2024 Local Auditions Have Arrived
March 20, 2024THE MAC-HAYDN HEADS HOME TO AUDITION
Local submissions for the 2024 season at the Mac-Haydn are now open!.
2024 Audition Submissions Close
February 13, 2024MAC-HAYDN SUBMISSIONS THROUGH THE ROOF
Audition submissions for the 2024 season at the Mac-Haydn are now closed. We are delighted to report that almost 900 actors submitted their materials. Needless to say, the casting team has a busy few weeks ahead of our callbacks in New York City.
Thanks to all those who took the time to submit. We are looking forward to seeing you in action.
Local to the Chatham area and looking to audition? We’ll be sharing details about Local Auditions very soon, so follow us on social media to hear updates!
2024 Audition Submissions Are Live
February 5, 2024MAC-HAYDN OPENS ACTOR SUBMISSIONS
Audition submissions for the 2024 season at the Mac-Haydn are now live! The deadline to submit is Monday, February 12th at 9pm.
After video submissions, New York City callbacks will be March 6th (Dance) and March 12th – 14th (Principal Callbacks).
Local to the Chatham area and looking to audition? We’ll be sharing details about Local Auditions very soon, so stay tuned!
2024 Season Announcement
December 31, 2023MAC-HAYDN SEASON ANNOUNCEMENT EXCLUSIVELY ON INSTAGRAM
Surprise! It’s time for our 2024 Season Announcement. Our announcement of the first 5 shows of the 2024 Season will be posted EXCLUSIVELY to Instagram Monday, January 1st starting at 10am.
SINGLE TICKETS GO ON SALE AS SOON AS THE SHOW IS ANNOUNCED
Please note that 7-SHOW will go on sale when MAINSTAGE SHOW 6 and the LIMITED PERFORMANCE schedule is finalized. 4-SHOW SUBSCRIPTIONS are now available. STAY TUNED FOR UPDATES
We wanted to have a little fun with the annoucnement this year, so we hope you will join us throughout the day for a guessing game! Here’s how it works.
Each show will be announced in a series of three tiles on Instagram. We will post one tile every 20 minutes beginning at 10am.
The first person to guess the full title of each show correctly in the comments will win a pair of tickets to that show! We will tag you in an IG story post if you’ve won. (Please note, the game is limited to one win per account!)
Got it? Head to our Instagram profile (@machaydntheatre), follow us, and turn post notifications on so you don’t miss a beat! Good Luck!
If you’re not already following us on Instagram (@machaydntheatre), now is the time. Set alerts for our posts by clicking the 🔔 (bell icon) in the top right corner of our Instagram profile – to be sure you don’t miss a single part of the announcement!
Stay tuned throughout the day on Instagram for a first look at our hit lineup for 2024!
Don’t have Instagram? No worries. We’ll fill you in with the full season announcement Tuesday morning on Facebook, via Email, and here on our website!
Shows Will Appear Below As They Are Announced!
Click Here For The 2024 Season Page
West Side Story – June 13 – June 23
Sister Act – June 27 – July 14
Something Rotten – August 15 – September 1
2023 Berkshire Theatre Award Nominations
October 19, 2023We’re Nominated for 11 “Berkies!”
This week, The Berkshire Theatre Critics Association announced the nominees for the 7th Berkshire Theatre Awards, known colloquially as “The Berkies”.
Nominations for the Mac-Haydn are as follows:
Outstanding Choreography
Mandy Modic, 42nd Street, Mac-Haydn Theatre
Outstanding Direction of a Musical
John Saunders, 42nd Street, Mac-Haydn Theatre
John Saunders, The Sound of Music, Mac-Haydn Theatre
Outstanding Lighting Design of a Play or Musical
Andrew Gmoser, The Sound of Music, Mac-Haydn Theatre
Outstanding Costume Design of a Play or Musical
Bethany Marx, 42nd Street, Mac-Haydn Theatre
Outstanding Lead Actress in a Musical
Alexandra Haines, The Sound of Music, Mac-Haydn Theatre
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Musical
Madison Stratton, 42nd Street, Mac-Haydn Theatre
Amber Mawande-Spytek, Godspell, Mac Haydn Theatre
Outstanding Lead Actor in a Musical
Andrew Maguire, Jersey Boys, Mac-Haydn Theatre
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Musical
Gabe Belyeu, 42nd Street, Mac-Haydn Theatre
Outstanding Production of a Musical
The Sound of Music, Mac-Haydn Theatre
The purpose of the BTCA and the Berkshire Theatre Awards is to promote and celebrate the quality and diversity of theatre in the region. The winners will be announced at the awards ceremony on the evening of November 13 at Zion Lutheran Church in Pittsfield.
