Lakewood Playhouse to celebrate 50 years of theater in its Lakewood Towne Center space

Lakewood Playhouse might have begun in 1938, but it celebrates the 50th anniversary of its iconic Lakewood Towne Center theater building Friday. An official ribbon cutting and reception will be followed by a pay-what-you-can performance of the season opener “A Few Good Men” by Aaron Sorkin.

With Friday named Lakewood Playhouse Theatre Day by the City of Lakewood, the theater has reason to celebrate the anniversary. Built in 1965, the playhouse has presented more than 300 productions on both its main stage and Lakewood Institute of Theatre education program. It also has hosted many events by other local groups such as New Muses Theatre and the Lakewood Asian Film Festival. Over the last few years, fundraising and good ticket sales have allowed improvements to seating, lighting, air-conditioning, backstage room and outside covered areas, among other things.

This year’s season includes the theater’s eighth annual live radio show “The Birds,” Shakespeare’s “The Comedy of Errors,” holiday show “Treasure Island,” Tom Stoppard’s “Arcadia,” Arthur Miller’s “Death of a Salesman,” Michael Frayn’s “Noises Off” and the Tony-winning “Avenue Q.”

The ribbon-cutting reception will include food from Carr’s Restaurant, with local actors and officials present.

“We have many other 50th anniversary surprises in store,” says managing director John Munn. “You won’t want to miss a single thing.”

This story was originally published September 15, 2015 at 6:20 AM with the headline "Lakewood Playhouse to celebrate 50 years of theater in its Lakewood Towne Center space."