THEATER

The RiverPark Center at 30

Written by LIBBY JOHNSON // Photo by AP IMAGERY

For a whole generation of Owensboroans, the Riverpark Center has simply always been there - anchoring the East end of the riverfront as a constant of the downtown landscape. On the other hand, there is still a large contingent of people who remember life - and downtown - pre Riverpark.

As the Riverpark Center turns 30 and enters its fourth decade of existence, it seems appropriate to review and reflect on the facility’s past, present, and future.

THE PAST

The original idea for the entertainment epicenter now known fondly as “RPC” stemmed from a combination of desires by a handful of different groups. Jessie Mountjoy, local attorney and a member of the RPC board since its inception, recalls that a group of symphony supporters primarily wanted to relocate the Owensboro Symphony from Daviess County High School to downtown. That group worked with the Chamber of Commerce, and eventually the idea of RPC was curated and came to fruition in 1988 when Governor Wallace Wilkinson awarded the city a $4.5 million challenge grant to build a performing arts center. According to riverparkcenter.org, that grant was more than doubled with $10.7 million in local funds.

Early on, interested parties thought 4th Street would be a great location, however, a site selection adviser recommended utilizing the riverfront instead.

“Dave (Adkisson, the mayor at the time) drew on a napkin at Pinocchio’s (a long-gone local eatery) what he thought it should look like, and it (RPC) is really remarkably similar,” Mountjoy recalls. Though the design of the building closely resembles the original dream, according to Mountjoy, the development of the Riverpark Center expanded far beyond what he personally envisioned at the outset. “If you’d asked me in the beginning, I’d have said, ‘No, this is not a place for kids,’ but it has evolved into something that is amazingly for kids, and that is something to be proud of,” he says.

Roxi Witt, who retired as General Manager of RPC in 2019 and was involved in its management in various roles since the beginning, is also deeply proud of the educational aspect that has become such an integral part of its mission. “We (Owensboroans) are so used to it being there and being part of our lives,” she says, but it’s another thing altogether “to witness a school bus from say, Webster County pull up

and a little five-year-old get off and stop in awe and say, “Wow!” Witt says RPC “gave arts a place, and gives people a place for the arts,” and also allows people to feel free to be in a beautiful facility.

Reflecting on her years at RPC, Witt says that, naturally, some events and occurrences stand out more than others. Certainly, there were challenges - lots of rain-soaked weddings, a symphony performance halted and evacuated due to rising flood waters, and a tornado warning that necessitated “stuffing 1500 schoolchildren all over the building.” Though Witt says she cannot choose a particular performance as her favorite, she recalls that The Kentucky National Guard Gala on the first anniversary of September 11th was “so powerful.”

THE PRESENT

“When people think about important events in their lives, at least some of them will have happened at the Riverpark Center,” Witt says. Local restaurateur and entrepreneur Ben Skiadis agrees. “I have the enjoyed the Riverpark Center since its inception. As a kid going to school performances, attending the Broadway series with my family, and even directing on the big stage as a student at OHS - that was very impactful for me as a young artist,” he says. “The countless events held there certainly impact downtown business, including, of course, the restaurants owned by Skiadis and his family, and for that he is grateful. “Through every stage of my life, the RPC has played a role,” he says, “and I’m looking forward to working with Rich Jorn and Grae Greer on my newest venture - Do INC, a single source resource for all community events.”

Both Jorn, the Executive Director, and Greer, the Marketing Director, are enthused about the Riverpark’s current status. One post-Covid innovation is the newish GhostLight Lounge. “When I was interviewed for the position, I was taking a tour of RiverPark Center, and I noticed this empty room that had a lot of potential. And I thought it would be a great opportunity for people to gather and socialize before and after a show. The GhostLight Lounge is entertainment based, a lot about the audience participation, and interaction with the patrons. We’re able to not only enhance their evening, but also, we’re able to promote future events as well,” says Jorn.

“The GhostLight Lounge’s name came about when we were discussing various ways to enhance RiverPark Center’s nightlife. A ghost light is a light that stays on the stage when the production is over, and the curtain is down. It continues to give energy to the theatre. I love that our entertainment bar is named The GhostLight Lounge because that’s exactly what it does; it is a space that continues to energize RiverPark Center after our normal programming is over,” explains Greer.

Stalwart programming for resident programs such as the Owensboro Symphony Orchestra, Owensboro Dance Theatre, Encore Musicals, and the OPS Fine Arts Festival are mainstays

IN THE KNOW 9 EVENTS TO PUT ON YOUR CALENDAR

1

SIPS & SUNFLOWERS

SEPTEMBER 9, 16-17 @ TRUNNELL’S FARM MARKET From 6-10 pm. On September 9, spend an evening sipping wine, beer, or spirits amid Trunnell’s gorgeous sunflower fields while enjoying over a million blooms of sunflowers. The wagon ride will take you from the farm market to their Sunflower Field, where you can enjoy delicious food, a farm bar, live music, bonfires, and splendid evening views.

2

THE OAK RIDGE BOYS

SEPTEMBER 9 @ RIVERPARK CENTER Theirs is one of the most distinctive and recognizable sounds in the music industry. The four-part harmonies and upbeat songs of The Oak Ridge Boys have spawned dozens of Country hits, earned them Grammy, Dove, CMA, and ACM awards, and garnered a host of other industry and fan accolades. Every time they step before an audience, the Oaks bring four decades of charted singles, and 50 years of tradition, to a stage show widely acknowledged as among the most exciting anywhere. of the venue and continue to have their existence enhanced by access to the facility. Both Witt and Jorn attest that even after thirty years, the technical capabilities of RPC are still top notch. “This is not just a glorified high school auditorium,” Witt says. “It can still accommodate the most high-tech shows.”

Alan Holbrook, a board member whose family has a long association with the Riverpark, co-chairs the RPC Community Relations Task Force with Mountjoy. Holbrook says he is proud of the fact that in recent years, a seat was created on the board to represent the many volunteers who staff the events. “We’ve tried - and will keep doing so- to diversify the offerings and audience. It (RPC) really is multi-cultural and multi-purpose.”

THE FUTURE

“My vision for the next decade of RPC is to grow in what we offer to the community. I definitely want to continue to do all the things the RiverPark Center is known for.” Jorn says. “I want my legacy to be that I opened up our programming so that everyone felt there was something for them at the RiverPark Center. Officially I work for a board of directors , who are great people and very supportive. But I really work for the citizens of this region, for all of them. I want to provide quality live entertainment experiences to as many people, groups, segments, etc…as I possibly can. And along the way I’d love to introduce folks to new things and new experiences.” OL

3

NASHVILLE SONGWRITER

SEPTEMBER 8 @ BLUEGRASS MUSIC HALL OF FAME & MUSEUM Featuring professional songwriters based in Nashville, Tennessee, the series focuses on both hit makers and those searching for their first hit. The series highlights stories and lives of those working to create the soundtrack of America. Seating will not be provided, so bring your own chair or blanket. Gates open at 6:30 pm, concert begins at 7 pm. Tickets are $10 each for general admission. →