Wooster

Wooster has a population of around 25,000. Its historic downtown has over a hundred and thirty stores, restaurants, a movie theatre, parks, library and courthouse. One can walk from one end to another in half an hour or so, and enjoy the sort of relaxed, friendly atmosphere that is hard to find in larger cities. Although there are no national retailers (Walmart, Lowes, McDonalds, etc) in the downtown area, these can all be found in their own separate space, about three miles north of downtown.

http://www.wooster-wayne.com/ provides general information, but we focus here on an institution that we feel might interest our visitors, namely, the Ohio Light Opera. This celebrated company is owned and operated by the College of Wooster and is one of Ohio’s acknowledged cultural jewels. It presents seven or eight productions in full repertory, in a nine-week summer season that attracts more than 22,000 patrons annually. Full information and schedules are given at http://olo.wooster.edu/index.php.

We have sampled light opera in many cities around the world, but the company’s productions, particularly of Gilbert and Sullivan, are the most enjoyable we have ever attended. The spirit is always true to the original, never straining to “modernize” the libretto or setting, and the orchestra and the singers are exceptionally fine.