Located in New Hope, PA, Bucks County Playhouse is a year-round non-profit theater founded in 1939, in a converted 1790 gristmill on the banks of the Delaware River. After it opened, it quickly became the go-to venue for top-notch summer-stock productions, featuring such theatrical giants as Helen Hayes, George S. Kaufman, Moss Hart, Kitty Carlisle, Angela Lansbury, Alan Alda, Bernadette Peters, Tyne Daly, and Liza Minnelli. Today it maintains its reputation of attracting Broadway and Hollywood artists to work on the historic stage, where Grace Kelly, Robert Redford, and Jessica Walter began their careers.
This year, as pandemic restrictions are beginning to be lightened for the springtime return of live performances, Birdland’s award-winning impresario, host, and entertainer Jim Caruso has curated an all-star lineup of talents for BCP’s Broadway Spotlight Concert Series. Running May-June, it will showcase a variety of styles by acclaimed vocalists, award-winning singers, and Tony-nominated actors, from jazz and rock, to show tunes, tributes to musical icons, and standards from the Great American Songbook.
Caruso noted that, “Ninety minutes from New York City, the Bucks Country Playhouse has been home to actors, singers, dancers, writers, directors, designers, musicians, choreographers, and all manner of show folk since 1939. If that doesn’t scream the word ‘survivor,’ I’m not sure what does! After the year we’ve all been through, the mere fact that we have made it to the other side is something to crow about!”
Jim went on to share with me, “When I was asked to help curate a concert series for the theater, I knew we’d need a unique mix of performers who could entertain and delight, as well as lift spirits. Our lineup of Broadway and nightclub entertainers crosses many musical genres, and for that I’m grateful and excited. Every single concert is bound to bring a bit of joy and optimism into the hearts of the lucky audiences. What an exciting way to celebrate spring in the aptly-named New Hope!”
Launching next weekend, the star-studded schedule features:
Natalie Douglas, The First Time . . . The Music of Roberta Flack, Saturday, May 15, 8 pm, and Sunday, May 16, at 2 pm;
Karen Mason, Vaccinatin’ Rhythm, Thursday, May 20, 7:30 pm, and Friday, May 21, 8 pm;
Constantine Marouolis, Don’t Stop Believing, Saturday, May 22, 8 pm, and Sunday, May 23, 2 pm;
Sally Mayes, Thursday, May 27, 7:30 pm, and Friday, May 28, 8 pm;
Eddie Bruce, The Music and Magic of Tony Bennett, Saturday, May 29, 8 pm, and Sunday, May 30, 2 pm;
Melissa Errico, Thursday, June 3, 7:30 pm, and Friday, June 4, 8 pm;
Andrew Polec, Saturday, June 5, 8 pm, and Sunday, June 6, 2 pm;
Christy Altomare, Thursday, June 10, 7:30 pm, and Friday, June 11, 8 pm;
Billy Stritch, Billy’s Place, Saturday, June 12, 8 pm, and Sunday, June 13, 2 pm.
So if you’re longing for a day trip or an overnight getaway, you can enjoy the beauty of nature, an historic landmark building, and a world-class concert by a Broadway star all in one jaunt to Bucks County Playhouse. By my tally, that’s a win, win, win!
The Broadway Spotlight Concert Series plays May-June, 2021, at Bucks County Playhouse, 70 S. Main Street, New Hope, PA. For tickets, priced at $40, call (215) 862-2121, or go online. Be advised that due to social distancing, quantities are limited. Also please note that to protect everyone working backstage and front-of-house, and to ensure the safety of performers and audiences, BCP has developed rigorous COVID-19 protocols, including virus testing, mask requirements for all those inside the Playhouse, frequent cleaning, Merv 15-rated HVAC filters, and restricted access backstage.
