Theatre UP has paused plans to make the Littleton Opera House its permanent venue

LITTLETON — Theatre UP has paused plans to make the Littleton Opera House its permanent venue due to a perceived lack of town support. The uncertainty follows a meeting with municipal officials on Tuesday to explore a long-term lease extension with the town for Opera House use. The current lease runs through May. In a statement, Theatre UP representatives said they were told by municipal officials that a long-term partnership was unlikely due to the “current climate” and Theatre UP’s affiliation with the LGBTQ+ community. That includes the theatrical company’s decision to stage LGBTQ+ themed musical La Cage aux Folles on Nov. 3-12. The meeting comes weeks after Select Board member Carrie Gendreau drew vocal opposition for her criticism of LGBTQ+ murals on a private building along Main Street, raising fears about town-sponsored censorship.