Woodstock Playhouse

11/21/2025

We are delighted to welcome back Daniel Brenner (Woodstock Playhouse Alum 2025; Andrew Carne's and Judge Aristide Forrestier) to play the role of the villainous Uncle Barnaby in the December 12 - 14 production of Babes in Toyland The Musical Book by Rebecca Ryland Music and lyrics by Bill Francoeur!

Daniel Brenner is absolutely stoked to be returning to the Woodstock team after his performances in the 2025 Summer Theatre Festival at Woodstock Playhouse. A Hudson Valley native, he recently completed his B.M. in Vocal Performance at the University of Delaware. For two summers, he had the privilege of studying theatre in Germany where he further honed his acting chops. He appeared in Godspell (John the Baptist/Judas) with the Rhinebeck Theatre Society. He's a huge fan of spicy pickles, being outside, seeing live music, and pretty much anything that gets his adrenaline going. Special thanks to his parents for being his #1 fans, and to the rest of his family and friends who always go above and beyond to support him.

11/18/2025

Come join us on December 12, 13 & 14 to experience the holiday musical BABES IN TOYLAND by Rebecca Ryland & Bill Francoeur.

From the opening carnival celebration in Mother Goose Land to the triumphant March of the Wooden Soldiers, the adventure of 'Babes in Toyland' is a treat for the entire family starring Woodstock Playhouse Productions' Professional Cast alongside the rising youth performing arts talent of our own New York Conservatory for the Arts.

Come celebrate family, community, togetherness, rising professional performers, the magic of theatre and the joy of the holidays at the iconic Woodstock Playhouse in one delightful Nursery-Rhyme-Character-Filled Melodramatic Pantomime. See you there!

Visit the link in our bio for tickets and more details.

'Babes in Toyland' is presented through a special arrangement with Pioneer Drama Service of Englewood, CO.

11/18/2025

The Gallery at the Woodstock Playhouse is honored to invite you to ‘Mary Elwyn: A Solo Exhibition of Oil Paintings’ opening November 22 2025 and showing through March of 2026.

Mary Elwyn is the cousin of Robert Elwyn who was responsible for building the Woodstock Playhouse on its site in 1938. They are both members of one of Woodstock’s oldest & most positively influential families.

Born and raised in the Woodstock art colony, Mary Elwyn’s desire to become an artist began in early childhood when she was coached by her father Grant Elwyn, a commercial artist.

Some of her young friends were children of artists and she has fond memories of watching their parents as they worked at their easels. She was also inspired by local artists who demonstrated their techniques to the children attending Woodstock Elementary School through the “artists in the schools” program.

Having studied with many Woodstock painters including Ethel Magafan, Franklin Alexander, John Pike, Robert Angeloch, Lois Woolley and Zhang Hong Nian, her paintings often focus on those special Woodstock places she has known and loved all of her life i.e. Tannery Brook, Overlook Mountain, the Millstream and the Sawkill.

She works exclusively in oil with a concentration on still life and Hudson Valley landscapes.

Mary Elwyn’s paintings are an illumination of Woodstock’s Art & Nature – in essence, art for the collector who has a desire to invite the spirit of Woodstock – the longstanding community and town – into their homes and lives; an investment in honor, devotion, a treasured artist, a family playhouse and an age of unconditional renewal.

Additionally, Mary Elwyn was introduced to metalsmithing in the 1970's and went on to create a jewelry & tableware business selling her designs, which won numerous national awards, to more than three hundred craft galleries in the United States, Canada and Japan.

She is pleased to be included in this special Art Exhibit to benefit the Woodstock Playhouse Landscape Fund for the beautification and enjoyment of the community and artists.

View and purchase the oil paintings of Mary Elwyn when attending a performance or during a private showing.

11/15/2025

We are delighted to welcome back Merrill Cameron (Woodstock Playhouse Alum 2025 as Aunt Eller & La Mome Pistache) to play the role of Mother Goose/Widow Piper in the December 12 - 14 production of Babes in Toyland!

Merrill Cameron is delighted to return to Woodstock Playhouse after having spent her summer performing in their 2025 Summer Theatre Festival Season! Merrill attended the University of Vermont, where she studied voice with Sarah Cullins, and has been part of the Vermont theatre scene ever since. Favorite recent credits include Miss Honey in Matilda (Lyric Theatre Company), La Môme Pistache in Can-Can (Woodstock Playhouse), and Rootie Mallert in Graceland (Vermont Repertory Theatre) . Merrill is also the manager at Lines VT Dance Studio + Store.

