Forestburgh Playhouse
A Stellar 80th Season
The Miracle of the Forest
Our ongoing commitment to Sullivan County continued this year with collaborations to highlight and support NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness), The Forestburgh Fire Company, The Monticello and Liberty Rotary Clubs, as well as providing ticket donations to dozens of local businesses and non-profit organizations to support their fundraising efforts.
But we didn’t stop there. We also had an incredible run of our Family Fun Production: The Wizard of Oz. The presentation of this timeless classic featured our Resident Company as well as an ensemble consisting of local young artists who displayed remarkable theatrical talent. From emerging middle and high schoolers, to those finishing their college degrees, the Jr. ResCo and ResCo formed lasting bonds as they learned the ins and outs of musical theater production from our pros.
Next door in the Tavern we also mounted 6 Dinner Cabarets featuring the ResCo as well as some Playhouse alumni. And how could we forget our special event series, featuring several popular shows including Drag Me to the Catskills, Natural Born Woman: The Songs of Carole King, and concert nights featuring local bands Fisher Cat and Far Beyond Gone.
We also had another incredible year with the Forestburgh Playhouse Academy as we welcomed 70+ young artists for the One Week Musical Theatre Ensemble Experience for ages 8–12 (culminating in Beauty and the Beat), and the Two Week Musical Theatre Intensive for ages 13–17 (culminating in Freaky Friday).
Reflecting on our 80th Anniversary
To celebrate our 80th Season, we produced a lineup of shows that uplifts everything the Playhouse has stood for since its humble beginnings and fuels the magic that the next 80 seasons have in store. Patrons responded with packed houses, glowing reviews, and incredible feedback, further reflecting the impact that our beloved little theatre makes. During this thrilling anniversary season, we featured 7 Mainstage productions. From Tony Award-winning blockbusters such as Dear Evan Hansen, Hairspray, and Come From Away, to dynamic and intimate selections like The Bridges of Madison County, Million Dollar Quartet, and Once, this was a season to remember.
Carrying on a Legacy
From its original conception 80 seasons ago, the founders of the Playhouse envisioned a place for young artists to thrive, develop, and learn while delivering Broadway-quality live theatre to the beautiful Sullivan Catskills. This summer alone, the Playhouse employed over 200 artists, technicians, and staff from 14 different states across the country to bring art to life for our cherished Forestburgh community.
In the Works – In the Woods Returns for its 6th Year!
During an exhilarating weekend in September, dozens of creators from around the country came to Forestburgh for our 6th Annual IN THE WORKS~IN THE WOODS FESTIVAL to rehearse, rewrite, commune, workshop and share their gifts with our community at large. Over the course of the Festival weekend, we presented staged readings of new plays and musicals including The Homefront, Hut Hut Hike, and The Color of Things. In addition, the Festival featured two new solo cabaret acts, Q & A talkbacks with our audiences, Off The Cuff conversations with award-winning and world-renowned artists Jeanine Tesori and David Loud, and tastings by local food and beverage artisans. Plan to join us next year!
Donate Today:
If you enjoyed celebrating with us this season, please consider making a charitable donation to the Forestburgh Playhouse today! You can do so by CLICKING HERE.
A Remarkable Resident Company
Cast from a pool of over 1,000 applicants, this season featured 13 emerging young artists from some of the top performing arts programs in colleges across the country. This year you saw them in our Mainstage Shows, Cabarets, and The Wizard of Oz, but don’t be shocked if next year you see them join our many alumni on Broadway stages or National Tours.
Our 81st Season Announcement is just around the corner!
If you enjoyed our lineup of blockbuster shows during our banner 80th Season, just wait until we release the titles for 2027! Stay tuned, because the 81st Season is being prepared as we speak and we will be rolling out announcements soon.
This upcoming season will feature an exciting array of Broadway musicals and plays, cabarets, a Family Fun offering and so much more!
We Love our Loyal Patrons.
Whether you were a season ticket holder this season or a first time guest, your patronage and commitment to supporting live theatre is what has allowed the Playhouse to open its doors for the last 80 seasons. This year, from the bottom of our hearts, thank you for being a member of the Forestburgh Playhouse family.
We cannot wait to welcome you back to the Playhouse for another 80 seasons and beyond. The best is truly yet to come.
With gratitude,
FT
