ELLENVILLE, NY — “I’m Not Rappaport,” the opening play of the 2025 season at the Shadowland Stages, was special to Grahamsville. The co-star of the show was Judd Hirsch, who resides in Sundown, just a stone’s throw uphill from Grahamsville.

This is the 40th anniversary season for the theatre, which is located in Ellenville. 

Hirsch, 90, has had a home in the foothills of Sundown since 1960. He had previously appeared in the same role as “Nate,” a very senior citizen. Nate is one of two very senior citizens, independent and opinionated, who spend their remaining lives on two park benches in the wilds of Central Park in New York City in October 1982. 

Among his many awards, Hirsch won an acclaimed Broadway Tony Award for his acerbic, insightful and hilarious acting performance in Herb Gardner’s “I’m Not Rappaport.” He reprised this performance every Tuesday through Sunday at 8 pm—plus a Sunday matinee—in June.

Among his prior credits, Hirsch won two Emmys in the TV series “Taxi” and acted in the science fiction movie “Independence Day.” 

Co-starring in “I’m Not Rappaport” was the prestigious Eugene Lee (as “Midge”) who has worked and traveled with the renowned Negro Theatre Ensemble. Among his artistic achievements, he has brought playwrights and students together to work with professional directors and performers to work on new plays with those aspiring to have their voices heard. 

Other invaluable supporting cast members were Jim Bracchitta, Lena Pepe, Owen Campbell, Zane Pais and Cassie Beck, recruited primarily from the Atlantic Theater Company in New York City.

Among artistic director Brendan Burke’s production team, the most spectacular stars were scenic designers Christopher Swader and Justin Swader, plus their crew, who built the breathtaking, stage-wide, exquisitely detailed stone Central Park Overpass, where characters walked across the top and passed underneath. 

One final note: The Shadowland Theater was packed with mostly older people. At the end, all the performers were given a standing ovation, but much of the audience had trouble standing up.