A Life Reimagined: The George Masa Story

Film + Q&A with Filmmaker Paul Bonesteel

A Life Reimagined is a new documentary about George Masa, the Japanese immigrant and photographer whose work helped lead to the creation of the Appalachian Trail and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

This screening will be followed by a Q&A with filmmaker Paul Bonesteel, who is based in Asheville, North Carolina. Bonesteel is known for documentaries that explore American history and culture, including The Day Carl Sandburg Died for PBS’s American Masters.

This Sneak Peek Screening is presented courtesy of the filmmaker and in cooperation with the Appalachian Trail Museum in honor of the Appalachian Trail Conservancy’s 100th Anniversary and with support from the Jefferson Arts Council.

Admission is Pay-What-You-Can.

General admission. Seating is limited. Advance purchase encouraged. Doors open 30 minutes before showtime.

Popcorn, candy, soft drinks available for purchase (no outside food or drinks please).

A Shepherdstown Film Society Selection

Wicked Little Letters (2023)

Director: Thea Sharrock

A 1920s English seaside town bears witness to a farcical and occasionally sinister scandal in this riotous mystery comedy. Based on a stranger than fiction true story, WICKED LITTLE LETTERS follows two neighbors: deeply conservative local Edith Swan (Olivia Colman) and rowdy Irish migrant Rose Gooding (Jessie Buckley). When Edith and fellow residents begin to receive wicked letters full of unintentionally hilarious profanities, foul-mouthed Rose is charged with the crime. The anonymous letters prompt a national uproar, and a trial ensues. However, as the town’s women – led by Police Officer Gladys Moss (Anjana Vasan) – begin to investigate the crime themselves, they suspect that something is amiss, and Rose may not be the culprit after all.

Post-film discussion: Facilitated discussion follows the film for those who wish to stay. Discussion leader will be Dianne Roman

This screening made possible by the generous sponsorship of Diane Blust.

Year Released: 2023

Rating: R (strong language)

Runtime: 100 minutes

General admission (“pay what you can”)

The historic Shepherdstown Opera House is a cozy vaudeville-style theater that seats 100 — advance reservations encouraged. Doors open 30 minutes before showtime. Online reservations end 1 hour before showtime. Popcorn, candy, soft drinks, beer & wine available for purchase (no outside food or drinks please). Lobby, theater & restroom are wheelchair accessible.

World’s Most Scenic River Journeys: The Potomac River

FREE film + discussion event

Donations accepted at the door

100% of donations will go to local nonprofit Town Run Watershed group

From its headwaters in West Virginia to its estuary in Maryland’s Chesapeake Bay, the Potomac River was a frontline during the Civil War. On the banks of the river at Harpers Ferry, a federal armory was raided by abolitionist John Brown in 1859. Passing through Washington D.C. and the national monuments along the Tidal Basin, the journey ends at George Washington’s Mount Vernon estate in Virginia.

Film is 50 minutes with brief presentations and audience discussion to follow.

General admission. Doors open 30 minutes before showtime

Popcorn, candy, soft drinks available for purchase (no outside food or drinks please)

This screening of World’s Most Scenic River Journeys: The Potomac River is made possible by Potomac Riverkeeper Network and the Shepherdstown Opera House.

More information: 

Potomac Riverkeeper Network

Town Run Watershed group

A timeless movie, with a timeless message, It’s a Wonderful Life is a perfect movie to introduce to the next generation or to see with friends this season in beautiful Shepherdstown.

We will be screening the original black-and-white version of this film which is in the public domain.

Run time: 130 minutes

General admission

The historic Shepherdstown Opera House is cozy vaudeville-style theater that seats 100 — advance reservations encouraged. Doors open 30 minutes before showtime. Online reservations end 1 hour before showtime. Popcorn, candy, soft drinks, beer & wine available for purchase (no outside food or drinks please). Lobby, theater & restroom are wheelchair accessible.

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If your plans change, please email the box office (Contact@OperaHouseLive.com) so we can free up seats for other patrons.

“Rounding Third”

A play by Richard Dresser

Presented by the Town Run Theater Company

Artistic Director: Joe Yates

ROUNDING THIRD is the tumultuous journey of two Little League coaches through an entire season, from their first tentative meeting to the climactic championship game. The audience is the stand-in for the team, so the coaches speak directly to the audience about competition, character, punctuality, and the importance of wearing the right equipment. This is a play that was first produced to rave reviews at the Contemporary American Theater Festival in Shepherdstown. It’s a funny, family-friendly show, suitable for all ages.

