Carmel Magazine

Musketeers of the local theater community. GroveMont eventually decamped for larger digs on Washington Street in Monterey, but the group always dreamed of owning its building. That chance came when a noteworthy piece of Carmel real estate came up on the market. The historic Golden Bough Theater was founded in the early 1920s by Edward Kuster. Described as "the most beautiful and perfectly equipped inti- mate playhouse in America," the original building burned in 1935 and was resurrected at its pres- ent site on Monte Verde. After serving for decades as a United Artists cine- ma, the building was tired and its owners decided to sell. "I had spent many hours watching movies there as a kid," Moorer says. "When I learned that the property was being advertised as four residential lots, I knew something need- ed to be done to save the theater." The Musketeers raised half a million dollars in (Top) Early bohemian thespians pose in front of the Carmel Arts & Crafts Clubhouse. (Center) Moorer's group, originally called GroveMont, bought the Golden Bough Theater, seen here circa 1920s-40s. PacRep is the rare theatre company that owns its own building. 132 C A R M E L M A G A Z I N E • W I N T E R 2 0 1 4 One of PacRep's best selling shows of all time, "The Buddy Holly Tribute" stars Travis Poelle as the 1950s rocker, providing an entertaining night with live music by the Big Bopper, Ritchie Valens and Holly. All photos: Courtesy of PacRep Theatre 130-133 Pac Rep_Layout 1/24/14 7:39 AM Page 3

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