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After a government mandate and Covid-19 safety concerns shut down theatrical productions on its stage for two years, Penguin Rep Theatre will resume presenting plays, comedies and musical revues starting mid-March, artistic director Joe Brancato announced today.
"Penguin is back and better than ever," Brancato said, "and at this time of renewal we look forward to sharing stories that uplift and inspire. We are thrilled that we will return with artists like Jennifer Apple, Freedom Bremner, Thomas Caruso, Cary Gitter, two-time Tony Award-winning designer Brian Ronan, Paul Shapiro, and Mark Waldrop, among many others who will help us light up the theatre again."
Tickets can be purchased here https://tix5.centerstageticketing.com/sites/penguinrep6/events.php Use the code GMGPR at checkout to save $5.00.
The 2022 season - the professional Equity theatre's 44th - follows a successful series of musical concerts and events produced inside and outside the historic structure and continues Penguin's commitment to new works with four world premieres.
Kicking off the season from March 18 through March 27 is SMALL, written and performed by Robert Montano and directed by Jessi D. Hill.
A bullied young man finds strength and gains respect as a jockey atop a racehorse but what happens when he begins to (literally) outgrow his dream? SMALL follows Montano’s real-life roller-coaster ride from Belmont Park Racetrack to starring roles on Broadway where he has been directed by Rob Marshall, Hal Prince, Jerome Robbins and George C. Wolfe, appeared with Chita Rivera in KISS OF THE SPIDERWOMAN, and sang and danced with Peter Allen in LEGS DIAMOND. He also partnered Catherine Zeta-Jones in the film CHICAGO.
Tickets for SMALL are $35 each.
Performance Times and to Purchase Tickets
The season continues April 2 through April 10 with FAR FROM THE HOME I LOVE, a concert presentation of the iconic songs from FIDDLER ON THE ROOF as reimagined by bandleader extraordinaire Paul Shapiro with a unique multicultural take. The concert, which features four musicians, three singers, and lots of heart and soul, will be presented for eight performances only. Songs by Jerry Bock & Sheldon Harnick
Tickets for FAR FROM THE HOME I LOVE are $30 each.
Performance Times and to Purchase Tickets
Up next from April 29 through May 15 is I AND YOU, a new play about youth, life, love, and the mystery of human connectedness by Lauren Gunderson, one of the country’s most widely produced authors for the stage. I AND YOU is directed by Thomas Caruso, Outer Critics Circle Award and Lucille Lortel nominee who staged the Broadway national tours of MATILDA, GHOST and MASTER CLASS.
The last thing Caroline wanted was a classmate named Anthony walking into her bedroom to work on a school project. But as the two let down their guards and share their secrets, they embark on a journey of exploration that will leave audiences breathless.
From July 8 through July 24, Penguin will produce BREATH & IMAGINATION: THE STORY OF ROLAND HAYES, an inspirational musical play by Daniel Beaty.
Before Paul Robson and Marian Anderson, there was trailblazing African-American vocalist Roland Hayes. Born the son of a slave, Roland turned adversity into opportunity, and, at his peak in the 1920s, was the highest paid singer in the world.
BREATH & IMAGINATION soars with spirituals and operatic arias as it traces Hayes’ journey from a plantation in Georgia to performing for royalty in Europe.
From August 12 through September 4, Penguin will present the world premiere of THE VIRTUOUS LIFE OF JOSEPH ANDREWS. Inspired by Henry Fielding’s novel, this rollicking comic romp through 18th-century England is the latest by Cary Gitter, author of THE SABBATH GIRL, and will be directed by Mr. Brancato.
Misadventures abound for handsome, naïve Joseph Andrews, a servant abandoned as a baby, tutored by the clueless Parson Adams, pursued by the lecherous Lady Booby, tempted by the wily chambermaid Betty, but in love with the forbidden Fanny.
