Connect with us

Entertainment

Dedication, stars have energized Delaware’s Candlelight Theatre since 1969

Published

2 months ago

on

Dedication, stars have energized Delaware’s Candlelight Theatre since 1969

Maureen Cotellese
 |  Guest columnist

play

If you ever find yourself driving through northern Delaware, just off the I-95 Harvey Road exit, you may not realize that tucked away in the village of Ardentown is a quaint theater with a rich history of serving live entertainment to the Delaware community for 55 years.

The Candlelight Theatre, Delaware’s first and now only dinner theater, began its history in 1969. Since then, tens of thousands of audiences have been welcomed in and enjoyed an evening of dining and entertainment in this intimate space.

With a mission to allow artists to hone their craft, the theater’s history includes performances by up-and-coming actors that have moved on to national tours, cruise ships and even Broadway. Such names as five-time Tony Award-winner Susan Stroman, who not only performed but also choreographed productions at Candlelight while attending the University of Delaware.

At one time, even a very young Bruce Willis graced The Candlelight Theatre stage.

All year round, The Candlelight Theatre offers an array of entertainment opportunities. From musical comedies to plays, stand-up comedy nights, and even Quizzo trivia nights, there’s entertainment for all available each week.

But just what does it take to produce a big stage musical? In a word, dedication.

As I sit here in the dimly lit theater, tech week has begun for the upcoming Dolly Parton production, “9 to 5: The Musical.” For months, the cast has been tirelessly working on learning their lines, songs and dances. And now, with the set loaded in, the creative team begins the busy work of lighting, working with props, costumes, projections – all the elements that go into putting on a show.

And on opening night, this dedication and hard work will be met by applause from a cheerful audience. The anticipation is in the air and there’s no better feeling. It’s what motivates and keeps the actors and creative staff coming back show after show.

“9 to 5: The Musical” will play through Sunday, Oct. 27. Closing out the 2024 season will be “Holiday Inn,” running Nov. 16 through Dec. 22.

55th anniversary Main Stage Season announced

Something Rotten (Jan. 18 to Feb. 23, 2025)

Welcome to the Renaissance and the outrageous, crowd-pleasing musical farce, “Something Rotten.” Two brothers set out to write the world’s first musical in this hilarious mash-up of 16th-century Shakespeare and 21st-century Broadway. Created by Grammy Award-winning songwriter Wayne Kirkpatrick and screenwriters Karey Kirkpatrick and John O’Farrell, “Something Rotten” garnered 10 Tony nominations and was lauded by audiences and critics alike as the funniest musical comedy in at least 400 years.

Bright Star (March 15 – April 19, 2025)

An uplifting theatrical journey that holds you tightly in its grasp, “Bright Star” is as refreshingly genuine as it is daringly hopeful. Inspired by a true story and featuring the Tony-nominated score by Steve Martin and Edie Brickell, Broadway’s “Bright Star” tells a sweeping tale of love and redemption set against the rich backdrop of the American South in the 1920s and ’40s.

Escape to Margaritaville (July 12 – August 24, 2025)

Set your mind to island time and “Escape to Margaritaville!” Featuring your favorite Jimmy Buffet classics with book by Greg Garcia and Mike O’Malley, “Margaritaville” tells the story of Tully, a smooth-talking singer/bartender whose laidback, no-strings-attached lifestyle is turned upside down when he falls for Rachel, an environmental scientist visiting the island. This hilarious, heartwarming musical is the party you’ve been waiting for!

Ragtime (Sept. 13 – Oct. 26, 2025)

It’s the dawn of the 20th century in New York and everything is possible. Three uniquely American tales are woven together and united by their shared belief in the promise of the future. Together, they confront history’s timeless contradictions of wealth and poverty, freedom and prejudice, hope and despair and what it means to live in the “land of opportunity.”

More theater news: Broadway in Delaware: What’s coming in fall 2024?

Christmas by Candlelight (Nov.15 – Dec. 21, 2025)

There’s no place like home for the holidays, so we are thrilled to welcome audiences “home” to the barn for our heartwarming celebration of the yuletide season. Featuring favorite seasonal and sacred tunes, as well as some new surprises, brought to life by audience favorite‘Candlelighters,’ “Christmas by Candlelight” has been consistently voted Best Musical by our subscribers and is not to be missed. All Main Stage tickets start at $69 and include dinner and the show as well as coffee, iced tea and hot tea. The theater also offers a full-service cash bar.

For tickets: Box office at 302-475-2313 or online at candlelighttheatredelaware.org

Maureen Cotellese is development coorinator of The Candlelight Theatre.

Related Topics:
Continue Reading