money Beloved actress and comedian Betty White was on stage in Ogunquit more than 50 years ago
OGUNQUIT, Maine – As Americans mourn the loss of Betty White, Mainers can feel a certain pride that the beloved actress once had her moment on stage at The Ogunquit Playhouse.
White, the last Golden Girl, died on New Year’s Eve, less than three weeks shy of what would have been her 100th birthday on Jan. 17. The Ogunquit Playhouse paid tribute to her on its Facebook page, noting White and her husband, Allen Ludden, had appeared locally in a 1968 production of the Harry Kurnitz comedy, “Once More, With Feeling!”
The Playhouse described White as “hysterically funny,” a description that can be attested by anyone who has ever seen the actress perform on such TV shows as “The Mary Tyler Moore Show,” “The Golden Girls,” and “The Tonight Show.” And let’s not forget White’s stint as a host on “Saturday Night Live,” following a social media campaign to have the then-88-year-old appear on the program.
The Playhouse wished White a happy birthday on its Facebook page when she turned 97 a couple of years ago, also taking that occasion to mention her 1968 performance in Ogunquit.
Underneath that post, one commenter told a story that captures White’s draw and star power. Dave Deering said he and his mother took in a matinee of “Once More, With Feeling” when they passed the Playhouse on Route 1 and saw White’s name on the marquee.
“On the spur of the moment, we pulled over and went to the show!” Deering wrote.
On its post the day White died, the Playhouse described her life and career as “fabulous.”
“Her quick wit and zest for life ... will continue inspiring millions for generations to come,” the Playhouse wrote.
This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Beloved actress Betty White performed in Ogunquit ME in 1968
