WELLS — What started in a renovated garage during the Great Depression has become one of the premier summer theaters in New England.

But it needs the community’s help to remain that way, officials with the Ogunquit Playhouse told members of the local business community Friday morning during the monthly “Eggs and Issues” presentation by York County Community College.

Kelly Thayer, manager of individual giving at the theater, said in addition to ticket sales, the theater needs donations and sponsorships to sustain itself.

“She’s an old girl; she needs a lot of work,” said Thayer. “But we want to keep her alive.”

Ogunquit Playhouse Director of Marketing and Public Relations Cheryl Farley gave an overview of the theater’s history.

It was founded in 1933 by Broadway producer Walter Hartwig and his wife Maude as part of the “little theater movement,” which brought theater out of the big cities and into more rural areas.

In 1937, the present playhouse on Route 1 was built. It is the only summer theater from that era built expressly for the purpose of summer theater, said Farley. With 700 seats, it was built to “rival New York City,” she said.

Over the years, the theater has made some changes to remain successful. John Lane, who owned the playhouse from 1950-94, started using television actors to compete with the popularity of the small screen.

In the 1990s, the theater became a nonprofit – and if it hadn’t changed its business model, it probably would not have survived, said Farley.

Today, the theater has an all-musical format. The season, which runs from May to November, is also longer.

Over the years, a number of actors have graced the stage at the Ogunquit Playhouse, including local favorite Sally Struthers, Bette Davis, Walter Matthau, Carson Kressley and Patty Duke – to name a few. Shows are cast in New York, and thousands audition, said Farley.

“It truly is Broadway on the beach,” said “Eggs and Issues” committee member Cathy Goodwin.

The Ogunquit Playhouse will open its 2016 season on May 18 with “Let it Be,” a Beatles tribute show, followed by “Anything Goes,” opening June 15; “The Hunchback of Notre Dame,” opening July 13; “Priscilla, Queen of the Desert,” opening Aug. 10; “Seven Brides for Seven Brothers,” opening Sept. 7; and “Million Dollar Quartet,” opening Oct. 5.

The next “Eggs and Issues” is scheduled for May 13 with Virgina Manuel, Maine state director of the USDA Loan Program. For more information, visit yccc.edu/business-community/ community/eggsissues.

— Staff Writer Liz Gotthelf can be contacted at 282-1535, ext. 325 or egotthelf@journaltribune.com.