Contributed photo Pictured, from left, are Franklin Trapp as Thomas Jefferson and Norman Duttweiler as John Adams in the Forestburgh Playhouse production of “1776.” (Click for larger image)

Forestburgh Playhouse begins with a bang, or, uh, boom

By TOM KANE

FORESTBURGH — Why travel all the way to New York City when you have first rate Equity theatre here in Sullivan County?

For the 54th year, the Forestburgh Playhouse is mounting a dazzling playbill for the summer at its theater on Forestburgh Road just west of Route 52.

Actors, young and old, experienced and apprenticed, come here from all over the country. In addition, the Playhouse offers acting and stage opportunities to many local talents. Young actors earn points for their Equity card, an important talisman for a successful career in the theatre.

Can you name the Best Musical Tony Award winners for 1969, 1980, 1976, and 1964? If you answered “1776,” “42nd Street,” “A Chorus Line” and “Fiddler on the Roof,” you not only would rank as an expert in American musical comedy, but you would also be listing this year’s season at the Forestburgh Playhouse.

“This is probably the greatest season of blockbusters the Playhouse has ever produced,” said Playhouse producer Norman Duttweiler.

“1776” is the season opener, and this Fourth of July you’re invited to celebrate the 225th birthday of our country at the Playhouse,” he said.

You’ll see Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, John Adams and the entire Continental Congress sing and dance their way into the birth of the nation.

When the original production opened on Broadway in 1969, Clive Barnes of The New York Times wrote: “‘1776’ is a most striking, most gripping musical. I recommend it without reservation. This is a musical with style, humanity and passion.”

	Contributed photo Franklin Trapp and Samantha Black pose at Mr. and Mrs. Jefferson in the Forestburgh Playhouse’s “1776.” (Click for larger image)

The Forestburgh rendition will be staged by the nationally known director, Ron Nash, who has just come off a national tour of “Eleanor: Her Secret Journey” with Jean Stapleton.

“‘1776’ is a show for the family, for adults, teenagers—and especially for those who think anything to do with American history is dry and boring,” said Duttweiler.

“1776” opens June 26 and runs through July 8. To encourage attendance by young people, the Playhouse is offering a 50-percent ticket discount to all viewers under 17 when accompanied by an adult to a matinee performance.

The current Broadway hit and winner of the 2001 Tony Award for Best Revival, “42nd Street,” will play from July 10 through July 22. The show has such stoppers as “You’re Getting to be a Habit with Me,” “Shuffle Off to Buffalo,” “We’re in the Money,” “the Lullaby of Broadway” and other great songs and tap dancing.

“A Chorus Line,” the next production, is a celebration of those unsung heroes and heroines of American musical theatre — the chorus dancers. It will run July 24 through August 5.

“This is a musical that grabs you with the first downbeat and won’t let you go until the final glorious finale, ‘One Singular Sensation’ ” Duttweiler said.

For many residents of Sullivan County, the theatrical high point of this summer at Forestburgh will be the production of “Fiddler on the Roof” which runs from August 7 through 19. Featuring Joel Briel, from the Broadway company of “Cats,” as Tevye, “Fiddler” promises to sell out as it always does at the Playhouse, Duttweiler said.

The Playhouse follows this string of musical blockbusters with two non-musical favorites. “Ten Little Indians” is vintage Agatha Christie, and the Broadway hit that became a movie, “On Golden Pond,” will also run.

“Indians” runs from August 21 to 26, and “Pond” runs from August 28 to September 2.

This season’s evening performances will be presented at 8:00 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday with matinees on Wednesday at 2:00 p.m. and Sunday at 3:00 p.m.

YAFF (The Young Audience Festival at Forestburgh) will once again be presenting original musical productions created especially for ages three through 12. Scheduled this season are “Peter Rabbit (June 28, 30, July 5, 7), “Aladdin” (July 12, 14, 19, 21), “Pinocchio” (July 26, 28, August 2, 4) and “The Princess and the Pea” (August 9, 11, 16, 18).

YAFF shows are at 11:00 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. on Thursdays and 1:30 p.m. on Saturdays. Tickets are $7 for children, $8 for adults.

The Tavern at the Playhouse will also be presenting its nightly cabarets after each production and reservations are recommended. There is an $8.95 minimum charge.

Theater tickets range from $21.95 to $26.95. For information and reservations, call 845/794-1194 between noon and 5:00 p.m. daily. The Playhouse’s web site is www.FBPlayhouse.com.