The Forestburgh Playhouse is the oldest continuously operating summer theater, in

New York New York most commonly refers to: * New York City, the most populous city in the United States, located in the state of New York * New York (state), a state in the northeastern United States New York may also refer to: Film and television * '' ...

State, south of Monticello. Founded in 1947 by John Grahame and Alexander Maissel, it was originally the Forestburgh Summer Theatre, until 1980, when the name was changed to the Forestburgh Playhouse. One of a handful of small summer theaters left in the country. The 292-seat theater operates during the summers only, from mid-June through

Labor Day Labor Day is a federal holiday in the United States celebrated on the first Monday in September to honor and recognize the American labor movement and the works and contributions of laborers to the development and achievements of the United St ...

. Summer stock productions include

Broadway Broadway may refer to: Theatre * Broadway Theatre (disambiguation) * Broadway theatre, theatrical productions in professional theatres near Broadway, Manhattan, New York City, U.S. ** Broadway (Manhattan), the street **Broadway Theatre (53rd Stree ...

classics, musicals, and original musicals for children. They also have a musical cabaret after every evening performance, in their adjoining tavern. On a reader's choice article, the ''

Times Herald-Record The ''Times Herald-Record'', often referred to as ''The Record'' or ''Middletown Record'' in its coverage area, is a daily newspaper published in Middletown, New York, covering the northwest suburbs of New York City. It covers Orange, Sullivan ...

'' named the playhouse, one of the Top Ten Attractions, in the Hudson Valley for 2009. Every year the playhouse hires a company of more than 50, including actors (Equity, to play the leading roles in each show and non-Equity who form the Resident Acting Company who perform, in all main stage musicals, as well as children's theatre (YAFF) and cabaret), Equity stage manager for full season, directors, musicians, designers and technicians. Under an agreement with the

Actors’ Equity Association The Actors' Equity Association (AEA), commonly referred to as Actors' Equity or simply Equity, is an American trade union, labor union representing those who work in live theater, live theatrical performance. Performers appearing in live stage ...

, the union of professional actors and stage managers, the Playhouse employs professional actors, often with Broadway or other major credits, as well as a company of non-union professionals who earn credit toward their own eventual membership in the Actors’ Equity Association.

References

External links

* {{coord, 41.550378, -74.753126, type:landmark_globe:earth_region:US-NY, display=title Theatres in New York (state) Buildings and structures in Sullivan County, New York Tourist attractions in Sullivan County, New York 1947 establishments in New York (state) Theatres completed in 1947