A Message from John Saunders
October 1, 2023John Saunders Reflects on 2023 Season, Encourages Year-End Support
Dear Supporters,
It’s so hard to believe the summer has already come to a close—time sure did fly by this season. As I reflect on the overwhelming attendance and success the Mac saw this season, I am reminded of how grateful I am to each and every artist, staff member, volunteer, and loyal audience member that keeps this magical place running year in and year out. This summer was truly a triumphant one as we welcomed back such large crowds to so many hit shows.
We did have a stumble at the end thanks to that bug that just won’t quit. However, we did manage to sustain our special programming and our highly successful education program which really gives us a great sense of accomplishment and a wonderful sense of closure to the summer. I am so sorry we had to cancel the remaining Wonderettes performances but I can assure you that I will make it up to you next season!
Work is well underway and it looks like another terrific lineup of shows is heading your way for 2024. Planning the upcoming season is a huge undertaking each year and without your support to carry us through the off season, it would be simply impossible. Along with the season planning also comes the constant maintenance and improvement of the theater and our housing.
Your donations to the annual fund mean so much to the young artists who arrive each year to dazzle us all summer. They also mean the world to the staff who are able to ensure the best of the best in all departments each summer. The Mac-Haydn continues to deliver such high caliber theater each year and it is all thanks to you, our audience, who continues to support us and enjoy the offerings all season.
On a personal note, it has been such an honor and a pleasure serving as the artistic director here, and as always, I promise to deliver another hit season for 2024. Thank you for your support, loyalty, and trust year in and year out. It means the world to me.
Have a beautiful fall and holiday season and we will see each other before you know it!
My best always,
John Saunders
Artistic Director
“The Marvelous Wonderettes” “sparkles and shines!”
September 10, 2023Lisa Jarish says “The Marvelous Wonderettes” “sparkles and shines” in her review for Berkshire On Stage
“Each performer creates a strong, vivid and unique character in their own right, and tells her character’s story through the more than two dozen songs that flow virtually non-stop through the production. Their harmonies are as full as their crinoline skirts”
“Trivers delivers big-time with a trifecta of plaintive and heartfelt vocals…A most worthy debut on the Mac’s stage indeed.”
“Delivering her story through a stunning three-song Prestage reveals her character’s journey through love, heartache, and heartbreak, delivering “Son of a Preacher Man,” and“ Maybe,” with ever-increasing anguish, until finally “Leader of the Pack” shatters her heart and the hearts of her quartet-mates listening to this heart-wrenching, soul-baring vocal confession.”
“Rachel Pantazis…has left an indelible mark on this season with her glorious, powerful soprano voice and her in-depth characterizations”
“(Pantazis’) joy shines through with her performance”
“And then there’s Cydney Gleckner. What a joy she has been at the Mac this summer. She has brought her considerable vocal chops to every production she has graced this season, and as Suzy…she turns in yet another strong signature performance.”
“Gleckner brings down the house as Suzy first pours out her anguish with her marriage with “Maybe I know” and “Rescue Me”, before segueing into demanding “Respect” in a powerful rendition that rivals Aretha Franklin at her best.”
“Ashley DeLane Burger has hit it out of the park with her solid, tight direction and inspired choreography.”
“Annie Watson’s costume design perfectly captures the full flavor of 1950s and the 1960s…Their work is accented and completed by the hair and wig design of Emily Allen, who “Marvelously” coifs the Wonderettes for their prom and reunion appearances.”
“Andrew Gmoser’s lighting, as always, sparkles and shines in all the right places, and takes a dark and almost sinister turn when called for.”
(Saunders and Colarusso) have created a most effective and evocative set for the show.”
“The Marvelous Wonderettes leaves us applauding, smiling, humming, and with warm fuzzy memories of days gone by to hold onto until the 2024 season arrives.”
Go To The Marvelous Wonderettes Page
Move Over Jersey Boys, The Wonderettes Are Here!
September 4, 2023MAC-HAYDN SEASON CLOSES OUT WITH 50S/60S HIT ‘THE MARVELOUS WONDERETTES’
(August 31, 2023–Chatham, NY) The Mac-Haydn Theatre’s 2023 season concludes with 50s and 60s jukebox musical, “The Marvelous Wonderettes,” running September 7-17.
Created by Roger Bean, “The Marvelous Wonderettes” is a jukebox blast from the past. It’s the night of the 1958 Springfield High School prom, and the night’s entertainment consists of four best friends; Betty Jean, Cindy Lou, Missy, and Suzy. As they navigate life, love and the Prom Queen competition, the girls serenade with the classics from the decade. Ten years later, the girl group reunites stronger than ever, learning that the power of friendship will always keep them together—bonded forever in four-part harmony.
