The Stoughton Opera House hits its "cross-generational" stride

As fall concert announcements build up into a late-summer mudslide, The A.V. Club always finds itself noting a lot of significant touring acts rolling in through Madison's usual channels: the Barrymore Theatre, the High Noon Saloon, the Majestic, The Annex, promoters like True Endeavors and Frank Productions, and so on. This coming season, a humble neighbor to the south of town is also trying to step up as an important player in the local concert scene. After an 18-year restoration that ended in 2001, the Stoughton Opera House, of all places, is finding its stride with its recently announced 2009-10 season.

Opera House director Bill Brehm and event coordinator Christina Dollhausen have booked a surprisingly eclectic and wide-ranging lineup that includes post-rock guitarist Kaki King (Oct. 24); comedy duo The Smothers Brothers (Nov. 15); Tuvan throat-singers Huun Huur Tu (Oct. 1); prolific guitar legend Leo Kottke (Oct. 2); former Lovin’ Spoonful frontman John Sebastian with Jerry Garcia collaborator David Grisman (Dec. 12); Buddy Holly’s first band, The Crickets (May 1, 2010); Iowa-bred singer-songwriter Pieta Brown (March 13, 2010); her much-loved dad, Greg Brown (April 10, 2010); and sitar princess Anoushka Shankar (April 22, 2010). In Madison terms, the lineup feels like a mix of High Noon, Majestic, Barrymore, and Wisconsin Union Theater.

This marks the second season for which Brehm and Dollhausen have booked the 500-capacity 108-year-old Opera House, and they say already they’ve sold as many tickets to members this season as they did in last year’s pre-sale. The venue sits atop Stoughton’s city hall, and Brehm feels the intimate, rustic vibe will bring a diverse group of patrons: “Younger people in their 20s or 30s who come out here to see groups for the first time are consistently surprised to see people in their 60s or 70s sitting next to them," he says. "Conversely, people in their 60s and 70s are always amazed to find that people in their 20s or 30s are interested in the music. What we’re really offering is a cross-generational venue that allows people to come together and appreciate the music and the songs.”

It remains to be seen just who will make the trip out to Stoughton for all these shows, but the lineup is seldom this sharp-looking at venues on Madison's outskirts. Tickets for the Opera House's season go on sale to the public today. For $25, patrons can become members and get dibs on better seats for every show, a popular option according to Brehm and Dollhausen.