ALBANY – The sounds of Broadway play through Washington Park, as people dance on stage, it can only mean one thing, Park Playhouse is gearing up for another season of free theatre. The 24th season kicked off with the Kander and Ebb classic, Cabaret on July 6 running Tuesday through Sunday at 8 p.m. through July 29.
“Cabaret is an important and exciting play. It’s something different for us,” says Owen Smith, Park Playhouse’s Producing Artistic Director. Smith is bringing something new to the table this summer, creating a more interactive performance.
Cabaret will feature 60 exclusive seats at tables around a catwalk built into the stage design. Patrons at these seats will be treated to bar service by the cast for one half hour prior to the show and during intermission.
Cabaret stars Shannon Rafferty as Sally Bowles and Jason Jacoby as the Master of Ceremonies. Rafferty is an Averill Park native and the first equity actor to perform in a park show since 2003. Jacoby returns to the Playhouse stage after starring as Leo Bloom in last year’s production of The Producers.
“Since taking the helm in 2010, Owen [Smith] has not only revived the park – he’s brought it to new heights in just three years”, says PR Manager, Will Gallagher. “He brought the Park standards back to a professional level that had somewhat drifted away. Last year he maintained that level while bringing Park Playhouse Kids to the summer stage, giving grade school kids the opportunity to perform at the lake house. This year he’ll go for the trifecta –two feature shows and Park kids”.
Smith himself is thrilled for the new venture stating, “We are extremely excited to be producing two different evening features for the first time since 1990.” After Cabaret closes on July 29 the walls will be torn down and the world of Hairspray will arrive in the park.
The 2003 Tony winner about a big girl with even bigger dreams will be performed on the park stage August 4 through the 19. Hairspray marks the first time Park Playhouse 2 will combine a slew of professional adult actors with local teens.
“We’re pulling out all the stops this season. We pride ourselves on not only top-notch productions, but our work in the world of theatre education as well,” says Smith. The Park 2 and Park Kids programs have grown throughout the years, providing the best in theatre education and experience to capital region kids and teenagers alike.
Park Playhouse Kids will return for its second year performing Joseph and The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, August 13 through 19 at 5:30 p.m., prior to Hairspray.
“With three productions on the horizon, Capital Region residence have more reasons than ever to make repeat visits to the Park”, says Gallagher. Who adds “Whether you’re sitting in the free seats of the amphitheater or enjoying a preferred seat close to the stage, with a night at the Park, you’re always in for a real treat.”
