Historic Pocono Playhouse Gutted by Fire

PA's The Morning Call reports the sad news that an early morning fire ripped through and destroyed the Pocono Playhouse in Monroe County early Friday, leaving nothing behind but the burnt wooden frame of historic playhouse.

The Barrett Township Fire Department was sent to the fire about 12:55 a.m. after a resident called the 911 center to report smoke around The Playhouse, according to the Monroe County Communications Center.

The Playhouse was located in Mountainhome on Playhouse Lane at the junction of routes 390 and 191, about a half-mile from the fire station on Route 191. Ralph Miller owns the Pocono Playhouse as well as the Bucks County Playhouse in New Hope, PA. The Pocono Playhouse had recently finished its 2009 season.

According to the Call, the 500-seat playhouse was built in 1947 by USO show manager Rowena Stevens, who wanted to entertain soldiers returning to civilian life. The theatre was styled after the kind that the Army had built during those years it was created.

No one was injured, and the fire is under investigation. To read the full story click here.