11/10/2025

11/08/2025

Join us for the opening concert of the Woodstock Symphony Orchestra's 2025/2026 Season: 'Resonant Beginnings' on Saturday, November 22, 2025 at 7:30 pm. The concert led by WSO Artistic Director Mina Kim will include Les Préludes, Symphonic Poem No. 3 by Franz Liszt, Trumpet Concerto in E Flat Major by Johann Nepomuk Hummel Featuring Soloist Bill Owens, and Symphony No. 2 in D Major, op. 43 by Jean Sibelius. Visit the link in our bio for more information and tickets; woodstockplayhouse.org

10/28/2025

The Woodstock Playhouse relays its heartfelt condolences to Lydia and family, friends and industry associates upon the passing of Jack DeJohnette, beloved Woodstock resident, Jazz's Great Drummer and Jazz Master well known for his work with Miles Davis and Keith Jarrett. It was an honor to host Jack DeJohnette in performance at the Woodstock Playhouse from 2022 to 2024 with guests Dave Holland, Jason Moran, Savion Glover, Estelle Parsons and David Strathairn, and to experience the rarest of all...his solo piano concert, all in conjunction with Chris Silva and Stephen LaMarca of Bardavon Presents. We will miss the honor of being in the presence of Jack DeJohnette; the rare and true spirit of this earth whose rhythm of life and love, music and creation shall never cease; forever to resonate, be played and channeled in the great tapestry of music around this globe and now, across the universe.
With Sincerity, Respect and Awe,
Diane Stein, President
Randy Conti, Executive Artistic Director
Douglas Farrell, Company Manager
along with the entire Board of the Woodstock Playhouse

10/20/2025

repost in celebration: What an unforgettable week! Thank you to every filmmaker, guest, volunteer, sponsor, and film lover who made the 26th Annual Woodstock Film Festival such a remarkable celebration of storytelling and creativity.

Your passion and energy brought the Hudson Valley to life and reminded us why this community is so special. We're already looking forward to next year!

Until then, keep the spirit of independent film alive. See you soon! ✨

10/17/2025

Take a moment to read this beautiful article in The Overlook artfully written by Tad Wise.

Why did the world fall in love with Diane Keaton? Tens of millions have their theories. But to trace the origins of that charm—where it began, how it bloomed—we go back to the summer of 1967, when a young woman named Diane Hall arrived in Woodstock, New York.  That summer, theater owner Edgar R...

10/15/2025

Congratulations to three of our local artists on recent sales at the Woodstock Playhouse gallery. Flower Fields in Hurley, watercolor by Mira Fink. Peonies at Locust Grove, pastel by Judy I. Howard. Little Deep, pastel by Janette Giuliano Kahil. Vibrant local scenes off to new homes. We thank all who support the Artists and the Playhouse. Proceeds are used to develop the grounds for the community.
Stop by this week during the Film Festival and see more wonderful pieces by local artists in the current exhibit “Welcome to Woodstock “. - Diane Jones Godfrey, Curator of the Gallery at the Woodstock Playhouse

10/12/2025

The Woodstock Playhouse relays its condolences to the family, friends and industry associates upon the passing of the extraordinary Ms. Diane Keaton today. With humility and honor, we are grateful to be the theatrical home of the stage where on Ms. Keaton began her professional career; thanks to the Woodstock Playhouse directors of the 1960s, Mr. Harold Baldridge and M. Edgar Rosenblum. Her performance in the 1967 season as Cecily in 'The Importance of Being Earnest' - pictured here thanks to the archives of Cornelia Rosenblum; pictured with Alex Osina and Jane Lloyd Jones - as well as in 'Kiss Me Kate' - the archival program of which is shown here still listing her as Diane Hall before her Equity name change -, 'Oh, What a Lovely War' and more. With the Woodstock Playhouse serving as her 'Stepping-Stone to Broadway ', Ms. Keaton landed on Broadway the following year in the original cast of 'Hair'...and the rest is American Theatre and Film History. Her renowned career on stage and in film gave us all a reason to celebrate in awe of her award winning performances. We will miss her presence among us in this world, but will always celebrate Ms. Keaton's light and legacy, as well as the history of her beginnings at the iconic Woodstock Playhouse.
With Sincerity and Respect,
Diane Stein, President
Randy Conti, Executive Artistic Director
Douglas Farrell, Company Manager
along with the entire Board of the Woodstock Playhouse

10/08/2025

Tickets are now available for the opening concert of the Woodstock Symphony Orchestra's 2025/2026 Season: 'Resonant Beginnings' on Saturday, November 22, 2025 at 7:30 pm. The concert led by WSO Artistic Director Mina Kim will include Les Préludes, Symphonic Poem No. 3 by Franz Liszt, Trumpet Concerto in E Flat Major by Johann Nepomuk Hummel Featuring Soloist Bill Owens, and Symphony No. 2 in D Major, op. 43 by Jean Sibelius. Visit the link in our bio for more information and tickets. woodstockplayhouse.org