Mar 20, 2019 3 min read

When I was growing up, there were several things that were annual summer traditions in our family: a trip to the Jersey Shore, spending long days at the local pool, playing baseball and softball at Washington Park and taking part in the Washington Community Theater summer musical production.

I still remember the summer of 1975 when my mom and I played townspeople in the chorus of “The Music Man.” Oh, how I longed to land the role of Amaryllis, but at age 9 I was too young and shy. My brother sang his heart out as young Winthrop, and we all had the lyrics to “Ya Got Trouble” and “Seventy-six Trombones” forever etched in our memories. The musical turned out to be a huge hit. What I didn’t realize until recently was that the production marked WCT’s first ever musical!

WCT was founded in 1969 by a small group of theater-loving Washingtonians. That fall, they staged their first play, “Anniversary Waltz,” and a wonderful tradition was off and running. This year, Washington Community Theater is celebrating its 50th anniversary and is still going strong.

Through the years, WCT has staged every type of production you could imagine, including popular musicals such as “Fiddler On The Roof,” “Annie” and “Oliver.” I remember being in the chorus with my mom and my aunt as part of the cast of summer productions of “The Sound of Music” and “Where’s Charlie?” During high school, I played in the orchestra (with mom directing) for “Annie Get Your Gun” and “South Pacific.” In 1976, WCT staged a special production of “Rifles & Roses” to celebrate the country’s bicentennial. From kilt-wearing Scotsmen in “Brigadoon” to farmers and ranchers in “Oklahoma!” and Eliza Doolittle and Henry Higgins in “My Fair Lady,” the summer musicals at Washington Park have delighted thousands of local theater fans. WCT’s hard work doesn’t only take place during the summer, though, as the group also stages plays throughout the year.

The Main Pavilion at Washington Park has been home to the summer musicals since the 1970s. It has gotten a much needed facelift over the past few years, including a new roof and restrooms, sandblasting and painting of all wooden surfaces, updated indoor lighting, a renovated front staircase, replacement of the deck walkway and resurfacing of the main floor.

Washington Community Theater is kicking of its golden anniversary with a gala celebration in early April. The hard work on this summer’s musical starts next week with auditions March 25 and 26 for “Mamma Mia,” which will run at the Main Pavilion June 25 to 30. After casting, rehearsals begin in April along with set building, choreography and arrangements for costumes and orchestra musicians. It’s a labor of love for WCT’s dedicated members, but they’re used to it. After all, they’ve made sure the show has gone on for the past 50 years!

Kristin Emery can be reached at kristinemery1@yahoo.com.