Nestled in the beautiful coastal community of Cannon Beach, Oregon, Coaster Theatre Playhouse has brought the world to locals and visitors alike through the magic of live theatre. From 19th century Siam in The King and I to a townhouse on Beekman Place in Auntie Mame, from a little Russian village in Fiddler on the Roof to a 1930s hotel suite in Lend Me a Tenor, Coaster Theatre has presented scores of plays and musicals performed by hundreds of actors for thousands of appreciative patrons.
From its early beginnings as the Coaster Roller Rink in the 1920s, this historic site operated as a skating rink through the 1950s and was used to show silent movies to the locals once each week. In 1972, the building was purchased by Maurie Clark, a Portland patron of the arts. Under his direction, a major remodel was undertaken, resulting in the building theatre patrons see today. Portland State University Summer Stock Company became regular performers each year and other groups regularly presented concerts and performances throughout the season. Upon Maurie’s death in 2001, Coaster Theatre Playhouse became a non-profit organization.