by Tess Weaver
Since opening night in 1889, when the programs were satin and rose-scented and the region’s first electric lights glowed, the Wheeler Opera House has stood as the crown jewel of Aspen’s arts and cultural scene. When Civil War vet and Macy’s partner and major stockholder Jerome B. Wheeler gifted Aspen a public hall with a proscenium stage, Moroccan leather seats and a turquoise ceiling studded with silver stars, he elevated the town from rustic mining outpost to an early version of today’s sophisticated hub.
The grand opera house has survived fires, mining boom and bust, vacancy and numerous renovations (the most recent happening now ahead of the Wheeler’s January 16 reopening). It has hosted Shakespeare, minstrel shows, vaudeville, burlesque, concerts, ballet, lectures and boxing matches. But a vision led by a new executive director from New York City might bring the Wheeler into a brighter spotlight.
“It’s my responsibility to come in and make an impact,” says Mike Harrington, 45, who moved to Aspen and took the reins as executive director at the Wheeler in September 2024. “I’m most excited about blending the range of my background, my experience as a producer and a presenter, into creating events here that can be shared with the community—and that the community feels some ownership of these events. Our goal is for the Wheeler to be ‘rooted locally, recognized globally.’”
Originally from Iowa (where he fell in love with dance and theater at a young age), Harrington spent the past 27 years in New York and New Jersey. Most recently, he served as executive director and president of TheaterWorksUSA, a company reaching 2 million children around the country, where he successfully negotiated strategic partnerships and expanded the organization’s impact. At NYU Skirball Center, he took on “an underutilized place that wasn’t serving the needs of the university,” his alma mater. He earned a Drama Desk Award in 2014 for Outstanding Unique Theatrical Experience after he diversified the programming and partnered with prestigious organizations like The Public Theater, the New York City Opera and World Music Institute. Using shared resources, he filled the calendar with high-quality programming in an efficient and effective way—just what he plans to do with Aspen’s many organizations. “I’m a big believer in collaboration, not competition—with all the great minds here, we can find ways to come together and create,” he says.
When the Wheeler announced its winter season lineup—including Jerry Seinfeld headlining the Aspen Laugh Festival (March 11-15)—Harrington proved his talents as a programmer. His plan to bring in more comedians returns the opera house to its roots: On opening night more than 130 years ago, theatergoers enjoyed a romantic comic opera called The King’s Fool. The new schedule also includes music (John Oates, Michael Feinstein), dance, film, theater and family-friendly shows.
As a steward for a municipality, Harrington says the City of Aspen-owned Wheeler Opera House will be a year-round venue, utilizing a lobby space called The Vault for offseason programming. A new Wheeler Insiders program for locals will provide presale access and discounted tickets.
“Aspen is a fascinating place,” says Harrington. “I would love for the Wheeler to be the Radio City of the Rockies—a beautiful, historic venue in an incredible town that produces, presents and partners to create the best live entertainment possible.” wheeleroperahouse.com