Tantamount Theater
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Puppet theater Barn theater | |
 The Tantamount Theater | |
 | |
| Location | Middle Canyon Road, Carmel Valley, California, US |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 36°29′51″N 121°44′29″W / 36.49750°N 121.74139°W |
| Owner | François Martin |
| Type | Puppet theatre |
| Capacity | 144-seat |
| Opened | 24 June 1960 |
| Closed | 5 October 1978 |
Tantamount Theater was a puppet theatre for children and their families located in Carmel Valley, California. François Joseph Martin built and owned the theater. Within Carmel Valley, the theater stood as the only establishment where puppet performances became a regular occurrence.[1]
History[edit]
Barn Theater[edit]
Jeanne D'Orge encouraged Martin and Ralph Geddis to move to Carmel Valley and build a theater which she helped them to build.[2]
In 1956, Martin and Geddis purchased the stable and horse barn owned Frank De Amaral, situated upon the former grounds of the Muriel Vanderbilt Estate ranch on Middle Canyon Road, Carmel Valley (above Los Laureles Lodge). The barn that was previously used as a meeting space by Carmel Valley Fire Department volunteers was converted into the Barn Theater.[3][1][4]
Tantamount Theater[edit]
After three years of construction,[5] Tantamount Theater opened in June 1960 with a 144-seat theater.[6] It was described as "the most handsome auditorium I have seen on the West Coast" by the critic Stanley Eichelbaum.[7]
Early productions included Alice in Wonderland,[8] Uncle Tom's Cabin,[9] and A Midsummer Night's Dream,[7] as well as original productions written by Martin.[10]
D'Orge's charm graced the Green Room receptions and opening nights of the theater's productions, endearing herself to fellow artists and audience members.[11]
The theater also showed classic films, although it was best known for its puppet shows.[12]
Tantamount Theater fire[edit]
On October 5, 1978, the Tantamount was destroyed in a fire. During the fire, almost all 800 puppets crafted by partners throughout the years were also lost.[1][4][12]
References[edit]
- ^ a b c Ward Bushee (5 October 1978). "Fire guts area's Tantamount Theater". The Californian. p. 14. Retrieved 5 August 2023.
- ^ "Western American Literature Volume 29". Western Literature Association. Minnesota. 1994. Retrieved 6 August 2023.
- ^ Adam Miller (19 June 2020). "The Little Flowers of St. Francis". Folk Singing. Retrieved 5 August 2023.
- ^ a b Richard Flower (2014). "Evenings at the Tantamount Theater: Gone But Unforgettable" (PDF). Carmel Residents Association. Carmel-by-the-Sea, California. Retrieved 25 August 2023.
- ^ Scofield, Ronald D. (1 December 1957). "Intermission". Santa Barbara News-Press. p. 21. Retrieved 9 February 2024.
- ^ "Geddis, Martin Open Carmel Valley Theater". Santa Barbara News-Press. 29 May 1960. p. 30. Retrieved 9 February 2024.
- ^ a b Eichelbaum, Stanley (15 October 1960). "Burned out Wharf Theater Returns with 'Rainmaker'". San Francisco Examiner. p. 8. Retrieved 9 February 2024.
- ^ Hattan, Mildred (24 February 1961). "A View of Carmel Valley". The Californian. p. 11. Retrieved 9 February 2024.
- ^ "Little Theater Groups of Area Keep Busy in Summer". Santa Cruz Sentinel. 7 August 1960. p. 24. Retrieved 9 February 2024.
- ^ "Francois Martin Presents Two New Plays of His Own". Santa Barbara News-Press. 27 August 1961. p. 41. Retrieved 9 February 2024.
- ^ "Jeanne D'Orge Cherry". Carmel Pine Cone. Carmel-by-the-Sea, California. 7 May 1964. p. 3. Retrieved 19 July 2023.
- ^ a b "Tantamount Theater in Carmel Valley, CA - Cinema Treasures". cinematreasures.org. Retrieved 9 February 2024.
External links[edit]
