A grand opening

Published 11:21 pm Friday, September 8, 2006

Lee Rothenberg remembers when his grandfather ran the Marks Rothenberg department store in downtown Meridian more than 80 years ago, but he never dreamed it would be restored to the marvelous center it is today.

“It’s wonderful to return and see the center open and full of people,” Rothenberg said. “The Riley brothers did a marvelous job.”

Rothenberg, the grandson of Levi Rothenberg, who ran what was then Mississippi’s largest department store, was one of a little less than 1,000 people who attended the opening of the Mississippi State University Riley Center for Education and Performing Arts on Friday.

Rothenberg, who lives in Longboat Key, Fla., with his wife, Frances, attended Friday’s opening with his daughters, Joanne Rothenberg and her husband, Bob Steinberg, of Long Island, N.Y., and Linda Rothenberg of New York City.

The much-anticipated opening of the center was by all accounts a success. Those in attendance awed at the renovated center’s mix of modern technology combined with Victorian decorations.

The opera house, restored to its original beauty, was the perfect setting for Meridianites, visitors, contributors and everyone in between to celebrate a proud moment of Meridian’s history. And while the crowd was thick and space was limited, those in attendance showed excitement and pride as they took in the center’s beauty and grandeur.

“I wanted to be the first to come,” said Jo Nell Stringer of Bay Springs. “I’m having a good time and it’s just beautiful.”

Stringer, who attended the event with her friend Gwen Reeves of Laurel, said they often come to Meridian to see plays at the Meridian Little Theater, but they have never seen anything like the MSU Riley Center.

The center’s opening began with a black tie reception and dinner followed with a concert by Aaron Neville. The theatre’s intimate space proved the perfect backdrop to the evening’s celebration.

Neville’s voice filled the 150-year-old theatre with soothing sounds, and his rendition of “Dock of the Bay” put concert-goers into the groove.

Before the concert, Meridian native Sela Ward spoke to the crowd and took a moment to remember two Meridian legends who wanted so much to see the center open: Dr. Richard Riley and G.V. “Sonny” Montgomery.

Ward also said she was shocked that everyone was so calm.

“The last time people were sitting in those seats and a performer was on this stage was 1927,” she said. “Now Mississippi has an outlet for new talent.”

Dennis Sankovich, the center’s executive director, said the center has an ambitious schedule planned for its opening season, but he is confident the center will be a success.

“We just figured out where all the light switches are this week,” Sankovich joked. “But ‘The Lady’ is truly awake and we are here to celebrate her rebirth.”

Doc Fogelsong, president of Mississippi State University, said Friday’s opening was a celebration of the teamwork that resulted in this wonderful opportunity.

U.S. Rep. Chip Pickering spoke during the dinner and told those in attendance that now Mississippi has a stage.

“Mississippi has the best storytellers, the best performers and the best writers,” Pickering said. “This is the place that will spark the imagination of our children.”