Ogunquit Playhouse facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Ogunquit Playhouse
U.S. National Register of Historic Places
Location in Maine Show map of Maine Location in the United States Show map of the United States
Location	10 Main Street (US 1), Ogunquit, Maine
Area	4.1 acres (1.7 ha)
Built	1937
Architect	Wyckoff, Alexander
Architectural style	Colonial Revival
NRHP reference No.	95001458
Added to NRHP	December 14, 1995

The Ogunquit Playhouse is a famous theater located at 10 Main Street in Ogunquit, Maine. It's one of the few remaining "summer stock" theaters that still puts on amazing musical shows. The Playhouse is recognized as a very important historical place because of its founder, Walter J. Hartwig, and how much the theater has helped with performing arts education across the country.

About the Ogunquit Playhouse

The Ogunquit Playhouse puts on many different shows each year, usually from May to October. You can catch performances from Tuesday through Sunday. The people who create these shows, like directors and designers, come from all over the world. Actors are chosen from Broadway and other big theaters in places like New York and Los Angeles. The Playhouse also loves to support new musicals, and they've even had world premieres of shows like Heartbreak Hotel, Mystic Pizza, and Mr. Holland's Opus.

Learn Theatre at the Arts Academy

Learning about theater has been a part of the Playhouse since the 1930s. Walter Hartwig, the founder, used to train young actors. Famous Broadway and regional theater stars taught them. In the 1990s, the Playhouse started a very popular summer camp. Students would spend five days a week in classes and rehearsals. Their hard work ended with a big performance on the main stage!

In 2020, the Playhouse Arts Academy officially began, led by Education Director Joyce Presutti. This academy offers programs and performances throughout the year. Some students from the Academy have even performed in the main stage shows! The Academy keeps growing and finding new and exciting ways to teach theater.

History of the Playhouse

The Ogunquit Playhouse was started in 1933 by Walter and Maude Hartwig. They first opened it in a renovated garage in the center of Ogunquit, Maine. Walter Hartwig was part of a movement called the "Little Theatre Movement" in the 1920s and 30s. He used to organize a yearly theater competition in New York. When the Great Depression made it hard to continue the tournament, Hartwig decided to start the Manhattan Theatre Colony and brought it to Ogunquit.

In 1937, the theater moved to a brand new building at its current spot on Main Street. The Ogunquit Playhouse was special because it was the first, and still is the only, summer theater from that time built just for seasonal shows. After Walter passed away in 1941, Maude continued his work at the Playhouse.

In 1950, John Lane became the general manager. He later owned the Playhouse with his partner, Henry Weller. They worked hard to make the building and grounds better and more modern. Under John Lane's leadership, audiences enjoyed seeing famous stars and top professional actors perform in the best Broadway shows. John Lane retired in 1994 and gave the Playhouse to the Ogunquit Playhouse Foundation. This non-profit group now runs the theater. John Lane passed away in 2000.

In 1999, Roy M. Rogosin became the Producing Artistic Director. He helped the Playhouse start a new chapter. The theater began producing its own shows, designing and building sets, and creating costumes. They also brought back famous actors. The old Manhattan Theatre Colony building was fixed up and became a rehearsal space. At the same time, the Children's Theatre Program started, and it's still going strong today! This program gives kids and teens many chances to learn about theater, both as performers and behind the scenes. In 2006, Bradford Kenney joined as the new Executive Artistic Director. Under his leadership, the theater season grew from 10 weeks to 21 weeks.

The Ogunquit Playhouse celebrated its 75th birthday in 2007 with seven shows. They celebrated 80 years in 2013 and 90 years in 2022, continuing to bring amazing performances to the stage.