Ashley DeLane Burger makes her directorial debut with the production, following her work on the 2023 sell-out production of “Jersey Boys” as choreographer, and last season’s “A Chorus Line” (Associate Choreographer) and “Forever Plaid” (Choreographer, 2022 BroadwayWorld Award). She is joined by Music Director Eric Shorey and Assistant Choreographer Bella DePaola.
The production will feature lighting design by Andrew Gmoser, costume design by Annie Watson, sound design by Sean McGinley, hair and makeup design by Emily Allen, and props design by Adriana Ayala.
Starring as the four Wonderettes are Stephanie Prestage as Cindy Lou, Rachel Pantazis as Missy, Cydney Gleckner as Suzy, and, making her Mac-Haydn Debut, Adeline Trivers as Betty Jean.
Audiences will hear favorite 50s and 60s hits; featuring over 30 throwback hits like “Mr. Sandman,” “Lollipop,” “Stupid Cupid,” “Lipstick on Your Collar,” “Respect” and “It’s In His Kiss (The Shoop Shoop Song),” “The Marvelous Wonderettes” is guaranteed to have audiences humming along in their seats.
For tickets and information, please visit www.machaydntheatre.org or call the box office at (518) 392-9292.
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About the Mac-Haydn Theatre
Founded in 1969, the Mac-Haydn Theatre strives to present innovative, diverse and professional musical theatre productions to the residents of Columbia County and beyond. We aim to cultivate young talent for careers in theatre and seek to provide a supportive environment for the creation of new musical theatre works.
Jersey Boys a “fascinating” production
August 19, 2023J. Peter Bergman calls “Jersey Boys” “a fine, fine production on every level” in his review for Berkshire Bright Focus
“Maguire is an excellent Valli. He is a joy to watch and to listen to.”
“Kelley does splendidly in this role, even managing to touch my heart with his sincerity and his singing.”
“Watching the group grow in their varied and difficult directions is fascinating theatre.”
“Gabe Belyeu plays lyricist/producer Bob Crewe beautifully. Kevin Weldon makes a sinister, sentimental Gyp DeCarlo totally believable.”
“This production is fascinating to watch. Director John Saunders has given the show drive and energy and still made each character stand out as an individual. He and choreographer Ashley DeLane Burger have brought us the movement and coordination of pop music of the period with a true sense of recognition.”
“Both the play and the musical numbers look great on the Mac-Haydn stage thanks to scenic designer Alivia Cross whose work transforms spaces thanks to the superb lighting by Andrew Gmoser. Emily Allen’s hair and wig design highlights the period of the show as well as do the costumes designed by Claire Mezzetta. This is a fine, fine production on every level.”
Lisa Jarish says “Jersey Boys” “explodes with perfection” in her review for Berkshire On Stage
“In Jersey Boys, Saunders has created another of his signature directorial triumphs, with a full-blooded, full-scale humdinger of a show, a good old-fashioned jukebox musical perfectly“seasoned” with incredible vocals and riveting performances, made all the more impressive and impactful because it is not “too good to be true” but actually true.”
“The Mac has assembled a veritable holy grail of performers to enact the title roles, and I have to confess I may have spent a good portion of the performance with my mouth gaping open, slack-jawed, in absolute awe of the perfection of sound coming from the golden throats of Conor Fallon, Andrew Burton Kelley, John Hannigan, Andrew Maguire.”
“The non-vocal performances of Fallon, Kelley, and Hannigan, each narrating their part of the story, are incomparable. Each embraces and truly personifies the character they represent, bringing a depth and veracity and sincerity to their roles that is essential to a fully-realized production.”
“without a doubt Andrew Maguire steals the show… in his Mac-Haydn debut, no less. As Frankie Valli, Maguire is nothing short of phenomenal, with a voice born to the role, hitting those iconic high falsetto notes with absolute purity and assurance.”
“Belyeu can always be counted to embrace whatever role he undertakes. His performances are unfailingly filled with the sheer joy of being given the opportunity to perform, to portray a character and make it his own.”
“Jacob Atkins plays Joey…AKA Joe Pesci …with an endearing hyperactive enthusiasm perfect for the character, and Kevin Weldon turns in a marvelous but all-too-brief appearance as New Jersey mob boss Gyp DeCarlo”
“Rachel Pantazis creates powerful moments in her scenes with Maguire’s Valli.”
“Kudos to choreographer Ashley DeLane Burger for her success in choreographing and coordinating the perfectly synchronized movements of legs and hands that came to be associated with the Four Seasons.”
Bill Kellert praises cast AND creatives of “Jersey Boys” in his review for Nippertown
“Mac-Haydn’s Producing Artistic Director, John Saunders, once again takes the directorial reins to steer this mammoth production.”
