Tag Archives: Vineyard Playhouse

Vineyard Playhouse Shows Shouldn’t Be Missed

Love theater? ChecVineyard Playhousek out the Martha’s Vineyard Playhouse, located in beautiful Vineyard Haven, MA. The Playhouse, built in 1833, served a variety of purposes in its early life: a public meeting house, an Episcopal church, a Masonic lodge, and more. In 1982, Eileen Wilson and Isabella McKamy founded the theater and, in 1993, moved it to its current Church Street location. Since then, the building has been completely renovated and restored, and even expanded to better serve the cast, crew, and guests.

The Playhouse features a wide variety of plays, ranging from the Bard to modern-day tales by promising young talents, like Barney Norris. Mr. Norris won the 2014 Critics’ Circle Theatre Award for Most Promising Playwright. In April 2015, the Playhouse featured his play, “Visitors,” which The Independent called “a play made with love.” Fans of classic works will enjoy productions by Shakespeare (King John, Romeo & Juliet, Twelfth Night, Henry IV, Henry V, Julius Caesar, and more) and Tennessee Williams. If you’d like to learn more about their productions, visit The Vineyard Playhouse’s Production History.

The excitement at the Vineyard Playhouse extends beyond the stage; the Marilyn Meyerhoff Lobby hosts a variety of fun events throughout the year. This October, the lobby hosted a Poetry Café. The $10 invent included a beverage, a slice of pie, and, of course, readings from local poets. It’s also a popular spot for book releases and stories. Be sure to keep an eye on the Lobby Events page.

If you’re there in the summer, be sure to check out The Fabulists. The Fabulists are a troupe of Playhouse actors performing hilarious script adaptations for children every Saturday during the summer. Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for children, and the laughs are guaranteed! Visit The Fabulists webpage to learn more.

Speaking of children, the Vineyard Playhouse also offers Theater Arts Camp. If you’re heading to Martha’s Vineyard for a week in summer, why not enroll your kids in a fun-filled theater experience? The camps are for children ages 7-13, and run from early July through late August (Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.). You can view their contact information here.

Come out and join the fun at the Vineyard Playhouse! You never know who might appear! At one single play, the premier of Edward Beck’s “Sweetened Water,” the Playhouse hosted actress and former Miss America Vanessa Williams, actress Amy Irving (Carrie, Yentl, Traffic), and fashion designer Kenneth Cole.

If any (or all) of this interest you, we encourage you to read the Vineyard Playhouse’s theater news and reviews page.

And if you’re heading this way, be sure to reserve your accommodations through Sandpiper Rentals. Our Martha’s Vineyard vacation rentals are ideal for relaxing and unwinding in between all of the great activities you can participate in during your time on the island. Our rental properties are located all over Martha’s Vineyard, so you can choose to stay on your favorite part of the island. Whether you want to be right in town or more isolated, we have the perfect rental for you. Our homes are all unique, yet they all offer comfortable accommodations and luxurious amenities. Visit our website to check availability and learn about all of our services!

Martha’s Vineyard’s Kids: Drama, Fun and the Vineyard Playhouse

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It’s the little things that make Martha’s Vineyard so spectacular…fried clams on a hot august afternoon, finding the perfect purple clam shell on the beach, the sound of the foghorn in the distance as you fall asleep after a sun-soaked day at the beach. It’s also the ‘little people’ that make our island special – because of the joy they bring, but also because of the events and activities available to them.

One of my favorite kid things on the Island is called The Fabulists. This fabulous kid-friendly extension of the world famous Vineyard Playhouse – whose stage has featured the likes of Ted Danson, Amy Brenneman, Jake and Maggie Gyllenhaal – is one of our greatest summer treats.

Every Saturday morning in July and August, kids from all over the island gather in a magical theater made of grass and trees to see an original, hilarious play that always includes audience participation. Deep in the woods of Tisbury, just outside of Vineyard Haven, follow the trail to The Fabulists’ outdoor amphitheater where you’ll watch mermaids and pirates and geese and all other manner of make believe and real Vineyard characters come alive.

IT IS SO MUCH FUN!!!

(Great for ages 0-100)

Tickets are available at the door:
$7 general admission.
Children under 2 are free.
Group rates available.
Cash or check only.

Directions to the Amphitheater From Vineyard Haven:
The Tisbury Amphitheater is located at The Tashmoo Overlook in Vineyard Haven on State Road. Drive out towards West Tisbury just past the Tisbury business district on State Road. Just beyond West Spring Street on the right, there is a pull-out and parking for the overlook and theater. There will be Playhouse personnel on hand to guide you.

Village Spotlight: Vineyard Haven

The village of Vineyard Haven, located in the town of Tisbury, is the main port for Martha’s Vineyard. The harbor is the year-round home to the island ferries run by The Steamship Authority (passengers, cars and freight) and the New England Fast Ferry (passengers only), and it is filled with private and charter sail boats throughout the year and especially each summer. Once you step ashore, some of the best the Vineyard has to offer is within walking distance.

The famous Black Dog Tavern, bakery and retail shops stand steps away from the ferry, and most visitors mark their summer visits by purchasing their annual Black Dog t-shirts. Sitting on the porch at the tavern happily devouring your lobster dinner remains a highlight and is always worth the wait. No reservations accepted, but it’s a joy to sit on the small beach and watch the harbor while you wait for your name to be called.

Bike and car rentals are close by to help you get around, but you don’t even need them to explore Vineyard Haven’s Main Street. This picturesque, shopping extravaganza of a street boasts unique boutique style shops filled with clothes, cool stuff, books and art. Some of our favorite spots are The Green Room (men and women’s clothing), Bunch of Grapes (one of the greatest bookstores ever) and Rainy Day (literally filled with too many fantastic items to list here). Art galleries abound and showcased artists often capture the spirit and beauty of the island.

Vineyard Haven offers excellent dining (Le Grenier) and quick eats (ArtCliff)…and plenty of ice cream (Mad Martha’s) – just to name a few hot spots. The Mansion House hotel, spa, health club and restaurant (Zephrus) stands right on the corner of Main and State Road giving guests full service inside and total access to the town. If it rains, duck into the Capawock movie theater, a refreshing change from the multi-plex, or find the Vineyard Playhouse which features a summer packed with world-renowned plays and actors in a unique Vineyard setting.

And if you have time, wander just a block or two past Main Street, up away from the harbor. You’ll find the a beautiful, seaside, New England town – white clapboard homes, lush gardens and tons of character.