CHAUTAUQUA, NY -- Bells chime in the Miller Clock Tower, announcing the passage of time. Another summer at Chautauqua Institution is quickly coming to a close. This is the ninth and final week of the 2016 season. And while the idyllic views and charmingly narrow streets will return, one of the biggest institutions of the Institutions won’t be entirely the same.
“The season ends Sunday. Literally Monday morning, moving trucks will be in here dismantling, taking away the trailers in the back.” Vice President of Marketing for the Institution George Murphy is describing the rapidly approaching start of extensive renovations on the venerable Chautauqua Amphitheater, set to begin as soon as the season wraps on Sunday night. The plans include an almost total rebuild of the existing structure. While they’re trying to keep the same historic aesthetic, they are also updating, adding 800 seats, a much needed orchestra pit, and updating seating and aisles to be much more spectator friendly.
“I mean this is on all our post cards, so it’s one of our most familiar spots," Murphy laughs, "but I do think the community realizes things like getting down into the bowl, you know our population here skews 65-and-older and this is getting difficult not being ADA compliant.”
While the inevitable reconstruction awaits, there are a few performances still left before the bulldozers show up. Mary Chapin Carpenter will close out the season on Saturday night, but Tuesday night it was the final performance of the Chautauqua Symphony Orchestra. People coming to see the show seemed understanding of the looming changes.
“Critically needed. I’m so glad they’re doing it," opined longtime resident Len Katz.
John Hartman and his wife Judye make the trip from Houston, TX every summer. In his words, “It’ll be easier for people to get in and out. I think especially people with limited mobility this place can be a challenge.”
Perhaps Will Mevane from Buffalo, who's visited the Institution grounds many times over the years, put what lies ahead for the Amphitheater in the best perspective. “It’s a sentimentality even for me to know that it will not be the same, but that’s OK," he said. "Things change, and it’s time for the Amphitheater to change as well.”
