The idea of putting a play on top of Mt. Tam came about when three hikers, Garnet Holme, John C. Catlin and Richard O’Rourke, stopped in the popular hiking area Rock Spring, to take in the breathtaking view of the Bay. Mr. Holme, a director, playwright and UC Berkeley drama coach, is said to have exclaimed, “What a perfect setting for an outdoor theatre.” This would become the Cushing Memorial Amphitheatre with annual productions delighting audiences for over 100 years.
The first play entitled “Abraham and Isaac,” was performed on May 4, 1913 directed by Mr. Holme. More than 1,200 people attended paying an admission price of 50 cents. And, the only way to get to the amphitheater was to ride the Mount Tamalpais & Muir Woods Railway from downtown Mill Valley or hike up the mountain.
The Mountain Play Association was formed the following year to make the shows an annual event. United States Congressman William Kent deeded the land for the amphitheater, and it was named after the mountain railroad magnate, Sidney B. Cushing, a conservation crusader of Mt. Tam. The Association held the deed until 1936 when it was donated to California to complete the Mount Tamalpais State Park. The Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) begin work to quarry and set “rock terraces” for the 3,750 seat stone amphitheater. |
Despite strong talent and community support, there were many challenges along the way. In 1924, the area was closed due to an epidemic of Hoof & Mouth disease. In 1929, the beloved director, Garnet Holme, had a tragic fall coming down a steep trail from his Larkspur home and died three days later. There was discussion about postponing the play until the next year to honor Mr. Holme, but it was decided that he would have wanted the play to go on and it was dedicated to his memory. In the early 1930s, the trains stopped running up and down the mountain due to decreased patronage because of the Depression. During 1942-1945, the U.S. Army took over the mountain so no plays were presented. In 1977, Marilyn Smith took over as executive producer and the Mountain Play focused Broadway-style musicals resulting in a financial revival and increased attendance. In 2013, The Mountain Play celebrated its 100th anniversary with a production of “The Sound of Music”. |