Cape Playhouse

Jeremy Morse who plays Barnaby kindly volunteered to drive the three hours to Cape Cod on our day off so that we could attend the first performance of HELLO, DOLLY! starring our gorgeous friend, Tony-winner Beth Leavel at the legendary Cape Playhouse in Dennis, Massachusetts. This was the summer stock theatre run at one stage by Richard Aldrich, Gertrude Lawrence's husband and where she made many appearances.

 

“Bette Davis began her career here as an usher, and Humphrey Bogart, Henry Fonda and Gregory Peck all honed their skills here before taking Hollywood by storm. Already a superstar in the 1950s, Tallulah Bankhead arrived, pet leopards in tow, for her Dennis engagements. Actress Shirley Booth, star of the 1960s sitcom “Hazel,” performed here often late in her career, during the 1970s; she bequeathed to the playhouse her 1953 Oscar (for best actress in the role of Lola Delaney in Come Back, Little Sheba).”

 

 

 

And look who else has done a play here! 

 

Jeremy's friend Erik Mann also played Barnaby in DOLLY. You can see why they've often been cast as a team in previous shows. I think a BOYS FROM SYRACUSE revival is in order!

Beth was fantastic, of course. A cross between Ann Miller and Shirley Bassey!

 

This gazebo in the grounds was aglow as we left the theatre.