‘Summer Starlight’ Gala Benefits Cape Rep Theatre

On Aug. 9 at 6:30 p.m., Cape Rep Theatre will be hosting Summer Starlight 2026. The event, which will take place on the patio and in the barn on Cape Rep’s campus in Brewster, supports all of the theater’s operations, from their productions to educational programming, and artistic development.

The evening will feature a pre-show party with hors d’oeuvres and an oyster bar, a live auction, and even a special appearance. Producing Artistic Director Janine Perry said the evening is Cape Rep’s primary major fundraiser.

“Most small nonprofits, even large ones, have one big gala a year where they try to raise a significant amount of funds for the operations of the institution. And that's what this is to us,” said Perry. “It's our one major fundraiser of the year, and it's been going on now for at least 14 years or so. It not only raises money, but it raises awareness of the institution in a way that only happens when you have something big.”

There are four listed items on the auction docket. First is a walk-on role in a 2027 production. The listing offers the opportunity to join the cast for an on-stage cameo in costume and a photo with the cast to “commemorate your theatrical debut.” The item also includes a backstage tour and two tickets to the performance. Second is a pair of five-play subscriptions to the 2027 season. This item includes a priority parking spot for each show that will feature the winner’s name. There is also an opportunity for a lobster dinner with tickets for up to six people to be held in the Cape Rep Barn prior to the show. The dinner would be prepared and served by the Cape Rep Board of Trustees. The last item offers the opportunity for a catered dinner from the Family Table Collaborative for up to 10 guests at your home.

Beyond the auction, the evening gives stakeholders an opportunity to see what’s to come at Cape Rep, according to Perry.

“What we're providing in terms of the focus of the evening always has something to do with theater or entertainment,” she said. “Sometimes it started out by getting a star of note into the theater and interviewing them about their experience in theater. This year is particularly relevant because what we're doing is taking a new musical that we commissioned from local musicians and local people, which is part of our mission to serve the artists who live here. And these are Paddo, Seamus and Macklin Devine who have written a musical, a new musical that we will be producing in December.”

Cape Rep Theatre features an indoor season that runs from May through December, typically producing four to five plays each year. The institution also has an educational component that offers professional theater training with classes in acting, directing and playwriting along with master classes in those areas and more. There is also an internship program for young artists and an outreach program that features company members in musical reviews that perform at senior centers, libraries and nursing homes. All of these are programs or parts of the theater that benefit from funding events like Summer Starlight 2026 contributes.

Tickets are limited, cost $150 and can be purchased on caperep.org or by calling the Cape Rep Theatre box office at 508-896-1888.