“Saunders does an admirable job not only directing the show but also assembling a strong technical crew as well as a talented cast of Mac-Haydn vets and newbies to help achieve his goals.”
“Choreographer Ashley DeLane Burger does a wonderful job recreating the feeling of the 1960s.”
“With its many moving pieces, Alvia Cross’s set design creates thirty-some scenes in the first act alone. Andrew Gmoser’s lighting and Sean McGinley’s sound design put you in the vibe of the time. Emily Allen’s hair design and wigs and Claire Mezzetta’s costumes round out the rock and roll era and sweep the audience back in the time continuum.”
“Shorey knows how to get the most wonderful harmonies out of the foursome as well as create beautiful numbers from the full cast. Shorey has proven to be Mac-Haydn’s strongest creative asset, from leading the band to musically directing the cast.”
“Gaudio, who never really wanted to be in the spotlight, rather preferring the background writing music, is masterfully handled by Andrew Burton Kelly. Kelly has a wonderful ability to internalize his emotions in his acting and bring it all to the surface in his vocal performance.”
“Perhaps, as it should be, the night belonged to Mac newcomer Andrew Maguire as Frankie Valli. Maguire has a voice and range that match the real Valli, note for note. His crystal-clear tenor and icy steel falsetto brought down the house song after song, most notably with the heart-wrenching rendition of “Fallen Angel.””
“It should be noted that most of the cast doubles or triples roles throughout the production with ease and finesse.”
Jeffrey Borak calls “Jersey Boys” “Breathtaking” in his review for The Berkshire Eagle
“Director John Saunders’ production of the jukebox musical “Jersey Boys” at the Mac-Haydn Theatre opens in breathtaking fashion and never lets go for an instant.”
“Beyond the smooth, confident sweep of Saunders’ production, the show’s recreation of The Four Seasons sound is at once astonishing, evocative, singular.”
“Close your eyes as the show’s Frankie Valli, Andrew Maguire, sings and you could easily believe Valli himself has taken over. Maguire’s performance overall is full and rich — an affecting portrait of a young man whose coming of age over time is roughly gained.”
“The performances throughout are strong and convincing.”
“Andrew Burton Kelley is pitch-perfect as Bob Gaudio, whose talent as a songwriter and personal sense of reason and clarity is the perfect counterpoint to Tommy’s lesser impulses.”
“Gabe Belyeu is delightful as Bob Crewe, the Four Seasons’ manager, producer and lyricist. There are equally convincing turns by Kevin Weldon as Gyp DeCarlo, a mobster who takes a liking to Frankie; Bella DePaola as Lorraine, Frankie’s second wife; and Rachel Pantazis as Frankie’s alcoholic first wife, Mary Delgado.”
“Buoyed by music director Eric Shorey’s support, and the bold, imaginative sweep of Saunders’ vision, this youthful, appealing, talented ensemble more than delivers the goods.”
The Music of Stephen Sondheim Returns to the Mac-Haydn
August 17, 2023MAC-HAYDN TO TRIBUTE STEPHEN SONDHEIM IN REVUE LATER THIS MONTH
A tribute to the late composer Stephen Sondheim will be presented at the Mac-Haydn Theatre August 23 and 25.
Widely regarded as one of the most influential composers in Broadway history, Stephen Sondheim redefined the parameters of musical theatre throughout his 50-year career. For two performances only, a cast of six Mac-Haydn favorites will celebrate the award-winning, culture-shifting work of the legendary composer and lyricist.
The revue features Gabe Belyeu and Madison Stratton, last seen in “42nd Street” this season, Julie Galorenzo (Xanadu, Ragtime), Monica M. Wemitt (Hello Dolly, The Full Monty), James Benjamin Rodgers (Les Miserables, Exiled), and John Saunders (Hairspray, Carousel). Jillian Zack Music Directs and accompanies the cast on piano. The Limited Performance is directed by John Saunders, with Eric Shorey as Music Coordinator.
“Sondheim Tribute Revue” is the second of four cabaret-style productions in the 2023 Mac-Haydn’s Limited Performance Series. Following the two performances are: “Showstoppers” on September 2, and “Still Within The Sound Of My Voice: The Songs of Linda Ronstadt,” featuring Elizabeth Ward Land, on September 13.
For tickets and information, please visit www.machaydntheatre.org or call the box office at (518) 392-9292.
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About the Mac-Haydn Theatre
Founded in 1969, the Mac-Haydn Theatre strives to present innovative, diverse and professional musical theatre productions to the residents of Columbia County and beyond. We aim to cultivate young talent for careers in theatre and seek to provide a supportive environment for the creation of new musical theatre works.