Frances Mayes, former U.S. Poet Laureate Billy Collins, Pulitzer prize-winning syndicated columnist Ellen Goodman, and political commentator Eleanor Clift.

The event was a fitting way to re-christen the theater and honor the legacy of one of Ohio Dominican’s true pioneers. As Tom Fitzpatrick stated during the celebration, “It is our hope that everyone who uses this theater takes the time to know and to be inspired by Sr. Mary Andrew Matesich.” Thanks to the generosity of so many, the theater will continue to shine for years to come.

To purchase a seat to support future improvements to the Matesich Theatre, visit ohiodominican.edu/Theater.

See photos from the refurbishment:

During the project, crews restored nearly every square inch of the theater, including its intricate plaster work located along the ceiling. Photo taken in July 2018.

The theater’s original seats were removed in Dec. 2018.

Crews prepare the floor for the new seats and carpet.

The theater’s brand new seats being installed.

The new seats were installed in Jan. 2019.