Closing the season from September 30 through October 23 is another world premiere production – NOW COMES THE FUN PART, with lyrics and direction by Mark Waldrop, music by Jeffrey Lodin, and book by James Hindman and Lynne Halliday.
Turning 50 may be tricky but … now comes the fun part! Uplifting, laugh-out-loud funny, and surprisingly touching, this new musical revue celebrates in songs and scenes what happens after one reaches the milestone marked by the arrival of an AARP card in the mail.
Performances are scheduled at Penguin’s intimate, 108-seat theatre, located at 7 Crickettown Road. “The converted barn, circa 1880, has never been more inviting” (The New York Times). Says Mr. Horn, “it’s theatre so close you can feel it, with comfy upholstered seats and no seat more than 30 feet from the stage.” The theatre is air conditioned, handicapped accessible, and has plenty of free parking.
During the lengthy shutdown, Penguin made physical modifications to its venue to make the theatergoing experience safer and more comfortable. Air filtration was upgraded, air circulation modified to ensure increased exchange of inside and outside air, and high-intensity UVC light installed inside the ductwork to remove airborne and surface contaminants.
Performances of I AND YOU, BREATH & IMAGINATION, THE VIRTUOUS LIFE OF JOSEPH ANDREWS, and NOW COMES THE FUN PART will take place: Thursday evenings at 7:00 p.m., Friday evenings at 7:30 p.m., Saturday evening at 8:00 p.m., with matinees on Saturdays at 4:00 p.m. and Sundays at 2:00 p.m.
There are also matinees scheduled at 2 p.m. on Fridays, March 18 (SMALL), April 29 (I AND YOU), July 8 (BREATH & IMAGINATION), August 12 (JOSEPH ANDREWS), and September 30 (NOW COMES THE FUN PART).
Additional details about Penguin’s upcoming season, including resumption of its popular new play reading series, will be announced at a later date.
Individual tickets for mainstage productions are priced at $39 (including facility fee and service charge). Discounts are available for groups of 10 or more and young people (30 and under). Ticket prices have been reduced on average 25% from 2019.
Discounted season tickets for I AND YOU, BREATH & IMAGINATION, THE VIRTUOUS LIFE OF JOSEPH ANDREWS, and NOW COMES THE FUN PART are on sale now. Prices start as low as $104 for the four plays, a savings of 35% 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.
Over the past four decades, Penguin Rep has produced more than 150 celebrated shows, including premieres by accomplished and emerging playwrights, for over 400,000 patrons, and grown from a summer theatre to become one of the Hudson Valley’s most influential nonprofit 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.
For example, as part of its 25th anniversary season, the acclaimed Geffen Playhouse in Los Angeles is presenting TRAYF, Lindsay Joelle’s play that was developed and originally produced at Penguin, from March 1, 2022 through April 10, 2022.
PENGUIN REP THEATRE 2022 SEASON
March 18 - March 27
SMALL
Written & performed by ROBERT MONTANO
Directed by JESSI D. HILL
A bullied young man finds strength and gains respect as a jockey atop a racehorse but what happens when he begins to (literally) outgrow his dream? SMALL follows Montano’s real-life roller-coaster ride from Belmont Park Racetrack to starring roles on Broadway where he has been directed by Rob Marshall, Hal Prince, Jerome Robbins and George C. Wolfe, appeared with Chita Rivera in KISS OF THE SPIDERWOMAN, and sang and danced with Peter Allen in LEGS DIAMOND. He also partnered Catherine Zeta-Jones in the film CHICAGO. World premiere.
April 2 - April 10
FAR FROM THE HOME I LOVE
Songs by JERRY BOCK & SHELDON HARNICK
Arranged by PAUL SHAPIRO
Experience the iconic songs from FIDDLER ON THE ROOF as reimagined by bandleader extraordinaire Paul Shapiro with a unique multicultural take. The concert, which will be presented for eight performances only, features four musicians, three singers, and lots of heart and soul. World premiere.