Past Performances

Here are some of the shows that have been performed at the Ogunquit Playhouse over the years:

* – World premiere (first time ever performed)

** – Regional premiere (first time performed in this area)

*** – Play, not a musical

Famous Performers

Many well-known actors and singers have performed at the Ogunquit Playhouse. Here are some of them:

• Clay Aiken – Joseph in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (2013)
• Krystina Alabado – Daisy Araújo in Mystic Pizza (2021)
• Clyde Alves – Jerry Mulligan in An American in Paris (2018)
• Lucie Arnaz
• Matthew Ashford – Franklin Hart in 9 to 5 (2012)
• James Barbour – Darryl Van Horne in The Witches of Eastwick (2014)
• Ethel Barrymore
• Anastasia Barzee – Mrs. Wilkinson in Billy Elliot the Musical (2014), Iris Holland in Mr. Holland's Opus (2022)
• Klea Blackhurst – Miss Lemon in The Nutty Professor (2022)
• Steve Blanchard – Julian Marsh in 42nd Street (2019)
• John Bolton – Dr. Frederick Frankenstein in Young Frankenstein (2013, 2021)
• Lisa Brescia – Victoria Grant in Victor/Victoria (2015)
• Meg Bussert – The Mother Abbess in The Sound of Music (2010)
• Patrick Cassidy – Sam Carmichael in Mamma Mia! (2017)
• Maxwell Caulfield – Georges in La Cage aux Folles (2007)
• Jennifer Cody – Joy in Cinderella (2006), Natalie Haller in All Shook Up (2009), Gloria Thorpe in Damn Yankees (2012), Patsy in Monty Python's Spamalot (2021), Sandy Lester in Tootsie (2023)
• Veanne Cox – Helen Chae-Jacobs in Mr. Holland's Opus (2022)
• Bette Davis
• Bradley Dean – Claude Frollo in The Hunchback of Notre Dame (2016), Lt. Dana Holmes in From Here to Eternity (2017)
• Rachel deBenedet – Anna Leonowens in The King and I (2007), Morticia Addams in The Addams Family (2014)
• Emma Degerstedt – Performer in Smokey Joe's Cafe (2018)
• Jeffry Denman – Bobby Child in Crazy for You (2007), Sir Robin in Monty Python's Spamalot (2010), Phil Davis in White Christmas (2015), Rooster Hannigan in Annie (2019)
• Ed Dixon – Max Goldman in Grumpy Old Men (2018)
• Nancy Dussault – Mrs. Higgins in My Fair Lady (2008)
• Jarrod Emick – Tick / Mitzi in Priscilla, Queen of the Desert (2016)
• David Engel – Gomez Addams in The Addams Family (2014), Harry Bright in Mamma Mia! (2017), Bob Mackie / Frank / Robert Altman in The Cher Show (2022)
• Georgia Engel – Mrs. Tottendale in The Drowsy Chaperone (2010)
• Cory English – Max Bialystock in The Producers (2008)
• Barrett Foa – Max Detweiler in The Sound of Music (2023)
• Hunter Foster – Jerry Lukowski in The Full Monty (2007)
• Mo Gaffney – Miss Lynch in Grease (2014)
• Sara Gettelfinger – Alexandra Spofford in The Witches of Eastwick (2014), Star in The Cher Show (2022)
• Anita Gillette – Princess Dragomiroff in Murder on the Orient Express (2019)
• Josh Grisetti – Sir Robin in Monty Python's Spamalot (2021)
• Becky Gulsvig – Elle Woods in Legally Blonde (2011), Doralee Rhodes in 9 to 5 (2012), Millie Dillmount in Thoroughly Modern Millie (2013)
• Valerie Harper – Millicent Winter in Nice Work If You Can Get It (2015)
• Randy Harrison – The Master of Ceremonies in Cabaret (2019)
• Mariette Hartley – Fräulein Schneider in Cabaret (2019)
• Christian Hoff – Sky Masterson in Guys and Dolls (2009)
• Cady Huffman – Miss Sandra in All Shook Up (2009)
• Robyn Hurder – Norma Cassidy in Victor/Victoria (2015) & Karen Holmes in From Here to Eternity (2017)
• Mark Jacoby – John Gustafson in Grumpy Old Men (2018)
• Zachary James – The Monster in Young Frankenstein (2021)
• Tim Jerome – Alfred P. Doolittle in My Fair Lady (2008)
• Mel Johnson Jr. – Harrington Winslow in The Nutty Professor (2022)
• Van Johnson
• Richard Kind – Nathan Detroit in Guys and Dolls (2009)
• Paul Kreppel – Amos Hart in Chicago (2010)
• Carson Kressley – The Man in Chair in The Drowsy Chaperone (2010), Mr. Applegate in Damn Yankees (2012)
• Lorenzo Lamas – The King of Siam in The King and I (2007), Zach in A Chorus Line (2009)
• Ryan Landry – The Stepmother in Cinderella (2006), Edna Turnblad in Hairspray (2007), Roger De Bris in The Producers (2008), Thénardier in Les Misérables (2008)
• Liz Larsen – Miss Adelaide in Guys and Dolls (2009), The Drowsy Chaperone in The Drowsy Chaperone (2010)
• Hal Linden – Grandpa Gustafson in Grumpy Old Men (2018)
