In the Spotlight–Gateway Playhouse
By Tammy Thornton
Though the curtains have closed on summer, things are still heating up at the Gateway Playhouse in Somers Point. This Hidden Gem of South Jersey provides year-round live entertainment right in our own backyard.
Located by the newly renovated bayfront marina on Higbee Avenue and next door to William Morrow Beach, the Somers Point venue celebrated the two-year anniversary of its reopening in August. But its rich history started over 100 years ago. Built around 1910, the original building initially served as a warehouse, but was converted in the 1920’s to a silent film house known as the Seaside Movie Theatre. Through the years, the Playhouse made many transformations, changing with the times as “talking” movies became popular, and later expanding to accommodate live musical productions. Gateway Theatre moved its operations to the Higbee and Bay Avenues location in the 1950’s, and well-known stars such as Edward Everett Horton, Constance Bennett, Veronica Lake, Stu Erwin, and Bess Meyers appeared onstage. Currently, the 220-seat Playhouse hosts musicals, plays, comedies, and performances for the South Jersey Region. This summer “Elvis” was in the house with the South Jersey Pops; the theatre also featured the ever popular “Broadway by Request”, performed by the Shaken Not Stirred players. Award-winning Broadway veteran Kelly Briggs performed his one man concert “This is One of Those Moments”. In addition to Broadway and off-Broadway performers, the Playhouse opens auditions to local talent. Northfield resident Happie Gerber fondly remembers her performance on Memorial Day weekend in 2018. Gerber said, “I had a very fun experience as an extra in The Shoobie Show! The Playhouse is a beautiful venue and I wish them the best of luck!” Rachel Ludwig, also a Northfield resident who performed with Gerber in The Shoobie Show, said, “I really enjoyed my time rehearsing and performing at the Gateway Playhouse and would recommend being open to the idea of not only attending shows there, but participating in them as well. Overall, it was an extremely pleasant experience.”
The Playhouse also hosts “Gateway to the Arts” an intensive educational camp with a mission to empower kids through theater. This summer welcomed 117 campers! After weeks of hard work, students and staff performed fully staged productions of “West Side Story” and “A Disney Spectacular”. Advanced students could audition for “The Great American SongBook”. Mainland Regional High School sophomore Ella Osbeck has been in three productions so far with the Gateway Playhouse: Shooting Stars Cabaret, Christmas Toons, and West Side Story. Osbeck said of her time at the Playhouse, “I feel that as I perform in more shows there, I always become so close with everyone, and become more of a family than a cast, which is one thing I love about being part of their productions. They have given me many opportunities and have helped me gain more confidence, especially when doing other productions, including the ones I do in high school.”
Gateway Playhouse has no time to slow down. The year-round theatre is currently performing the musical comedy “I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change”, presented by the Shaken Not Stirred Players. In October, the Playhouse will host musicians as part of the South Jersey Jazz Society Fall Festival. Later in the fall, Full Moon Theatre Production will present the classic comedy-drama “Steel Magnolias”. New performances are always being added to the Playhouse’s calendar. For the latest information about shows, auditions, and ticket sales, go to: www.gatewaybythebay.org or check out their Facebook page Gateway Playhouse.
Tammy Thornton is a mom of four, a substitute teacher, and a Sunday school teacher. She is passionate about gardening and cooking, and loves the beach.
