What Changes Are Coming To Ogunquit Playhouse's Historic Theater?

The legendary Ogunquit Playhouse is setting to jump into a full and dramatic makeover. Bigger then just a facelift, this is going to be a $62 million dollar transformation, according to CBSNews.

Corey Colwell of the land and planning firm, TFMoran told the board, “Our proposal is total reconstruction of the Ogunquit Playhouse.”

The developers showed their plans to the Ogunquit Planning Board to totally reconstruct this century old theatre.

Built in 1937, this Playhouse has been a landmark in Maine’s summer arts community and beyond. People flock from far away to visit the playhouse and witness the magic of the New England arts.

This building has withstood, Maine weather, wind, snow, rain and even hurricanes, it's time for an ambitious upgrade.

A New Chapter for a Maine Landmark

As per the article, the renovation will include a fully rebuilt theater.

The plans include improved sightlines, and more comfortable seating for the audiences as well as a new event space, entry plaza, concessions building, courtyard, updated offices, accessibility upgrades, and better pedestrian access around the property.

Pretty much the entire building will be completely transformed.

A massive part of these plans will focus on creating on-site housing for the actors and staff.

Ogunquit Playhouse via YouTube gave us all a little taste of their plans, below.

Board President Benjamin Auger says,

“Our cast and crew and staff have been making do in facilities that are almost 100 years old and so out of date and so substandard, “We need to do better for them.”

The cast and crew are what make this place alive.

Get this, the playhouse brings in about 100,000 theater-goers each summer. They generate about $21.5 million annually for our Maine economy.

Over the decades, top performers such as Bette Davis, William Shatner, Steve McQueen, and Betty White have graced its stage.

The goal is to preserve the Ogunquit Playhouse’s long running legacy, while also welcoming it into the next century.

Here are just some of the Celebrities who Have Performed at the Ogunquit Playhouse

The Ogunquit Playhouse in Ogunquit, Maine is as legendary as it comes in the theater landscape.

Founded in 1933 as a Summer Stock theater, it quickly became much more than that. The Playhouse has attracted audiences and actors from all over.

Many of those performers over the years are a "Who's Who" from Broadway and Hollywood. Here is a look at just some of the celebrities that have shared the stage in Ogunquit.

The complete list can be found on the Playhouse's website.