{"id":2260943,"date":"2026-02-01T11:23:08","date_gmt":"2026-02-01T11:23:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/?p=2260943"},"modified":"2026-02-01T11:23:08","modified_gmt":"2026-02-01T11:23:08","slug":"candlelight-theatre-celebrates-57-seasons-of-live-performances","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/candlelight-theatre-celebrates-57-seasons-of-live-performances\/","title":{"rendered":"Candlelight Theatre celebrates 57 seasons of live performances"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><\/p>\n<div id=\"\">\n<div class=\"column eleven-column byline-section\">\n<p><span class=\"author\"\/><span class=\"publication\"><span slot=\"bylineInfo\" class=\"authors\">Dan Healy<\/span><br \/>\n<span slot=\"bylineInfo\" class=\"credit\">\u00a0|\u00a0 Guest columist<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"videoWrap\" class=\"spacer-large videoWrap\" style=\"position:relative\"><media-video video-id=\"88418210007\" title=\"Sweet Valentine's Day restaurants in Delaware for romantic dinner\" poster=\"http:\/\/www.gannett-cdn.com\/-mm-\/50cf5bbf732a4dc596a6cd2b25c2d55faffc0cbe\/c=0-198-3888-2395\/local\/-\/media\/2015\/07\/23\/Wilmington\/Wilmington\/635732603525823667-022512-26xl.1000pointtasting-SP50.JPG\" util-module-path=\"elements\/media\" placement=\"snow-video-story-priority\"><\/p>\n<div id=\"uwVideoPlaceholder\" slot=\"placeholder\" style=\"z-index:19;width:100%;padding-bottom:56.25%;position:relative\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"vidplaybtn\" style=\"display:-moz-box;display:-ms-flexbox;display:-webkit-flex;display:flex;background-color:rgba(0,0,0,.4);border:2px solid #fff;border-radius:80px;cursor:pointer;height:80px;width:80px;position:absolute;top:50%;left:50%;transform:translate(-50%,-50%);z-index:10\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"vidplayicon\" src=\"https:\/\/www.gannett-cdn.com\/appservices\/universal-web\/universal\/icons\/icon-play-alt-white.svg\" alt=\"play\" style=\"height:40px;margin:auto 18px auto 27px;width:40px\"\/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div slot=\"videoDetails\" id=\"videoDetails\" class=\"videoDetails\" style=\"padding-top:8px;padding-bottom:8px\">\n<div id=\"videoDetailsContainer\" class=\"videoDetailsContainer\" hidden=\"\">\n<p>Sweet Valentine&#8217;s Day restaurants in Delaware for romantic dinner<\/p>\n<p>Delaware has a number of romantic restaurants\/bars where you and your partner can celebrate a romantic dinner for Valentine&#8217;s Day. Here are 10 spots<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/media-video><\/div>\n<p>For more than five decades, <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/candlelighttheatredelaware.org\/\">The Candlelight Theatre<\/a> has operated out of a historic barn in North Wilmington, evolving into one of Delaware\u2019s longstanding venues for live performance.<\/p>\n<partner-banner util-module-path=\"elements\/partner\" class=\"spacer-large\" min-height=\"600\" fluid=\"\" outstream=\"\" momentum=\"\"\/>\n<p>Originally built for farm use in the late 1800s, it was renovated into the Robin Hood Theatre in 1931 and opened as a summer playhouse the following year. During that time, many famous film and stage actors trod the boards at 2208 Millers Road, including Barbara Bel Geddes, Will Geer, Jack Klugman, Tony Perkins and Barbara Rush. Arthur Miller directed one of his plays within its walls in 1953.<\/p>\n<p>In 1969, John and Lena O\u2019Toole and Julian and Annabelle Borris reopened the barn as Candlelight Music Dinner Theatre, the first of its kind in Delaware, serving a delicious meal alongside a production of\u00a0&#8220;A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum.&#8221; Over the years, the theater evolved through changes in leadership and structure, eventually becoming a nonprofit organization. In 2014, the name was officially changed to The Candlelight Theatre.