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When people think of local theatre, they generally think of 'Community' theatre. But Rocklanders are fortunate to have a professional theatre right in their backyard. The difference between the two is that community theatre features residents of the local community, while theatres such as Penguin Rep in Stony Point feature individuals who are actors, directors, and designers by profession. The actors are members of the Actors' Equity Association, the directors are members of the Society of Stage Directors and Choreographers, and the designers are members of United Scenic Artists Local 829.
Under the dynamic leadership of founding Artistic Director Joe Brancato and executive director Andrew M. Horn, Penguin Rep Theatre in Stony Point has grown in 47 years from a summer theatre in a converted 1880s hay barn to become one of the Hudson Valley's most enduring nonprofit cultural institutions. Many plays that started at Penguin have moved to off-Broadway theatres and regional theatres around the country. Since its founding in 1977 by Brancato and Fran Newman-McCarthy, Penguin Rep has entertained more than 400,000 people with outstanding productions of 200+ plays. And not just any plays but new works by established and emerging writers, making it a true cultural gem in Rockland and the Hudson Valley.
In fact, the New York Times dubbed Penguin "the gutsiest little theatre": "Guided by the skilled hand of Penguin's artistic director, Joe Brancato, the splendid performers get first-rate support, as always at Penguin, by an excellent design team."
This year's season will include the world premiere of THE SABBATH GIRL: A NEW MUSICAL by award-winning composer/lyricist Neil Berg, a resident of Nyack; the comedy CENTENNIAL CASTING; KEN LUDWIG'S DEAR JACK, DEAR LOUISE, in which the award-winning playwright (Lend Me a Tenor, Crazy for You) recounts his parents' courtship during World War II; and the world premiere of THE STEEL MAN by Cary Gitter, Penguin's playwright-in-residence.
One of the benefits of being local is that area residents can purchase and take advantage of season tickets to Penguin Rep, which are now on sale. Season ticket holders get the best seats in the house before general tickets go on sale, and there are value-added features such as post-performance discussions among the artists and audience, pre-show tastings supplied by local
restaurants, dining discounts at area restaurants, and discounts on additional tickets and ticket insurance for lost or forgotten tickets.
dining discounts at area restaurants, and discounts on additional tickets and ticket insurance for lost or forgotten tickets.
Participating restaurants include Fireside Steak Pub, Hudson Water Club, Hudson’s Mill Tavern, Lynch’s on the Green, and Stony Point Family Diner.
Season tickets are as little as $140 for the four plays, a savings of 30% off the cost of individual tickets. To order tickets or for further information, visit Penguin Rep’s website at WWW.PENGUINREP.ORG or call 845-786-2873.
About Penguin Rep Theatre
Penguin Rep Theatre (Penguin Players, Ltd.), based in a converted 1880s barn in historic Stony Point (Rockland County), New York, is a nonprofit professional theatre company now in its 45th year of operation.
Joe Brancato was a high school English and drama teacher in 1977 when he peered into an abandoned 1880s hay barn in Stony Point, New York, and envisioned the space repurposed into a theatre.
More than 40 years later, Penguin Rep – the theatre Brancato started with Francine Newman-McCarthy and runs with executive director Andrew M. Horn -- has grown from a summer theatre to become one of the Hudson Valley’s most enduring cultural institutions, reaching tens of thousands of theatergoers each year at its home, in New York City and beyond – with its work moving to Off Broadway and to stages across the country and around the world.
Since its founding in 1977, Penguin has presented more than 150 productions – over 100 directed by Brancato himself -- for more than 400,000 people from the lower Hudson Valley and beyond. And Mr. Brancato has brought together accomplished professional actors – David Canary, Michael Cullen, Tim De Kay, Gregg Edelman, Michael Esper, Barbara Feldon, Tovah Feldshuh, Beth Fowler, Deborah Hedwall, Celeste Holm, Richard Kline, Andrew McCarthy, Lizbeth Mackay, Michele Pawk, and Karen Ziemba, among others – to star in new and noteworthy plays by such playwrights as Lee Blessing, Ronald Harwood, Allan Knee, Arthur Laurents, Warren Leight, Jon Marans, William Mastrosimone, Lainie Robertson, James Sherman and Elizabeth Swados.
