Y2000 is Y38 for SMP. In 1962, John F. Kennedy was in the White House, John Glenn became the first American to orbit the earth, Johnny Carson took over hosting duties of "The Tonight Show," Tony Bennett won a Record of the Year Grammy for "I Left My Heart in San Francisco," the cost of a first-class stamp was four cents, Marilyn Monroe died--and the Santa Monica Playhouse opened its doors for the first time with a ticket price of $1.50.

The Playhouse and its programs have grown vastly since then, touching the lives of almost four million audience members, half a million students and educators both on-site and in the school system, a quarter of a million scholarship and under-served students and educators, 5000 performers, new playwrights, and theatre artists and 150,000 international audience members, artists and students through 35 cultural exchanges.

The Playhouse's 38th birthday year will continue to offer a wide variety of plays, performance art pieces and special events for audiences of all ages. As a special Playhouse birthday present, any audience member born in 1962 who stops by to wish the theatre "Happy Birthday" between June 2000 and April 2001 will receive the special birthday discount price of two tickets for $19.62 to see any of the Playhouse's regularly scheduled shows.

Santa Monica Playhouse is located at 1211 Fourth St. For tickets and information call (310) 394-9779 or visit santamonicaplayhouse.com

-- By Willard Manus
Southern California Correspondent