April 29 - May 15
I AND YOU
by LAUREN GUNDERSON
Directed by THOMAS CARUSO
A stunning work about youth, life, love, and the mystery of human connectedness. The last thing Caroline wanted was a classmate named Anthony walking into her bedroom to work on a school project. But as the two let down their guards and share their secrets, they embark on a journey of exploration that will leave you breathless.
July 8 – July 24
BREATH & IMAGINATION:
THE STORY OF ROLAND HAYES
by DANIEL BEATY
Before Paul Robson and Marian Anderson, there was trailblazing African-American vocalist Roland Hayes. Born the son of a slave, Roland turned adversity into opportunity, and, at his peak in the 1920s, was the highest paid singer in the world. This inspirational musical play soars with spirituals and operatic arias as it traces Hayes’ journey from a plantation in Georgia to performing for royalty in Europe.
August 12 – September 4
THE VIRTUOUS LIFE OF JOSEPH ANDREWS
by CARY GITTER
Directed by JOE BRANCATO
Misadventures abound for handsome, naïve Joseph Andrews, a servant abandoned as a baby, tutored by the clueless Parson Adams, pursued by the lecherous Lady Booby, tempted by the wily chambermaid Betty, but in love with the forbidden Fanny. Inspired by Henry Fielding’s novel, this rollicking comic romp through 18th-century England is the latest from the author of THE SABBATH GIRL. World premiere.
September 30 – October 23
NOW COMES THE FUN PART
Lyrics & direction by MARK WALDROP
Music by JEFFREY LODIN
Book by JAMES HINDMAN & LYNNE HALLIDAY
Turning 50 may be tricky but … now comes the fun part! Uplifting, laugh-out-loud funny, and surprisingly touching, this new musical revue celebrates in songs and scenes what happens after one reaches the milestone marked by the arrival of an AARP card in the mail. World premiere.
ABOUT PENGUIN REP THEATRE
Joe Brancato was a high school English and drama teacher in 1977 when he peered into an abandoned 1880’s 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 influential nonprofit 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.
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, Ann Dowd, 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.
As The Journal News wrote: “Somebody forgot to tell artistic director Joe Brancato that he’s crazy to use a little barn plunked down in the Rockland County suburbs to experiment with unusual and challenging plays… I hope everybody keeps forgetting to tell him. The region is more the richer for it.”
“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” (The New York Times).
“Penguin Rep is a place where theatergoers can experience magic time after time” (Lohud.com).
Ann Dowd, Emmy and Critics’ Choice Award winner for THE HANDMAID’S TALE, who has starred in four productions at Penguin: “I’ve loved every experience I’ve had there, every wonderful play, every wonderful role, in that beautiful theatre in the country.”
Sarah Jessica Parker: “Joe Brancato dreamed it … and now Penguin Rep celebrates 40 plus seasons of incomparable productions of new works. Penguin has a gorgeous pastoral setting in the Hudson Valley only 50 minutes from Manhattan.”
As it launches its forty-fourth season, Penguin Rep Theatre, dubbed “the gutsiest little theatre” by The New York Times, continues to present a cultural experience that is unique in the region: professional productions of new plays at affordable prices.
Penguin Rep Theatre’s 2022 season is sponsored by Orange and Rockland Utilities. The season is also made possible by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Kathy Hochul and the New York State Legislature.
Penguin Rep is a proud recipient of a Shuttered Venue Operators Grant (SVOG) administered by the Small Business Administration.
Penguin Rep gratefully acknowledges the additional support of the Bernard & Anne Spitzer Charitable Trust, Cory & Bob Donnalley Charitable Foundation, County of Rockland, GMGPR, Jacques & Margot W. Kohn Foundation, Kathryn I. Matthews Charitable Fund, Rockland County Tourism, The Shubert Foundation, and Town of Stony Point.
Tickets can be purchased here https://tix5.centerstageticketing.com/sites/penguinrep6/events.php Use the code GMGPR at checkout to save $5.00.
