Corrections
There are some items in Wayside’s history that have been put forward as fact, but to date they are unable to be confirmed. These are:
the consistent reference to the Maralarrick Players;
the date when theatrical activity began in Middletown;
the confusion over the chronology of the Artistic Directors; and
the names of well-known actors who have performed at the Theatre.
When the origin of the Theatre is discussed or the names and dates of the Artistic Directors are listed, this usually appeared as a statement in a playbill, as seen in the following paragraph taken from a 2003 playbill, that states:
Wayside Theatre is the second oldest professional theatre in Virginia. The company was born in 1961 as the Maralarrick Players. A year later, Leo Bernstein, a Washington DC-based financier and real-estate developer, bought the theatre building and changed the name to Wayside Theatre. His vision was to compliment the historic Wayside Inn, just up the street. He hired Owen Phillips, then artistic director of the Barter Theatre, as the Wayside’s first artistic director and in 1963 the theatre began employing professional actors through Actors’ Equity Association (“A Brief History of Wayside Theatre.” 2003 Playbill).
What took place in Middletown in 1961 remains a mystery, as does the identity of the Marralarrick Players. To date, no evidence has been found that supports a 1961 season. Nor does the Theatre, when speaking of its origin, ever mention the name of Larry Gleason, who served as the Artistic Director for the highly successful 1963 season. Owen Phillips is credited for being the first Artistic Director, although he did not arrive at Wayside until the 1964 season. Phillips had worked at Barter Theatre as an actor and as a director, but not as Artistic Director. In Barter Theatre’s long history, there have been only three artistic directors: Robert Porterfield who founded the theatre in 1933 and served as Artistic Director for 40 years; Rex Partington, who served in that position for 20 years; and the current artistic Director, Richard Rose, who began his tenure in 1992.
In Wayside’s publications, the names of the theatre’s Artistic Directors was listed as follows:
Owen Phillips 1964 – 1967
Gerald Slavet 1968 – 1974
Lou Furman 1975 – 1977
James Kirkland 1978 – 1979
Ed Steele 1979 – 1986
Christopher Owens 1987 – 1998
Warner Crocker 1999 – to the present
Based on information found to date, the Theatre’s chronology of leadership should appear as follows:
1961 – the year mistakenly given as the start of Wayside Theatre.
1962 – the Maralarrick Player’s year, for which there are no records
1963 - Larry Gleason
1964 – 1967 - Owen Phillips
1968 – 1974 - Gerald Slavet
1975 – 1977 - Lou Furman
1978 – 1980 - James Kirkland
1981 – 1986 - Ed Steele
1987 – 1998 - Christopher Owens
1999 – 2013 - Warner Crocker
This revised listing begins with Larry Gleason who served as the Artistic Director for the highly successful 1963 season, despite his name never appearing in any list found in the Theatre’s documents. In addition, there is an alteration to the dates given for the length of time James Kirkland served as Artistic Director. While the Theatre’s list shows Kirkland as being at Wayside for only one year, records indicate he served in that role for two years. It was during Kirkland’s second year that Ed Steele was hired as Managing Director and became the Artistic Director the following year.
Wayside has frequently listed names of several well-known actors as having performed on its stage. The names of these ‘distinguished artists’ includes: Stacey Keach, Peter Boyle, Susan Sarandon, Jill Eikenberry, Kathy Bates, Dana Delaney, Donna McKechnie. Also listed is the name of well-known set designer, John Lee Beatty. In checking through cast and production lists, the following information has surfaced:
Stacey Keach - -name does not appear as a performer for any year.
Peter Boyle - - appeared in the 1963 production of Charley’s Aunt
Susan Sarandon - - appeared in one play during the 1968 season and worked in the box office for most of that summer. Chris Sarandon, her then husband, appeared in almost every production of the 1968 season.
Jill Eikenberry - - Name does not appear as a performer for any year.
Kathy Bates – appeared in the cast for the 1973 WTOT production of Virginia Folk Tales. There is no indication she appeared in any of the main-stage productions for that season.
Dana Delaney - - Name does not appear as a performer for any year.
Donna McKechnie - - appeared as the lead in the 1973 production of Irma La Duce.
John Lee Beatty - - Designed sets for the Wayside’s 1972, 1973, and 1974 seasons.
The above information is based on research done to date. Should additional information be found, it will be promptly acknowledged.