The year was 1938-1939. The minimum wage was first established. Hitler marched into Austria after signing a sketchbook for Indiana Jones. Elliot Gould was born, as were Frank Langella, Tommy Chong ... and the Lakewood Playhouse. Visiting Lakewood Playhouse's current digs, one imagines how lucky the troupe was to find space in the Lakewood Towne Center. Actually, though, the theater predates the mall: it was built in 1965 on then-vacant land purchased by the Lakewood Arts Foundation. In celebration of its 75th year, the Lakewood Playhouse will tempt fate by opening Joseph Kesselring's murder comedy Arsenic and Old Lace, which also debuted during the 1938-1939 season. The play will be preceded by a number of free community events, starting with an anniversary ribbon cutting at 4:30 p.m. and the civic proclamation of "Lakewood Playhouse Day" at 5:30. A silent auction begins with a wine and cheese reception at 6 p.m. (courtesy of 21 Cellars and Carrs), which continues until a live auction at intermission. Items up for bid include signed Broadway programs and memorabilia, plus a glass sculpture courtesy of the Museum of Glass. At Lakewood Playhouse, community is synonymous with family. The company is already looking forward to season 76 ... and beyond. So here's to an epic centennial in 2038!
Read Christian Carvajal's full feature on the Lakewood Playhouse in the Music and Culture section.
75TH CELEBRATION + ARSENIC AND OLD LACE, 4:30 p.m., Lakewood Playhouse, 5729 Lakewood Towne Center Blvd. SW, Lakewood, $19-$25, 253.588.0042
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