Founder of ‘Josh Cellars’ To Be Recognized for
His Contributions to Theater and Arts on Cape Cod
Award To Be Presented at Playhouse 2024 Summer Gala
Dennis, MA – [JULY 16 ] – The Cape Cod Center for the Arts (CCCA) will name Joseph Carr,
founder of Josh Cellars and Cape Cod resident, the first recipient of the “Cape Playhouse
Honors” award on July 28. Carr will be recognized for his unwavering commitment to the arts
community in general and for his indelible impact on furthering the legacy of the historic Cape
Playhouse, the longest continuously operating summer theater in America.
This year’s award will be presented during the 97-year-old-theater’s annual Gala Celebration,
which will take place on the CCCA’s grounds in Dennis Village.
Carr, a renowned name in the wine industry, has not only brought exceptional wines to the
world, but also has demonstrated a profound commitment to fostering and supporting the
performing arts.
“Joseph Carr makes an extraordinary difference every single day,” said Linda DeRuvo-Keegan,
president of the Board of Trustees of the CCCA. “Here on Cape Cod, he has been a great gift to
the arts community. He has been instrumental in ensuring the vibrancy and sustainability of
artistic endeavors all across the Cape,” she said. “Through his generosity, commitment, and
personal engagement, Joe has had an enduring impact on The Cape Playhouse, and so we honor
him for his countless contributions. This award is one way of expressing our deepest gratitude.”
Carr created the Josh Cellars brand as a tribute to his father, who taught his son the importance
of giving back. “I am committed to giving back to causes that matter to me,” Carr said. “What I
learned from my father—and what I have found in my own life—is that it’s important to start by
helping your own community, your own neighborhood first. And The Cape Playhouse is literally
in my own neighborhood. I also believe that at its best, theater can help us to understand each
other and appreciate our differences—and The Cape Playhouse is theater at its best. For these and so many other reasons, I am honored to be the first recipient of the Cape Playhouse Honors
Award.”
In addition to recognizing Carr at the Gala, the CCCA will celebrate community, philanthropy,
and the performing arts. The program will feature a special performance by Broadway star Julia
Knitel, who headlines the Playhouse’s production of Beautiful—the Carol King Musical. The
evening’s events also will include an elegant welcome reception with cocktails and hors
d’oeuvres, to be followed by dinner and a live auction. Attendees will have the opportunity to
meet Carr, Knitel, and the cast of Beautiful, who will join Gala attendees at dinner.
“We hope the community will participate in this extraordinary salute to Joe Carr,” said DeRuvo-
Keegan. “His impact is felt across the region, and this event is a wonderful opportunity to say
thank you.”
The annual Gala is an important fundraiser for The Cape Playhouse, with all proceeds directly
supporting the theater’s mission of providing high-quality theatrical productions and educational
opportunities for the Cape Cod community. Tickets for the Gala are available now and can be
purchased through The Cape Playhouse’s website at capeplayhouse.com or by calling the box
office at 508.385.3911. Early reservations are encouraged. Individual or corporate sponsorships
are also available by contacting Executive Director Nora Carey or Artistic Director Eric Rosen.
The CCCA is a not-for-profit organization that owns and operates The Cape Playhouse and owns
the Cape Cinema. The Cape Playhouse, which was founded in 1927, is America’s oldest
continuously operating professional summer theater. Located in Dennis, the Playhouse has a
storied history of presenting high-quality theatrical productions, attracting renowned actors and
directors, and nurturing emerging talent—so much so that the New York Times once referred to
the historic venue as “the place where Broadway goes to summer.” The Cape Playhouse remains
dedicated to enriching the cultural life of Cape Cod through outstanding performances and
educational programs.
