Theatre Organ Society of the Delaware Valley (TOSDV) – Upcoming Performances
The Theatre Organ Society of the Delaware Valley (TOSDV) is a non-profit organization which uses the club’s Wurlitzer theatre pipe organ housed in The Colonial Theatre, 227 Bridge St, Phoenixville PA, to provide popular 20th century musical standards in concert and accompaniment for silent films of Harold Lloyd, Charlie Chaplin, Buster Keaton, Clara Bow and countless others. Under the skilled hands of the organists, music from Broadway, Hollywood and the great composers like Irving Berlin, Rodgers and Hart, Fats Waller and hundreds more is registered with thrilling sounds from the organ’s palette of tonal colors and played in varying rhythms to bring smiles to the faces in the audience. One of our artists is blind since birth and amazes your emotions with her breadth of repertoire. Silent films are brought to life with the lush and sometimes brassy voices from the 24 ranks of pipes and the untuned percussion sounds of drums, wood blocks and triangles.
Below is a list upcoming programs to which members of local senior groups may want to attend via a bus trip. The senior groups might also consider a meal at one of the many eateries within a block or two of the theatre. Our programs are typically on a Sunday afternoon from 2:00 until 4:00pm. Tickets run from $10 – $15 per person. Buses can drop off and pick up at the marquee….depending on warm weather street closure for outdoor dining. If so closed, it is a flat half block walk to the theatre which is ADA inside.
Saturday, May 11 at 7:00pm- Harold Lloyd in “Speedy”, his last and best silent feature film. This movie features accompanist Brett Miller. This is NOT a TOSDV production, however the theatre uses our chapter instrument on occasion.
Sunday, June 23 at 2:00pm- Ian Fraser concertizes with “The First Fifty Years of Movie Music”. His playing is original and exciting. At twenty-two years of age, one would think he’s been playing the organ since the day he was born! See the Colonial movie listings for Ian’s own advertisements.
Sunday, September 15 at 2:00pm- “The History of Phoenixville and a tribute to 121 years of entertainment at the Colonial Theatre”. Glenn Hough will accompany Buster Keaton’s “One Week” and a ‘before and after’ journey around the Phoenixville area in photos. Two different styles of accompaniment of images projected on the big screen. Candi Carley-Roth will test your emotions with pre and post-show theatre organ stylings and possibly something extra. TOSDV and The Colonial Theatre team up for this fund raiser for the Phoenixville Area Historical Society.
Sunday, October 27 at 2:00pm- Glenn Hough returns to accompany the Hallowe’en fright film “Nosferatu”. This has become an annual film event for TOSDV. German film making of the 1920s is quite different from the NYC and Hollywood-made movies. A high definition, tinted picture, BluRay disc is projected to enhance the scare factor in the sometimes-exaggerated human expression of silent films.
Sunday, December 8 at 2:00pm- Candi returns with cherished holiday music on the organ and the local female barber shoppers contribute their unique a capella stylings. Contrasting presentations in programming which was featured almost a hundred years ago on the Colonial vaudeville stage.
Check The Colonial Theatre website for promotional information. Special ticketing (must be TOSDV board approved) might be available from the theatre and TOSDV for bus groups. Visit Films » The Colonial Theatre for more information.
