Theatre Scarborough History

Known officially as "Playhouse 66", Theatre Scarborough is an umbrella organization consisting of Scarborough Music Theatre, Scarborough Players, and Scarborough Theatre Guild.

Playhouse 66 was named for our previous theatre building, which was an old church at 66 Denton Avenue (near Danforth and Victoria Park) where Oakridge Community Centre now resides.

In 1982, we moved into the newly-built Scarborough Village Theatre, and have performed there ever since. In 1993 the theatre was renovated and saw significant improvements to the lobby and backstage areas. In 2007 new seating was added. Our three groups have worked together amicably for many years. We share sound and lighting equipment, and a lot of technical skills and resources. Each group chooses its season and makes its own artistic choices.

Scarborough Music Theatre (SMT) initially began as the Scarborough Light Opera in 1961-62. It was literally a 'church basement' operation with our earliest shows being Gilbert and Sullivan operettas. For several years we performed out of a converted church at 66 Denton Avenue, in the Danforth and Pharmacy area of the City, in a theatre called Playhouse 66. Since 1982, our shows have been presented at Scarborough Village Theatre, a space which we share to this day with the Scarborough Players and the Scarborough Theatre Guild.

SMT is proud of the quality of its productions. In the past we have offered dramas, children's shows, cabaret / galas and full summer seasons; however, our current focus is on producing musicals. SMT presents three full-scale productions each year between late October and mid-May. We present musicals that are familiar, traditional favourites like West Side Story, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Man of La Mancha, and The Sound of Music and shows that are fresh and unique like The Who’s Tommy, Falsettos, Blood Brothers, and The Goodbye Girl. We hope our show selections bring satisfaction and excitement to the theatre experience of our patrons every season.

SMT also offers many opportunities for individuals and families to become involved on stage and behind the scenes. With almost 50 years of music theatre tradition, people wishing to share and learn talents in performance, directing, choreography, producing, stage crew, set construction, props and so much more are indeed welcome to join us.

Back in 1959, Scarborough Theatre Guild was formed from the amalgamation of three small community theatre groups. Headquarters became a dis-used farmhouse at Midland and Ellesmere with set building and painting taking place in two old chicken houses. Scarborough Theatre Guild presented its productions in school auditoriums, halls, and on occasion, at the old Frigidaire building at Eglinton and Pharmacy.

The group flourished and in 1969 moved into a home of its own, an old church at 66 Denton Avenue near Pharmacy and Danforth. The church was renovated to fire code standards and became a theatre known as Playhouse 66. By offering a wide variety of vehicles, including comedies, mysteries, dramas, pantomimes and musicals, the group prospered and added to its audience base.

Then in 1982 with the help of the City, Scarborough Village Theatre was born and became the new home for the Scarborough Theatre Guild and its two sister groups, all working under the banner umbrella organization known as Playhouse 66.

Throughout its more than 50-year long history, Scarborough Theatre Guild has strived to present top quality entertainment to its loyal patrons, winning many favourable notices and awards along the way. Thank you for your continuing support.

Theatre Scarborough, c/o Scarborough Village Theatre, 3600 Kingston Road,
Scarborough, Ontario, M1M 1R9  Tel: 416-396-4049