Priscilla Beach Theatre Restoration, Priscilla Beach, Manomet, Plymouth, Massachusetts, USA

The restoration of Priscilla Beach Theatre (PBT) continues. Now in their 78th year, PBT is the oldest barn theatre still in operation in the United States. The renovation will be completed in time for next summer's performance season - "Fiddler on the Roof," and "Chicago" are already scheduled. My previous blog update on the restoration is at this link.

To set the stage (no pun intended), the PBT campus includes a number of complementary elements - left to right -  the tent for summer outdoor shows, the barn, the former actress dormitory, the box office and concession stand, the indoor black box theatre, and the farm house.

The barn isn't the only structure receiving improvements. A new roof and other exterior repairs have been completed on all these buildings - the box office and concession stand, the black box theatre with new ramp and step access, and the farm house.  Exterior work on the dormitory building has been completed as well.

And now that the final outdoor performance of the season has been completed, the outdoor stage has been dismantled and the tent will be removed soon - until next year.

And on the barn, the southwest wall foundation has been poured and awaits sill and lower wall reconstruction.

The braces support the wall until the sill and lower support is rebuilt upwards to fill the gap.

Using my trusty pocket knife for scale (2 inches), these laminated beams will span the stage area.

Looking from the audience area toward the stage area.

Upstage looking toward the audience area.

The workmen are up and down these ladders a gazillion times a day - view from downstage right.

Bit by bit, board by board, the restored theatre continues to take shape - view from down center.

It is a fascinating process to watch these restoration experts keep what is worth keeping and repair/replace/restore everything else.

The edge of the stage is at lower left.  It still amazes me to watch the steady progress as these craftsmen breathe new life into this building - I have fallen under its spell. This is a remarkable project PBT owners and guardians Bob and Sandy Malone have taken on - to save this piece of Americana.