I’ve been to many different concert sites, but none compare to the quaint, laid back feel of the Cape Cod Melody Tent. With a revolving stage and free seating (none more than 50 feet from the stage), the tented outdoor venue is one of the Cape’s long standing traditions operated by South Shore Playhouse Associates, a non-profit organization promoting culture and the arts for Cape Cod. The theater originated in 1932 in the South Shore community of Cohasset where stars like Humphrey Bogart, Josephine Hull and Van Heflin attracted audiences from Boston to Cape Cod. The South Shore players soon outgrew the small town hall location and in 1950, when tented theaters began emerging along the East coast, the present day Cape Cod Melody Tent in Hyannis was established.
This year, we had the opportunity to enjoy some classic children’s performances (Cinderella and the Three Little Pigs) with our 2 ½ year old daughter who is still scratching her chin chanting, “not by the hair on my chinny chin chin.” But for those of you who are beyond fairy tales and nursery rhymes, this summer’s line-up features big names like The Beach Boys on August 7th, Tony Bennett on August 15th, American Idol runner up, Adam Lambert on August 19th, and the B-52’s on August 21st.
On your way to the theater, grab dinner at Pain d’Avignon (check out my previous blog entry), a European style boulangerie featuring chef Toby Hill’s innovative cuisine coupled with a rare beer list and fantastic desserts.
