The opera house will become the living room of the “County Home.”

When asked, “Why are the Grasse River Players (GRP) spending so much time and effort on a story on people who were poor and lived 100 years ago,” Karen Wells, a GRP actress in the docu-drama “Spirit Whispers on the Grasse” said, “people should not be thrown away. All lives are important.”

“When we say their names and identify them, we are showing respect for people who loved, lived and worked here,” she said. “By describing the struggles that shaped their lives, we can learn from them and recognize our own connection to them.”

Mary H. Egan, Art Johnson and Elaine Kuracina, members of Grasse River Players, researched the Canton archives at the Silas Wright House and historical records.

At Canton Historian Linda Casserly’s office, St Lawrence University students and community folks like Steven Sauter contributed with stories they found about the Canton Home residents.

The result is the docu-drama with music. The play includes poorhouse facts presented through the character of Dr. Shea (the real Poorhouse Doc), a peek into the poorhouse staff activities and the spirits who tell their stories.

Elaine Kuracina is the stage director and Barbara Burdick is the music director.

Tickets are by donation for the Pickens Hall restoration project. The venue is handicap accessible.

For additional information, call 268-9517.