By Patricia Beech-
Adams County will soon be home to one of America’s best known national landmarks, the iconic Showboat Majestic.
The 85 foot-long floating theater has been a major attraction on Cincinnati’s riverfront landscape since the 1960’s.
Built in 1923, the Showboat Majestic and her companion stern-wheel riverboat, The Attaboy, traveled up and down the Ohio River in a bygone era, stopping in towns along the way to give live performances to audiences eager for entertainment.
The ship was recently purchased by Joe and Cortnee Brumley of Winchester, Ohio and will soon become a permanent feature moored on the Ohio River next to Moyer Winery on State Rte. 52 west of Manchester.
The Brumley’s will also moor their Twin Island touring ship, the AttaBoy II, at the same location. Both ships will be visible from the Scenic Byway.
“It’s an ideal situation,” Brumley told the Defender in an exclusive interview. “Moyer is an acclaimed winery and restaurant where local people and out-of-county visitors can enjoy a meal and fine wine. It will certainly add to the experience of seeing a show on this historic production vessel.”
Brumley is currently working out the final details with Moyer owners, Ken and Kimberly Smith, who have agreed thus far to provide an easement and accommodate parking for Majestic visitors.
“We’re very excited about this opportunity for Moyer and for Adams County,” Ken Smith said. “Having the Majestic docked here will definitely increase traffic to our area.”
Brumley expects to move the Majestic in early May when the river’s annual flood season ends.
Declared a National Landmark in December 1989, the Majestic was the last floating theater to be built in the U.S.
Brumley says the 96-year-old ship is in tiptop condition.
“Every light bulb works,” he says. “The restrooms are functioning, the fire suppression system is up to code, and the theater seating, stage lighting, and computer systems are all in tact.”
Several famous actors, like Sarah Jessica Parker and Kevin Kline, have performed on the Majestic’s stage, in addition to drama students from Indiana University, Kent State University, and Hiram College.
Cincinnati Conservatory of Music alumni have also reached out to the Brumley’s offering their support for the project.
“They’ve done countless, notable productions aboard the Majestic during its stay in Cincinnati.” says Brumley. “They love this vessel and want to see it succeed in its new home.”
The sale of the Majestic is nothing short of an answered prayer for the struggling river town of Manchester where two coal-fired power plants were closed in June 2018, leaving the village and county short millions of dollars in tax revenues.
The Brumleys initially considered mooring the Majestic in Manchester next to Riverfront Park, but the plan was nixed by the Army Corps of Engineers because it could potentially interfere with barge traffic on the river.
In 2017 the Brumleys purchased the CT McFarland, a sternwheel- powered riverboat that served as the official riverboat for Tall Stacks in Cincinnati. They planned to bring the ship to Adams County to offer public tours of the Twin Islands. Brumley said they were developing plans for a launch area and dock when Liz Lafferty informed them the Majestic was up for auction.
“The stars aligned when The Majestic went up for sale,” he says. “Our ship is strikingly similar to The Atta Boy, so we changed her named to The Atta Boy II and we’ll moor her next to the Majestic so we can make this vision a reality.”
The Brumleys are working closely with the local Performing Arts Council and the Ohio Historical Society to create a unique experience for the Majestic’s visitors.
“We’ll play movies when it’s slow, but we want live productions because that’s going to attract people to the winery, and to our Twin Island tours on board the Atta Boy II,” says Brumley. “If the Majestic can sustain herself, and attract visitors to the area, then I consider that a recipe for success.”
For more information, go to showboatmajestic.org, follow the link to the GoFundMe page.
