Burn Brae facility sold during 2001. According to the recorded phone
message the plan to open in February 2002 has been delayed. A new and exciting production is in
the planning for later in 2002/2003. To show your interest in Burn Brae
Productions, call
(301)384-5800, Washington, DC or
(410) 792-0290, Baltimore, MD
In early April, 1968, John Kinnamon and his associates leased, what was then, the club
house of the Burn Brae Swim and Tennis Club in order to present a showcase of area talent.
Talent that had just been left homeless with the demise of the American Light Opera
Company in Washington, D.C. Mr. Kinnamon was, at the time, employed as a television
director with NBC-TV with a diverse background as a summer stock performer and as a tenor
soloist with both the National Symphony Orchestra and the Boston Pops under the direction
of Arthur Fieldler. With this directorial and artistic background he realized the urgency
of finding a stage for these performers so that the wonderful array of Washington talent
could continue to delight audiences throughout the area. The vehicle offering the best
potential for success was the little known concept of dinner theatre. A concept only
recently having been initiated in the southeastern section of the United States. A plywood
stage was hastily erected in the Burn Brae club house, a caterer was selected for the food
operation, and efforts began on the Lerner and Loewe musical: Brigadoon, which opened on
May 24, 1968.
 It was, as early critics such as the Washington Post's Richard L Coe maintained, a
quality production that overcame the problems of a catered food operation and the
limitations of a small, non-air conditioned facility seating only 150 persons.
"Brigadoon'' was followed with similarly acclaimed productions of "West Side
Story" and "South Pacific."
On December 18, 1968, Mr. Kinnamon went into partnership with Bernard T. Levin, a
successful trial attorney in Washington, D.C. Their combination of business, artistic, and
legal expertise helped overcome the many pitfalls they were to encounter during the early
years of the Burn Brae operation. The picture turned from a formative experiment to a
thnving, successful enterprise and the two men purchased the Burn Brae Swim and Tennis
Club property in May 1972.
Burn Brae consists of 11.7 acres of land and the Burn Brae Dinner Theatre itself.
Between 1968 and 1987, Burn Brae underwent two expansions, creating a facility with a
seating capacity of 350 people. In May, 1989, Burn Brae completed a major expansion and
renovation which included a new seating section, spacious lobby, offices, rest rooms, and
handicapped facilities. Burn Brae Productions expanded their enterprse and produced
musicals year-round for Mickey Rooney's Downington Inn Dinner Theatre in Downington,
Pennsylvania, the Riverfront Dinner Theatre in Philadelphia and City Line Dinner Theatre
in Philadelphia: An Actor's Equity operation starring such personalities as Caesar Romero,
Andrea McCardle, Joe Namath, Zsa Zsa Gabor, and Terri Moore.
Burn Brae has also produced musicals for dinner theatre and conventions in Dallas and
Houston, Texas; Miami Beach, Florida; Boston, Massachusetts; Wildwood, New Jersey;
Charlottesville, Virginia and Baltimore, Maryland. Over 200 Burn Brae actors have gone on
to successful Broadway, film and operatic careers!
The establishment of the area's first dinner theatre is due largely to the efforts as
stated, and to the staff; professional performers, technical and kitchen personel, but
pamarily by the acceptance and response by you: The Audience. You have made the Burn Brae
Story possible. As we enter our 25th year of operation, we thank you for your patronage
and support.
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