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076-82 Carmel 100 Years_152-161 Garcia story 4/24/13 4:14 PM Page 3 The Outdoor Forest Theater had its first production 1910. The original design remains, with wooden benches on the gentle slope, warmed on the stage's front corners by two bonfire pits. Theater productions and summer movies are enjoyed under the stars, ringed by Carmel's many trees. "In small-town America, things like the baker, lights. You can still see the stars, and it's quiet, so butcher, barber and shoemaker are such an you can really hear what people are doing on In 1889, when Ocean Avenue was just a dirt important part of the fabric. In Carmel, we've stage. It's almost like you've gone back in time," road running toward the beach, early Carmel lost a lot of that. So we're really proud to keep says Rebecca Barrymore, Forest Theater execu- landowner Santiago Duckworth opened the this tradition going," he says. tive director. Hotel Carmelo. Year s later, after Frank FOREST THEATER A level plot of land surrounded by pine- and oak-covered slopes inspired Herbert Heron. PINE INN This summer's production of "Hamlet" will Devendorf and Frank Powers purchased some star John Blyth Barrymore III, reviving the role of that property, people asked why there wasn't made famous by his great-grandfather, John a hotel closer to the beach. The actor and director envisioned a commu- Barrymore, in 1920s London. Similar long-stand- "So, they put it on pine logs and rolled it nity theater that featured Carmel residents star- ing relationships enrich productions at the down the street to where it is today," says John ring in plays penned by Carmel writers. Heron Forest Theater, where four generations of some Lloyd, general manager of the Pine Inn—which approached Carmel Development Company, families have taken center stage over time. is what owners renamed the property after who gave him the land rent-free. The Forest Theater opened with a production of the biblical drama "David" in 1910. The following years welcomed period productions, Shakespearean plays and classics such as "Treasure Island" and "Alice in Wonderland". Heron eventually deeded the theater to the City of Carmel, and Works Project Administration teams upgraded the facilities in 1939. Today's theater, however, stays true to the original design. "It's very unique to experience the events and plays that we're putting on, and in an outdoor environment not blocked by huge city "We're keeping the arts alive in Carmel," says Rebecca Barrymore. putting it into place on Ocean Avenue between Lincoln Street and Monte Verde Street.