Gateway Playhouse facts for kids

Gateway Playhouse from the parking lot, including the original barn.

The exit on South Country Road, where the main entrance can be seen.

The Gateway is a special place for live shows in Bellport, New York. It's also known as The Gateway Playhouse or the Performing Arts Center of Suffolk County. You can find it at 215 South Country Road. This theater is the oldest professional theater on Long Island. It's even known as one of the best summer theaters in the whole country!

History of The Gateway

How The Gateway Began

In 1941, a man named Harry C. Pomeran bought a big farm in Bellport, New York. He wanted to turn it into a hotel. Harry and his wife, Libby, changed the farm into a fun resort. It was a place for people to stay during their summer visits to Long Island.

Their three children, Sally, David, and Ruth, helped out a lot. They planted vegetables, washed dishes, and served food. They even milked their family cow, Daisy! The farm's barn was home to Daisy and many chickens. It also stored hay and corn. A windmill helped pump water from a deep well for the family.

From Farm to Theater

The Pomeran children loved to entertain the guests. They put on shows and skits. The family soon realized that the old barn had a different, exciting future. It was meant to be a theater!

The Gateway's theater story began in 1950. Their first show was Taming of the Shrew. The old barn was changed into a theater because so many people wanted to see plays there.

Growing into a Professional Theater

By the 1960s, The Gateway became a professional theater company. This meant they had full-time actors and staff. A new theater building was built that could seat 500 people. The Gateway also started teaching acting classes. Children and adults in the area could learn how to perform. They also put on special Children's Theater shows in the summer.

In 2011, The Gateway Playhouse and its Acting School joined together. They formed a non-profit group called the Performing Arts Center of Suffolk County. This is the official name for The Gateway today.

Famous Shows and Performers

Many great shows have been performed at The Gateway. In 1992, they put on Once on This Island with actor Norm Lewis. In 2011, they staged Sunset Boulevard. A 2016 production of Anything Goes featured Andrea McArdle.

Every fall, the theater changes into a spooky place. It becomes the Haunted Playhouse, which is a fun event for Halloween!

What Shows Can You See?

The Gateway puts on many different kinds of shows. They have musicals, plays, and special events. You can see classic stories and new productions. They also have shows just for kids!

*Links to individual productions incoming