<\/p>\n<p><media-image image-set=\"https:\/\/www.gannett-cdn.com\/authoring\/authoring-images\/2026\/01\/30\/PWIL\/88433456007-ragtime-237.jpg bestCrop, https:\/\/www.gannett-cdn.com\/authoring\/authoring-images\/2026\/01\/30\/PWIL\/88433456007-ragtime-237.jpg?crop=3610,2707,x2207,y0 4:3, https:\/\/www.gannett-cdn.com\/authoring\/authoring-images\/2026\/01\/30\/PWIL\/88433456007-ragtime-237.jpg?crop=2031,2707,x2663,y0 3:4, https:\/\/www.gannett-cdn.com\/authoring\/authoring-images\/2026\/01\/30\/PWIL\/88433456007-ragtime-237.jpg?crop=4814,2707,x1271,y0 16:9\" image-alt=\"\" credit=\"Provided by The Candlelight Theatre\/Tisa Della-Volpe\" caption=\"'Ragtime' took over The Candlelight Theatre stage last fall.\" orientation=\"horizontal\" class=\"spacer-large\" util-module-path=\"elements\/media\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Candlelight\u2019s many alumni include film star Bruce Willis, Broadway performer Diane Fratantoni, Tony Award nominee John Dossett, and Tony Award winner Susan Stroman, who famously choreographed the original Broadway production of &#8220;The Producers&#8221; \u2013 the same show currently on stage at Candlelight through Feb. 22. This legacy has become a key part of Candlelight\u2019s mission: to nurture the talents of the many artists who walk through the doors.<\/p>\n<partner-banner util-module-path=\"elements\/partner\" fluid=\"\" bottom=\"\" lazy=\"\" class=\"spacer-large\" min-height=\"390\" outstream=\"\"\/><partner-inline util-module-path=\"elements\/partner\" class=\"spacer-large\" placement=\"native-article_link\" sizes=\"[[300, 250], [3, 3]]\" min-height=\"250\" fluid=\"\" outstream=\"\"\/>\n<p>Today, Candlelight focuses on delivering professional entertainment and a quality dining experience. The actors and production staff come from Delaware, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Maryland, and even as far as New York to work at the only dinner theatre in Delaware.<\/p>\n<p class=\"related-link\"><span class=\"exclude-from-newsgate\"><strong style=\"margin-right:3px\">More Open Call: <\/strong><a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.delawareonline.com\/story\/entertainment\/arts\/2026\/01\/25\/wilmington-drama-league-offers-young-writers-platform-for-storytelling\/88318802007\/\" rel=\"noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Wilmington Drama League offers young writers platform for storytelling<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p>Over the years, the building has seen countless improvements since its days as a barn. The theatre has implemented a bigger and stronger stage, larger and improved sound systems, commercial kitchen upgrades, a recent replacement of the main floor, reconstruction of our emergency exit stairways, remodeling to modernized restrooms, and much more.<\/p>\n<p><media-image image-set=\"https:\/\/www.gannett-cdn.com\/authoring\/authoring-images\/2026\/01\/30\/PWIL\/88433293007-bright-star-347.jpg bestCrop, https:\/\/www.gannett-cdn.com\/authoring\/authoring-images\/2026\/01\/30\/PWIL\/88433293007-bright-star-347.jpg?crop=4040,3029,x30,y0 4:3, https:\/\/www.gannett-cdn.com\/authoring\/authoring-images\/2026\/01\/30\/PWIL\/88433293007-bright-star-347.jpg?crop=2272,3029,x914,y0 3:4, https:\/\/www.gannett-cdn.com\/authoring\/authoring-images\/2026\/01\/30\/PWIL\/88433293007-bright-star-347.jpg?crop=4100,2306,x0,y0 16:9\" image-alt=\"\" credit=\"Provided by The Candlelight Theatre\/Tisa Della-Volpe\" caption=\"'The Bright Star' was offered last spring at The Candlelight Theatre in Wilmington.