CAPE PLAYHOUSE--Kicks off 78th Season June 20th-Sept. 10th!

America's longest running professional summer theatre, The Cape Playhouse will celebrate its 78th Anniversary Season starting June 20th and will feature six main-stage productions with performances slated through September 10th. Under the artistic direction of Evans Haile, the summer season will consist of four plays, two musicals, and will be filled with "froth, frolic and adventure!" The six productions will feature a combination of regional premieres as well as some old favorites and are planned to open on the following schedule: June 20th, July 4th, July 18th, August 1st, August 15th and August 29th. Considered by many as one of the most significant and architectural stunning summer playhouses in America, the theatre is located in historic Dennis on Massachusetts's famous Cape Cod.

For over seventy-eight years, the legendary Cape Playhouse has been bringing Broadway actors to Cape Cod. Often referred to as the "Birthplace of the Stars", the Cape Playhouse has attracted a long litany of famous actors since its inception in 1927. The list reads like a veritable 'who's who' of stage and screen. Over the years, the Cape Playhouse has gained a reputation for producing quality, professional entertainment and each year thousands continue to enjoy superb shows at "America's Oldest Professional Summer Theatre."

On summer mornings, the Cape Playhouse Children's Theatre is a terrific way to introduce young people to joys of live theatre. From July 1 through August 26, 2005 the Cape Playhouse Children's Theatre, will present performances on Thursday and Friday mornings in July, and Friday mornings in August. Performances are 9:30 and 11:30 AM with different performers each week. Tickets are $8 and $7; group discounts (15+ persons) are available.

For more information and box office phone toll free—877 385-3911; locally 508-385-3911 or visit the theatre's website at www.capeplayhouse.com. The Cape Playhouse 820 Main Street, Route 6A, Dennis, Massachusetts. Box office opens on May 1st for individual ticket sales and subscriptions are available. Performances are Monday through Saturday at 8PM with matinees on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. Tickets are $45 to $25; group discounts (20+ persons) are available for non-musicals.

The Cape Cod Playhouse History

Now in its 78th Season, the Cape Playhouse is proud to be America's Oldest Professional Summer Theatre.

Californian Raymond Moore spent several summers in Provincetown where he was involved in painting scenery, writing plays and acting in theatre there. His vision, however, was to have a theatre of his own - a smart, sophisticated summer theatre, which would bring Broadway to Cape Cod. So in 1927, he bought a 19th century former Unitarian Meeting House for $200 and had it moved to 3 1/2 acres of pasture land fronting the Old Kings Highway in Dennis and converted it into a theatre. The original pews, now with cushions, still serve as seats.

The opening performance on July 4, 1927 was The Guardsman, starring Basil Rathbone. Over the years, Moore attracted many big name stars from Broadway and the silver screen. Many made their professional stage debuts at the Cape Playhouse. With such stars as Bette Davis (who first worked as an usher), Gregory Peck, Gertrude Lawrence, Lana Turner, Ginger Rogers, Humphrey Bogart, Tallulah Bankhead, Helen Hayes, Julie Harris, and Paulette Goddard, it's no wonder the Playhouse is known as "The Birthplace of the Stars".

During the mid-50s, the Cape Playhouse became home to three educational programs which provided summer classes in all areas of the theatre. Although the programs did not continue after the early 1970s, many young aspiring performers spent their summers here. In 1956, a young student was given a small part in "The Male Animal" starring Henry Fonda. That young student was his daughter, Jane!

The Cape Playhouse as it appears today. Over the years, the Playhouse has undergone many changes and improvements - including the addition of air conditioning. The Raymond Moore Foundation now oversees the 26 acre grounds of the Playhouse, which is also home to the Cape Cinema, the Cape Cod Museum of Art and the Center Stage Cafe. These days, many of the stars still come from Broadway, but many others are more familiar to the public as movie and television stars! Almost every well known star of stage, screen and TV has walked the stage of the Cape Playhouse.

For each season of its over 75 years, the Playhouse has aimed to bring the best performers, favorite and familiar dramatic plays, comedies, mysteries and musicals to the audiences of Cape Cod. The ultimate goal is to guarantee quality, professional entertainment in the form of great theatre.