It’s not every day that three talented young directors emerge on the Hudson Valley theatre scene with all the creativity, care, and resiliency necessary to mount live stage plays during these unprecedented times. And yet, that is exactly what Rena Gavigan, Dan Chester, and Lisa Delia are doing with Rhinebeck Theatre Society. Each will take a turn presenting a fully-staged play at the Morton Memorial Library in Rhinecliff, NY this February.
The mix of plays is as eclectic as the directors themselves, and promises something for everyone. Each play is cast with experienced area actors whom audiences will recognize from past shows throughout the region.
Rena Gavigan, a graduate of Circle in the Square Theatre School’s Musical Theatre Conservatory, has chosen Anna Ziegler’s Boy. This compelling piece, spanning the years 1968-1990, is based on the true story of a family who decide to raise their son as a girl after a terrible accident. Boy runs Thursday, February 3 (7pm), Saturday, February 5 (7pm), and Sunday, February 6 (3pm). There will also be a special performance at the Dutchess County Pride Center in Hopewell Junction on Friday, February 4 (7pm).
In week two, Dan Chester, a Hudson Valley based artist, musician, and filmmaker, directs the farcical Books by Stuart Kaminsky. Here, an ordinary day in a bookstore turns not-so-ordinary when a would-be bank robber makes the place his hide-out. Books runs Thursday, February 10 (7pm), Saturday, February 12 (7pm), and Sunday, February 13 (3pm).
The series concludes with She Kills Monsters, written by Qui Nguyen and directed by Lisa Delia, a graduate of Hofstra University. This unconventional piece makes use of an immersive Dungeons and Dragons module to help a woman find closure after her younger sister’s tragic death. She Kills Monsters runs Thursday, February 17 (7pm), Saturday, February 19 (7pm), and Sunday, February 20 (3pm).
“The remarkable thing about this series,” says producer Dot Luongo, “is how each of our directors has chosen a piece which so clearly matches their individual strengths. It is definitely daring to present three different plays in just three weekends, but the energy, talent and enthusiasm of these directors has truly driven the project from the beginning. We are so excited for them to share their work.”
Individual tickets run $15 each, or a group ticket for all three shows can be purchased for just $30. Audience members must be fully vaccinated and remain masked for the entire performance. The Morton Memorial Library is located at 82 Kelly Street in Rhinecliff, NY. More information can be found at www.rhinebecktheatresociety.org.