\" orientation=\"horizontal\" class=\"spacer-large\" util-module-path=\"elements\/media\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Seasons typically consist of six shows \u2013 five musicals and one play \u2013 that each run for six weeks. Each year we feature family-friendly programming, a holiday production, and performances designed to appeal to longtime patrons as well as first-time theatergoers. The remainder of the 2026 season includes Young Frankenstein (also choreographed and directed by Susan Stroman), &#8220;Arsenic and Old Lace,&#8221; &#8220;Annie,&#8221; &#8220;Fiddler on the Roof,&#8221; and the holiday classic &#8220;Scrooge! The Musical.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>In addition to its main-stage productions, Candlelight hosts monthly Quizzo trivia nights and comedy shows featuring some of the best comedians in the business.<\/p>\n<partner-banner util-module-path=\"elements\/partner\" fluid=\"\" bottom=\"\" lazy=\"\" class=\"spacer-large\" min-height=\"600\" outstream=\"\" momentum=\"\"\/><media-image image-set=\"https:\/\/www.gannett-cdn.com\/authoring\/authoring-images\/2026\/01\/30\/PWIL\/88433511007-rotten-1883-1.jpg bestCrop, https:\/\/www.gannett-cdn.com\/authoring\/authoring-images\/2026\/01\/30\/PWIL\/88433511007-rotten-1883-1.jpg?crop=3995,2996,x1850,y0 4:3, https:\/\/www.gannett-cdn.com\/authoring\/authoring-images\/2026\/01\/30\/PWIL\/88433511007-rotten-1883-1.jpg?crop=2247,2996,x2724,y0 3:4, https:\/\/www.gannett-cdn.com\/authoring\/authoring-images\/2026\/01\/30\/PWIL\/88433511007-rotten-1883-1.jpg?crop=5327,2996,x1539,y0 16:9\" image-alt=\"\" credit=\"The Candlelight Theatre\/Tisa Della-Volpe\" caption=\"'Dirty Rotten Scoundrels' was performed at The Candlelight Theatre in Wilmington before the holiday season.\" orientation=\"horizontal\" class=\"spacer-large\" util-module-path=\"elements\/media\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Candlelight has continued because of the support of its community \u2014 audiences, artists, and patrons who believe in keeping live theatre thriving in Delaware and accessible for generations.<\/p>\n<partner-inline util-module-path=\"elements\/partner\" placement=\"native-article_link\" sizes=\"[[300, 250], [3, 3]]\" min-height=\"250\" fluid=\"\" outstream=\"\"\/>\n<p class=\"related-link\"><span class=\"exclude-from-newsgate\"><strong style=\"margin-right:3px\">New to explore: <\/strong><a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.delawareonline.com\/story\/entertainment\/arts\/2026\/01\/18\/winter-is-a-great-time-to-explore-calder-gardens-in-philadelphia\/88215361007\/\" rel=\"noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Winter is a great time to explore Calder Gardens in Philadelphia<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p>Each year, Candlelight participates in <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.domore24delaware.org\/\">Do More 24 Delaware<\/a>, the statewide 24-hour giving event that brings together <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.domore24delaware.org\/search\">hundreds of nonprofits<\/a> and thousands of donors in support of causes across the state. During the event, held March 5 to 6, contributions to Candlelight are amplified through matching gifts and prizes, helping sustain the productions on stage, the artists who bring them to life, and the historic space that makes it all possible.<\/p>\n<p><cta-atoms-container-inline util-module-path=\"elements\/cta\" class=\"spacer-large\"\/><\/p>\n<p>As Candlelight moves through its <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/candlelighttheatredelaware.org\/2026-season-main-stage-shows\/\">57th season<\/a>, we remain grateful to everyone who helps keep the stage lit, the doors open, and this longtime gathering place filled with music, laughter, and live performance. We hope you will join us soon for an evening of dining and entertainment.