The Coaster Theatre Playhouse Celebrates 50 Years of Community Theatre
Dust off your platform shoes, grab your cool threads and head to the Coaster Theatre Playhouse on Wednesday, June 29 to celebrate the theatre’s 50th birthday with a day of entertainment, groovy tunes from the 1970s, costume contest and silent auction.
The open-house party runs from 2 to 5 p.m. in the theatre’s courtyard and from 6 to 9 p.m. in the theatre.
In 1972, Maurie Clark, purchased The Coaster building, which housed a roller skating rink, and, after an extensive remodel, presented Cannon Beach with the Coaster Theatre Playhouse.
The Portland State University Summer Stock Company opened at the newly remodeled theatre on June 29, 1972. That winter, Cannon Beach residents, with D.K. Smith and Bill Steidel at the helm, put on the first community production of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol. This began a tradition of producing community plays and musicals throughout the year for over the past 50 years. Generations of North Coast residents and visitors have participated on and off stage at the Coaster Theatre, often creating lifelong friendships and a few marriages.
In 2001, after Clark’s death, the Coaster Theatre became a nonprofit organization that continues to be dedicated to presenting live theatre and events that engage residents and visitors of all ages.
The Coaster Theatre is celebrating all year with a selection of shows and playwrights that are audience favorites. The theatre is also offering monthly special event concerts to celebrate this momentous anniversary. Details about the 50th birthday party, plays, musicals and special events are at coastertheatre.com
Upcoming shows and events at the theatre:
Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Orient Express, July 6 – Aug. 6
Auditions for Gramercy Ghost, July 25 & 26
Clue: The Musical, Aug. 10 – Sept. 10
Photos: Coaster Theatre Playhouse after remodel in 1972, Coaster Theatre Playhouse fall of 2021