• Myrna Loy
• Stanley Wayne Mathis – Lionel, The Royal Steward in Cinderella (2006)
• Jefferson Mays – Henry Higgins in My Fair Lady (2008)
• Andrea McArdle – Sally Bowles in Cabaret (2006), Fantine in Les Misérables (2008), Reno Sweeney in Anything Goes (2016)
• Jeff McCarthy – Dr. Warfield in The Nutty Professor (2022)
• Rue McClanahan – Mother in Crazy for You (2007)
• Eddie Mekka – Wilbur Turnblad in Hairspray (2007), Tevye in Fiddler on the Roof (2008)
• Paolo Montalban – The Prince in Cinderella (2006), Lun Tha in The King and I (2007), Clopin in The Hunchback of Notre Dame (2016)
• Crista Moore – Baroness Elsa Schräder in The Sound of Music (2010)
• Sydney Morton – Esmeralda in The Hunchback of Notre Dame (2016)
• Burke Moses – Mr. Trevor Graydon in Thoroughly Modern Millie (2013)
• Robert Newman – Oliver "Daddy" Warbucks in Annie (2019)
• Christiane Noll – Winifred Banks in Mary Poppins (2014)
• Bill Nolte – Franz Liebkind in The Producers (2008), Jacob / Potiphar / Baker in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (2013)
• Chris Orbach – Bill Meister in Mr. Holland's Opus (2022)
• Vincent Pastore – Nick Valenti in Bullets Over Broadway (2017)
• Jennifer Paz – Kim in Miss Saigon (2011)
• Joel Perez – Tim Travers in Mystic Pizza (2021)
• Stefanie Powers – Norma Desmond in Sunset Boulevard (2010)
• William Powell
• Michele Ragusa – Helen Sinclair in Bullets Over Broadway (2017)
• Steven Rattazzi – Hercule Poirot in Murder on the Orient Express (2019)
• Darren Ritchie – King Marchan in Victor/Victoria (2015)
• Soara-Joye Ross – Elizabeth in Young Frankenstein (2021)
• John Rubinstein – Herr Schultz in Cabaret (2019)
• Gabrielle Ruiz – Anita in West Side Story (2013)
• Michael Rupert – Professor Callahan in Legally Blonde (2011)
• John Schuck – Colonel Pickering in My Fair Lady (2008)
• Angie Schworer – Irene Roth in Crazy for You (2007), Roxie Hart in Chicago (2010), Tanya in Mamma Mia! (2017), Lily St. Regis in Annie (2019), Georgia Holt / Lucille Ball in The Cher Show (2022)
• Peter Scolari – Harold Hill in The Music Man (2011)
• Keala Settle – The Narrator in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (2013)
• Coleen Sexton – Brooke Wyndham in Legally Blonde (2011), Marion / Diva in Priscilla, Queen of the Desert (2016)
• Charles Shaughnessy – King Arthur in Monty Python's Spamalot (2010, 2021)
• Kate Shindle – Sally Bowles in Cabaret (2019)
• Megan Sikora – Val in A Chorus Line (2009)
• Timothy John Smith – Jud Fry in Oklahoma! (2018)
• Rex Smith – Captain Georg von Trapp in The Sound of Music (2010)
• Dale Soules – Grandma in Billy Elliot the Musical (2014)
• Edward Staudenmayer – Del Delmonico in Breaking Up Is Hard to Do (2008), Franklin Hart in 9 to 5 (2012)
• Sally Struthers – Mona Stangley in The Best Little ... in Texas (2005), Miss Dolly Gallagher Levi in Hello, Dolly! (2006), Jeanette Burmeister in The Full Monty (2007), Golde in Fiddler on the Roof (2008), Mayor Matilda Hyde in All Shook Up (2009), Matron "Mama" Morton in Chicago (2010), Paulette Buonufonte in Legally Blonde (2011), Louise Seger in Always, Patsy Cline (2012), Roz in 9 to 5 (2012), Mrs. Meers in Thoroughly Modern Millie (2013), Felicia Gabriel in The Witches of Eastwick (2014), Duchess Estonia Dulworth in Nice Work If You Can Get It (2015), Evangeline Harcourt in Anything Goes (2016), Eden Brent in Bullets Over Broadway (2017), Martha Watson in White Christmas (2017), Punky Olander in Grumpy Old Men (2018), Maggie Jones in 42nd Street (2019), Miss Hanningan in Annie (2019), Frau Blucher in Young Frankenstein (2021), Rita Marshall in Tootsie (2023)
• Jane Summerhays – Jacqueline in La Cage aux Folles (2007)
• Renée Taylor – Esther in Breaking Up Is Hard to Do (2008)
• Leslie Uggams – The Fairy Godmother in Cinderella (2006)
• Brenda Vaccaro – Millicent Winter in Nice Work If You Can Get It (2015)
• Cindy Williams – Hostess in Menopause The Musical (2019)
• Rachel York – The Lady of the Lake in Monty Python's Spamalot (2010), Dorothy Brock in 42nd Street (2019)
• Josh Young – Marius in Les Misérables (2008), Tateh in Ragtime (2017)
• Stuart Zagnit – Harvey in Breaking Up Is Hard to Do (2008)
• Adrian Zmed – Harold Nichols in The Full Monty (2007)