Don is the tough, blue-collar, win-at-all-costs veteran coach whose son is the star pitcher. Michael is a newcomer both to the town and to baseball. He’s a corporate executive, or lacky, depending on one’s perspective, who agrees to be Don’s assistant because he wants a special activity with his son, who’s never played baseball before.

Despite their differences, Michael and Don form an uneasy alliance for the benefit of the team. And over the course of exhilarating victories, heartbreaking defeats, and interminable rain-outs, the two men battle over how to lead the team. Michael believes that the job of the coaches is to shield the kids from the intense pressure of competition while making sure everyone has a good time. Don thinks they should be teaching the kids how to win.

By the end of the play, Don’s personal life has come crashing down around him and he’s forced to see both his son and the team in a different light. And Michael must confront an unfamiliar but powerful sensation: he really wants to win.

General Admission, Recommended for all ages

Advance purchase strongly recommended to ensure selection of performance.

Ticket Prices (including taxes and ticketing fees):

Advance Purchase: $23.30 ($20 ticket plus 7% sales tax & ticketing fees)

At Door Purchase: $28.65 ($25 ticket plus 7% sales tax & ticketing fees)

Pay-What-You-Can Performance: Friday, January 9

Doors open 30 minutes before showtime.

The historic Shepherdstown Opera House is a cozy theater that seats a maximum of 100 patrons— advance ticket purchase encouraged. Beer, wine, soft drinks and snacks for sale during the performance (ID required for beer & wine purchase, no outside food or drinks please). Lobby, theater & restroom are wheelchair accessible.

“A Doll’s House”

A play by Henrik Ibsen

Presented by the Town Run Theater Company

Artistic Director: Joe Yates

Company Members: Joe Yates, Homer Speaker, Emily Wanger, Sarah Ward and Richard Yates

Our production of Henrik Ibsen’s timeless classic about self-discovery and independence is inspired by the 2022 Broadway revival, which stripped the stage of all scenery and props, smashing the boundary between the 19th century and today. The play follows Nora Helmer as she begins to question the roles imposed on her by society and family—setting the stage for one of theater’s most famous exits.

General Admission – All Ages - Advance purchase strongly recommended to ensure availability

Ticket Prices (including taxes and ticketing fees):

Advance Purchase: $23.30 ($20 ticket plus 7% sales tax & ticketing fees)

At Door Purchase: $28.65 ($25 ticket plus 7% sales tax & ticketing fees)

Pay-What-You-Can Performance: Friday, April 10

Doors open 30 minutes before showtime.

The historic Shepherdstown Opera House is a cozy theater that seats a maximum of 100 patrons— advance ticket purchase encouraged. Beer, wine, soft drinks and snacks for sale during the performance (ID required for beer & wine purchase, no outside food or drinks please). Lobby, theater & restroom are wheelchair accessible.

“We Will Not Be Silent”

A play by David Meyers

Presented by the Town Run Theater Company

Artistic Director: Joe Yates

Company Members: Joe Yates, Homer Speaker, Emily Wanger, Sarah Ward and Richard Yates

Based on the true story of Sophie Scholl and the White Rose resistance group, this powerful drama explores the courage of young people who risked everything to speak out against Nazi tyranny in World War II Germany. The play had its world premiere in 2017 at the Contemporary American Theater Festival, and was later pulled from circulation by the playwright when he felt it was being commercialized. We have obtained special permission directly from the playwright to bring this play back to Shepherdstown, marking the debut performance of the rewritten script.  

General Admission – All Ages - Advance purchase strongly recommended to ensure availability

Ticket Prices (including taxes and ticketing fees):

Advance Purchase: $23.30 ($20 ticket plus 7% sales tax & ticketing fees)

At Door Purchase: $28.65 ($25 ticket plus 7% sales tax & ticketing fees)

Pay-What-You-Can Performance: Friday, May 29

Doors open 30 minutes before showtime.

The historic Shepherdstown Opera House is a cozy theater that seats a maximum of 100 patrons— advance ticket purchase encouraged. Beer, wine, soft drinks and snacks for sale during the performance (ID required for beer & wine purchase, no outside food or drinks please). Lobby, theater & restroom are wheelchair accessible.