Founded in 1936 by a group of college students, the Antrim Players originally called Suffern, NY, home, where it put on its initial performances in the basement of a school. The playhouse, one of the oldest continuously operating community theaters in the United States, quickly grew in popularity while presenting both classic and contemporary productions that attracted local talent and audiences alike. Over the decades, it became known for fostering a close-knit community of artists, directors, and patrons.
In 1940, it moved to a more permanent home they named the Antrim Playhouse in Wesley Hills, NY. There, for the next eight decades, as the theater evolved, its reputation for high-quality productions and a vibrant arts scene grew. In March of 2022, a production of the musical Falsettos was Antrim’s finale in Wesley Hills. The decision to move from Suffern had come after years of discussions about modernization, accessibility, and the need for a larger, more versatile space.
The new location, daubed The New Antrim Playhouse at the Manse Barn in Tappan, New York, offers an updated, state-of-the-art facility that includes seating for 100 theatergoers with staggered floor seating that preserves sightlines, moveable seats which will allow Antrim to vary its productions, such as theater-in-the-round, and a warming kitchen for off-site caterers to use for possible dinner theater. All of this will allow the Antrim Players to continue its mission of providing affordable, high-quality theater while expanding its reach to a wider audience.
At the grand opening of the new facility in September of 2024, the New Antrim Playhouse presented the world premiere of Hang On, an original play written by and starring local playwright Rick Apicella.
Since then Antrim Playhouse’s new facility presented An Enchanted Tale: A Frozen Heart on January 11 & 12, 2025, and Steel Magnolias, February 7-23, 2025.
Billy Elliot The Musical
The presentation of Billy Elliot The Musical at the new Antrim Playhouse facility was announced by the Antrim Players in April of 2024. Auditions were held on multiple dates in December, 2024 and on January 6, 2025. The show will be directed and choreographed by Cal Chiang, who has over 35 years of experience directing and/or choreographing shows in New York and New Jersey.
The cast of BETM at Antrim Playhouse was announced on January 16, 2025 on the Antrim Playhouse Facebook page and rehearsals were well underway in February.
Here’s a short video clip of the Ensemble cast at an early rehearsal with Director/Choreographer Chiang of the “Solidarity Forever” number from the show.
A 24 member cast will be led by Jarrett Bruno in the title role.
To learn more about Jarrett Bruno, click on the Billy Profiles button (below) to be taken to his detailed profile.
To see a complete listing of the rest of the Antrim Playhouse cast, just click on the Cast Information button.
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