Awards and Recognitions

The Ogunquit Playhouse has won several awards for its excellent productions and contributions to theater.

New England Theatre Conference (NETC) Awards

• Moss Hart Award for West Side Story (2013)
• Moss Hart Award for Best Professional Production in New England for The Music Man (2011)
• Award for Outstanding Achievement in American Theatre (2010)

BroadwayWorld.com Maine Awards

The Playhouse has won many awards from BroadwayWorld.com Maine, including:

Billy Elliot the Musical (2014)

• Best Musical
• Best Actor in a Play - Noah Parets
• Best Choreography - Adam Pelty
• Best Dance Performance in a Musical - Noah Parets
• Best Director (play or musical) - BT McNicholl
• Best Ensemble Performance in a Play or Musical
• Best Vocal Performance in a Musical - Noah Parets

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (2013)

• Best Musical
• Best Actor in a Musical - Clay Aiken
• Best Actress in a Musical - Keala Settle
• Best Choreography - Jayme McDaniel
• Best Director (play or musical) - Jayme McDaniel
• Best Costume Design (play or musical) - Dustin Cross
• Best Ensemble Performance in a Play or Musical
• Best Lighting and/or Sound Design - Eric Martin
• Best Scenic Design (play or musical) - Geof Dolan
• Best Vocal Performance in a Musical - Clay Aiken

Eco-maine Awards

• Eco-Excellence Community Award for the town of Ogunquit

Images for kids

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  The Ogunquit Playhouse building