Theatre By The Sea

==Theatre By The Sea== Theatre By The Sea, located at 364 Cards Pond Road in Wakefield, Rhode Island, is a historic playhouse recognized on the National Register of Historic Places. The theatre has a storied past, with various transformations since its inception in the early 20th century. ===History=== The property was originally purchased by the Tyler family in the early 1920s. After becoming a widow, Alice Tyler converted the property into a summer camp for girls. However, the Great Depression prompted her to repurpose the barn into a theatre to create jobs and secure a future for her children. The theatre officially opened on August 7, 1933, with a production of "Strictly Dynamite." The first season featured four plays over four weeks, with one play making its way to New York. In 1938, the theatre was taken over by a Yale Cooperative, but it was soon hit by a hurricane on September 2, which caused significant damage. Repairs led to the expansion of the theatre, including the addition of a balcony. The theatre remained active until 1941 but closed during World War II. The post-war era marked the theatre's most glamorous period, becoming a "star-system house" with the opening show "Dream Girl" starring Judy Holliday. Notable stars such as Tallulah Bankhead, Mae West, Groucho Marx, and Marlon Brando graced the stage during this time. After the 1958 season, the Bontecou family acquired the property and leased it sporadically. Plans for demolition emerged in 1966, but Tommy Brent, a former publicist for the theatre, intervened and saved it. Under his management, the theatre reopened on June 23, 1967, and thrived for twenty-two years. In 1988, FourQuest Entertainment, led by Laura Harris, Renny Serre, and Richard Ericson, took over after extensive renovations and produced high-quality summer theatre until 2003. The theatre went dark again until 2007 when entrepreneur Bill Hanney purchased the property. Hanney and his producing partners quickly mounted a production of "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum," reopening the historic venue on August 8, 2007. Today, Theatre By The Sea continues to produce a successful annual four-musical subscription season, complemented by a children’s theatre and concert series. ===Land Acknowledgement=== Theatre By The Sea acknowledges the Indigenous Narragansett People, recognizing that the land it occupies was once their ancestral territory. The organization is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion and strives to incorporate Indigenous perspectives into its productions and teams. ===Current Operations=== Theatre By The Sea offers a variety of shows and events, including musicals, concerts, and children's shows. Some of its past productions include "My Way," "Beautiful: The Carole King Musical," "The Bodyguard," "Jersey Boys," and many others. The theatre also provides opportunities for employment, auditions, and community engagement. The organization faced challenges during the Coronavirus pandemic, which led to a temporary closure, but it has since continued to serve as a cultural hub in Rhode Island. Theatre By The Sea remains a beloved destination for theatre enthusiasts, with a commitment to presenting high-quality entertainment. ==External Links== * [http://www.theatrebythesea.com Official Website] * [mailto:boxoffice.tbtsgmail.com Email Contact] ==References== * Cotter, Betty J. "History of the Theatre By The Sea." Special to The Journal. * Theatre By The Sea's official website and historical archives. [[Category:Theatres in Rhode Island]] [[Category:National Register of Historic Places in Rhode Island]]