The Gretna Theatre, situated at Mount Gretna, celebrated its 80th anniversary with another weekly line-up of summer season performances.
The theater produces five mainstage productions of classic and contemporary plays and musicals. The program also features special events and children's theater on some Saturdays. The theater offers internships for up and coming actors and backstage staff, and runs outreach projects in collaboration with local schools and senior groups.
Gretna Theatre has been staging performances since 1927, but the original building was built in 1892, and formed part of the Pennsylvania Chautauqua movement. The Chautauqua summer camps were started by two New Yorkers who wanted to promote recreation and classes in music and opera to local communities. The Chautauqua Auditorium opened in 1892 and was used for the first gathering in Mt. Gretna. Over the next few decades the Chautauqua movement lost some of its popularity. In 1927 the Auditorium was altered to provide new facilities such as a stage and dressing room, and renamed the Gretna Playhouse. The Gretna Theatre put on its first season of summer weekly shows that year, and has done so ever since, sharing the facilities with other local theater groups.
The Playhouse met disaster in 1994 when the roof collapsed after heavy snowfalls. The summer performances were held under canvas, and by 1995 following extensive renovation the new Playhouse building was in business.
The summer season runs from the beginning of June to the end of July. Ticket prices: matinée performances $22 and evening performances $32. Discounts for students and groups available.
