undefined
Posts
undefined
Followers
Ogunquit Playhouse to Undergo $62M “Total Reconstruction”
By Lizzy Snyder,
2026-02-12
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“Our cast and crew and staff have been making do in facilities that are almost 100 years old and so out of date and so substandard, “We need to do better for them.”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.
Ed Begley Jr.
Begley has been in countless movies, television and stage performances. He may be best known for his role in the television show, "St Elsewhere."
Jeff Brideges
He's the Dude. What else do you really need to know? Bridges has had an amazing, award-winning career, which includes performing in Ogunquit.
Lloyd Bridges
The late actor, and Jeff's father, was a tremendously talented actor, especially in the comedy genre later in his career. Like his son, Lloyd spent a lot of time on stage, including in Ogunquit.
Carol Channing
The late star of stage and screen is probably best known for her role in "Hello, Dolly." She would even commend that Sally Struthers would play the same role at Ogunquit that made her a household name.
Dabney Coleman
The colorful actor has hundreds of productions to his credit, including major roles in big films like "9 to 5" and "The Towering Inferno." Oh, and my personal favorite, "War Games."
Jane Curtain
The comedian and actress is best known for her great work on "Saturday Night Live" and of course "Coneheads." She has also been known to hit the stage on and off Broadway.
Gene Wilder
Who could ever forget Gene's amazing work as Willy Wonka, and his tremendous comedy movies with Richard Pryor. Gene was an incredible talent.
Bette Davis
What can be said about Bette Davis that hasn't already? Loaded with talent and intelligence, Bette was a star's star. Bette has loads of credits, including at the Ogunquit Playhouse.
Patty Duke
The late award-winning actress performed in 1975 at the Playhouse. She, along with her then-husband, Jon Astin in My Fat Friend.
Jamie Farr
One of the many "M*A*S*H" stars who has appeared in Ogunquit. Jamie performed in Damn Yankees at the Playhouse in 1992.
Judd Hirsch
The "Taxi" star has had an outstanding career, including playing the badass dad in "Independence Day." Hirsch also got into directing, including the play, Art, which ran in Ogunquit in the year 2000.
Richard Kind
The character actor has had a very colorful career, including a great run on the sitcom, "Spin City." Kind did a spell in Guys and Dolls at the Playhouse in 2009.
Rue McClanahan
One of our wonderful "Golden Girls" has many stage credits to her name. This included a trip to Ogunquit to play in the show, Crazy For You.
Darren McGavin
Everyone's favorite Christmas movie dad also spent a lot of his career on stage. He performed at the Ogunquit Playhouse in 1965, in a performance of Here Lies Jeremy Troy.
Steve McQueen
The coolest man who ever lived was also the coolest actor who ever lived. The late actor did a little bit of everything, including some stage work in Ogunquit.Gavin MacLeod
Everyone's favorite TV captain and boss spent a little time up in Ogunquit in his day. It included starring in Moon Over Buffalo in 1997.
Burgess Meredith
The late great actor spent plenty of time on both the stage and screen. He had many iconic roles, such as the Penguin in the "Batman" series, and as Mic in "Rocky."
Jerry Orbach
Jerry is easily the first face I think of when it comes to detectives from "Law & Order." However, his career was a lot more than that. What many may not know is Jerry's incredibly accomplished stage career, which includes work in Ogunquit.
Dick Van Patton
The comedian and stage actor is best known for being the father from sitcom, "Eight is Enough." He also played a great King in "Spaceballs." Dick is credited for being in Nels, Here's Mama in Ogunquit in 1952.
Bernadette Peters
An absolute top talent on the stage and screen, Tony-winning Bernadette Peters is extremely well-respected. Peters is still performing a lot, and can be seen on tour.
Christopher Plummer
It was a long and prosperous career for the recently-deceased Christopher Plummer. Besides having a strong first name, Christopher spent over 60 years performing in front to of cameras and crowds. This included work in Ogunquit.
Anthony Quinn
The late star of the big screen had a prolific career, including to Oscars wins. While, he may be known mostly from his movie roles, Quinn also spent some time on the stage, including in Ogunquit.
Cesar Romero
The original Joker from the "Batman" TV show was a fixture on television and the big screen. The late actor also performed in Ogunquit back in 1963. Romero starred in the play, Strictly Dishonorable.Eva Marie Saint
The celebrated actress has an Oscar and Emmy to her name. She also has an Ogunquit Playhouse credit, performing in The Rainmaker in 1955.
William Shatner
This man needs no introduction. Captain Kirk has had quite a colorful career on television, film and the stage. His career included a trip to Ogunquit in 1970 to perform in The Tender Trap.
Cybill Shepherd
The award-winning actress has had incredible success on the large and small screen. However, she also spent a lot of time performing on stage, including 1982's Ogunquit Playhouse production Lunch Hour.
Loretta Swit
The "M*A*S*H" star has spent most of her time on and off Broadway over the past few decades. That includes work in Southern Maine.Sally Struthers
The true Queen of the Ogunquit Playhouse, Sally has performed countless times there, including last year's Young Frankenstein. Other productions she starred in include Hello, Dolly!, The Full Monty, Always....Patsy Cline and many others.
Jessica Tandy
The late actress had more stage credits than she did on the big screen. This included numerous performances of The Man in the Dog Suit and The Island of Cipango in 1957 and 1958 respectively.Betty White
The GOAT did everything. Saw everything. Won everything. There weren't many people who were as universally loved like Betty White. She also spent some time acting in a performance of Once More With Feeling back in 1968.Top Movie Theaters in Maine That Serve Alcohol
Would you like to visit a movie theater in Maine, sit back, relax, eat popcorn, and chug a beer? Well you can at these locations! Gallery Credit: google maps, Facebook
Magic Lantern Theater
Smitty's Cinema in Windham
Queen City in Bangor
Located at 128 Main St in Bangor. As their website says, "Pick your flick. Pick your showtime. Play a game. Drink a beer."
Add to Preferred Sources