<\/p>\n<p><media-image image-set=\"https:\/\/www.gannett-cdn.com\/authoring\/authoring-images\/2026\/01\/30\/PWIL\/88433408007-dan-healy-headshot.JPG bestCrop, https:\/\/www.gannett-cdn.com\/authoring\/authoring-images\/2026\/01\/30\/PWIL\/88433408007-dan-healy-headshot.JPG?crop=5333,3999,x333,y0 4:3, https:\/\/www.gannett-cdn.com\/authoring\/authoring-images\/2026\/01\/30\/PWIL\/88433408007-dan-healy-headshot.JPG?crop=3000,3999,x1500,y0 3:4, https:\/\/www.gannett-cdn.com\/authoring\/authoring-images\/2026\/01\/30\/PWIL\/88433408007-dan-healy-headshot.JPG?crop=5999,3375,x0,y312 16:9\" image-alt=\"\" credit=\"Provided by The Candlelight Theatre\/Scott King\" caption=\"Dan Healy is operations manager of The Candlelight Theatre.\" orientation=\"horizontal\" class=\"spacer-large\" util-module-path=\"elements\/media\"\/><\/p>\n<p><em>Dan Healy is operations manager of The Candlelight Theatre<\/em>.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"presto-h3 wp-block-heading\"><strong>Open Call<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><em>Open Call is hosted by regional arts and cultural groups on Sundays. <\/em><em>If you know a group that would like to be included, please email Tammy Paolino at <\/em><em><a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"mailto:tpaolino@usatodayco.com\">tpaolino@usatodayco.com<\/a><\/em><em> for details<\/em><strong><em>.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<partner-banner util-module-path=\"elements\/partner\" fluid=\"\" bottom=\"\" lazy=\"\" class=\"spacer-large\" min-height=\"390\" outstream=\"\"\/><lit-timestamp class=\"column ten-column no-gutter spacer-small\" slot=\"timestamp\" publishdate=\"2026-02-01 10:18:46.228346454 +0000 UTC\" updatedate=\"2026-02-01 10:18:46.228346454 +0000 UTC\"\/><\/div>\n<p><em> \u2018 The preceding article may include information circulated by third parties \u2019 <\/em><\/p>\n<p><em> \u2018 Some details of this article were extracted from the following source www.delawareonline.com \u2019 <\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Dan Healy \u00a0|\u00a0 Guest columist Sweet Valentine&#8217;s Day restaurants in Delaware for romantic dinner Delaware has a number of romantic restaurants\/bars where you and your partner can celebrate a romantic dinner for Valentine&#8217;s Day. Here are 10 spots For more than five decades, The Candlelight Theatre has operated out of a historic barn in North [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":2260944,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"jnews-multi-image_gallery":[],"jnews_single_post":[],"jnews_primary_category":[],"jnews_social_meta":[],"footnotes":""},"categories":[25172],"tags":[31785,396721,39915,22220,344468,358177,349303,39659,323885,6297,21741,22034,239348,22118,24392,21739,298114,298790,346106,239343,239347,23759,23170,24047,239344,419708],"class_list":["post-2260943","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-entertainment","tag-acting","tag-acting-u0026-theater","tag-affiliate","tag-arts","tag-broadway","tag-broadway-u0026-musical-theater","tag-bruce","tag-bruce-willis","tag-delaware","tag-eamotion","tag-entertainment","tag-events","tag-events-u0026-listings","tag-food","tag-listings","tag-local","tag-local-affiliate-arts-u0026-entertainment","tag-local-affiliate-food","tag-musical","tag-overall","tag-overall-positive","tag-positive","tag-restaurants","tag-theater","tag-u0026","tag-willis"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Candlelight-Theatre-celebrates-57-seasons-of-live-performances-scaled.jpg","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2260943","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2260943"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2260943\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2260945,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2260943\/revisions\/2260945"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2260944"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2260943"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2260943"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2260943"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}