All About Wayside Theatre

Historical Corrections

There are a few items in Wayside’s history around which there is some confusion. These are:

the constant reference to the Maralarrick Players;
the date when theatrical activity began in Middletown;
the chronology of the Artistic Directors; and
the names of well-known actors who performed at the Theatre.   

When the origin of the Theatre is discussed or the names and dates of the Artistic Directors are listed, this information is usually seen in a statement, such as the one below which is taken from a 2003 playbill, that reads,

Wayside Theatre is the second oldest professional theatre in Virginia. The com-
pany 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.  [NOTE: 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 are usually 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 –   

Based on information found to date, the Theatre’s leadership chronology should appear as follows:

1961 – the year mistakenly given as the start of Wayside Theatre.
1962 – the Maralarrick Player’s year, for which no records have been located
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 that capacity in any of the Theatre’s documents.  In addition, there is a change to the dates given for the length of time James Kirkland served as Artistic Director.  Wayside lists Kirkland as serving in this capacity for only one year, 1978.  In reality, Kirkland was the Artistic Director for both the 1978 and 1979 seasons.  During the 1979 season, Ed Steel served as the Managing Director replacing Barbara Swink, who had held that position since 1972.  During the 1979 season, Steele’s influence on the Theatre seems to have been quite strong and he was named the Artistic Director in 1980.  The following chronology will be used in this document:  
James Kirkland, 1978 - 1979.
Ed Steele, 1980 – 1986.  

Wayside has frequently listed the names of several well-known actors as having performed on its stage. These ‘distinguished artists’ include:  Stacey Keach, Peter Boyle, Susan Sarandon, Jill Eikenberry, Kathy Bates, Dana Delaney, and Donna McKechnie.  The name of John Lee Beatty, the well-known set designer, is listed as well. 

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 productions of Charley’s Aunt and Summer and Smoke.
Susan Sarandon -- appeared in one play during the 1968 season and worked in the Box
Office for most of that summer, while Chris Sarandon, her then husband, appeared in
most productions of the 1968 season.   
Jill Eikenberry -- name does not appear as a performer for any year.
Kathy Bates – appeared in the 1973 WTOT production of Virginia Folk Tales, but 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 Douce.
John Lee Beatty -- designed sets for Wayside’s 1972, 1973, and 1974 seasons.

NOTE: The above information is based on research done to date.  Should additional information be found, it will be promptly acknowledged.