On the very same date of the Boothbay Playhouse’s grand opening in 2005, June 27, Susan and Dean Domeyer held the venue’s grand closing party last weekend.

The evening marked the end of another theatrical chapter in the playhouse’s history, and in the lives of the performers whose talents translated into sold out shows year after year.

Attended by approximately 160 actor/singers, back stage assistants, and friends, treasured moments were shared prompting laughter — and more than a few tears.

Highlights of the evening included a slideshow by Susan Domeyer of rehearsal and production photos, many of which elicited applause from the actors, now the audience. Theater folk are always in a performing state of mind, believe it. And on this night, the playhouse was filled to the brim with them.

So, what do you do with a barn full of singers at a closing party for their beloved venue? Get ’em all on stage (or half of them, anyway) for a rousing and a-rambling, “There’s No Business Like Show Business,” followed by farewell performances by about a quarter of those attending as soloists, trios and duets. 

Some of those performers, accompanied by Aaron Robinson on piano, were Nick Azzaretti from “Fiddler On the Roof,” Deb Beam singing “That Devil Moon,” from “Finian’s Rainbow,” Andy Luke dedicated “Hello Dolly,” to Ellie “Dolly Levi” Busby, who was brought up on stage during the song by John David Adams and Nancy Durgin; and Aaron Robinson, accompanied by himself, sang (yes sang!) “That’ll Do.”

Songs. Laughter. Love. Tears.

It was a bittersweet evening for everyone, particularly for the Domeyers, who had to make the decision to close the playhouse and to put it up for sale.

“Dean and I had 10 of the best years of our lives running the playhouse,” Susan Domeyer said. “When we first started out we had no idea how all consuming, and at times, overwhelming it would be. But it was also incredibly rewarding and we loved almost every minute of it.

“There are so many people to thank for helping us along the way, people who gave freely of their time to rehearse and perform; and to help with costuming, set building and finding props; helping out backstage and at the front of the theater during shows and so much more. 

“The number of people that we owe a debt of gratitude to is too long to list, and we thank you all from the bottom of our hearts. A special thank you also has to go out to the entire Bishop family.”

Susan Domeyer said the playhouse was “something of an anomaly” for the past decade.

“We will be putting the playhouse on the market, and our hope is that it will sell as a theater. If it does, I will be the first person volunteering to help.”