Our Biggest Season Ever

We are so exited to announce that tickets are now on sale for our 2022 season. Secure your single tickets or purchase a subscription online today.

Additionally, we are elated to share the lineup of the four shows in our 2022 Limited Performances Series. Our ever-popular Showstoppers revue returns, and the toUch Ensemble brings a new twist to last season’s Major Arcana with The Next Draw.

Mac-Haydn favorites Gabe Belyeu and Meredith Lustig take the stage for their solo concert debuts on our stage. Gabe’s A Call To Places will bring to life the stories of his many travels, while Meredith’s To Sondheim, With Love, reflects on the extensive letters the late composer wrote throughout his life.

Tickets are $45 each and can be purchased at www.machaydntheatre.org. Subscription packages are also on sale through the theatre’s website, and by calling 518-392-9292. In 2022 the Mac-Haydn will offer 4 Show, 7 Show and “Absolutely Everything” subscriptions. Group rates are also available for parties of 12 or more.

The Mac-Haydn returns to the full 7-show main stage schedule the theatre has traditionally operated under, after a condensed season in summer 2021 following the theatre’s closure due to the pandemic. After their successful introductions last season, the 2022 schedule will again adopt the “Summer in September” extension of performances, as well as the Limited Performances series featuring guest artists. The season will run through until October 2.

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A Message from John Saunders

Writing this annual greeting to you, I find myself so completely struck with gratitude for the home the Mac-Haydn Theatre has given so many artists for more than 50 years. And welcoming these thousands of artists has been YOU—loyal, supportive, and above all, determined to keep the magic alive year after year. I’m also incredibly grateful to be able to report that we made it through what seemed like an insurmountable crisis with the success of the 2021 season. So, first, a big thank you for making the impossible possible once again.

Together we have faced the many challenges of the last two years and have landed squarely on our feet to be able to plan for the 2022 season. From our Covid-19 protocols to our reconfigured stage, we had many new obstacles to overcome and we did just that. We had zero cases of Covid-19—our hard work and planning paid off. And here I will add yet another THANK YOU for your flexibility and cooperation as we navigated a summer we will never forget. We may not have had the usual crowds, but the theatre was alive and thriving and it was amazing to see everyone again. We also managed to successfully present even more exciting shows with our special events and Summer in September series which I am so happy to report will be coming back in 2022!

We have so many exciting things on the horizon and we cannot wait to share another season of exceptional music theatre together—especially from our new seats! That’s right, the floors are painted and the new chairs are being installed. We are working especially hard through the winter to make this happen and we just can’t wait to see you sitting in them next summer!

Now comes that time of year when we ask for your support once again for our Annual Fund. As many of you know, this end of the year push is what propels us through the spring and gets us to Opening Day. As things return to sort-of-normal, we now have to plan for the ever rising costs of almost everything, from lumber to printer ink. It is my mission to always keep Mac-Haydn financially accessible to everyone and without your help every year, this would not be possible.

A very happy patron stopped by the office last summer and said, “Wow! The Mac didn’t just come out of the pandemic, the Mac exploded out of the pandemic!” It meant the world to the entire staff to hear these remarks all summer long and it truly kept us going day in and day out. It has also inspired us to work even harder this winter to make 2022 the most spectacular season yet! Please have a safe and wonderful holiday season and we can’t wait to welcome you home for the summer again next year!

My Best Always,

John Saunders, Artistic Director

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Pleasant Valley Productions in collaboration with the Mac-Haydn Theatre are proud to present a developmental production of David Maglione’s newest musical work, The Most Incredible Thing on May 22 at 1pm and 4pm at the OSPAC in West Orange, New Jersey.

Tickets are free of charge. Donations to offset the cost of this production are greatly appreciated and can be made at any time during your visit at the theater. Parking is available across the street from the main gate. The gates open 45 minutes prior to showtime.

The piece is based on the Hans Christian Anderson short story of the same name. While the show is based on a work in the public domain, Maglione has set the adaptation in his original “Kingdom of Merideh,” a universe that serves as the setting for many of his children’s theater stories, including “Martin and Meelo,” last seen as part of the Mac-Haydn’s 2019 Children’s Theatre season. The Most Incredible Thing marks the second of what has been conceived as a five-part series.

Mac-Haydn Producing Artistic Director John Saunders directs and is joined by Mac-Haydn musical director Bruce De La Cruz (2019’s “Curtains”) and choreographer Amy Calzone.

The cast features Mac-Haydn alumni Kelly Gabrielle Murphy (Mamma Mia! and Sweeney Todd), Julie Galorenzo (Ragtime), Angel Harrison (2019 company), and Joe Christianson (2019 band). Rounding out the cast are David Rolando, Chris Frazier, Joseph Gottfried, Michael Gioia, Tyler Pearson, Susan Ramirez, Lawrence Dandridge, Lyle Dungee, Joelle Zazz, Danielle Pennisi, and Marcus McPherson.

Bruce De La Cruz, who is also responsible for original orchestrations, will be accompanied by a string trio: Violin played by Tristan Aniceto, Mac-Haydn alumna Lydia Paulos on Cello, and Magda Kress Double Bass.

The show will feature an original clock design by Andrew Gmoser, sound design by Brad Zuckerman, and costuming by Emily Spateholts and the Mac-Haydn Theatre. The show is stage managed by Emily Neimeyer.

Strict COVID-19 Protocol is in place to ensure safety at all events. Masks and physical distancing will be required.

Visit www.pleasantvalleyproductions.org to learn more.

In The Meantime Episode 2

The Mac-Haydn Theatre has released the second episode of In The Meantime, a weekly webcast series hosted by Producing Artistic Director John Saunders, as part of the Mac-Haydn Online virtual programming initiative. The Episode Premieres On YouTube at 12pm on Friday, May 29th.

Episode 2 features Elizabeth McGuire, choreographer for the 2019 production of Camelot, and Rob Brinkmann, last seen on the Mac-Haydn stage as Jud Fry in the 2019 production of Oklahoma!, for which he won a Berkshire Theatre Award. The two talk with Saunders about their artistic projects during quarantine, recent wedding, and experiences working at the Mac-Haydn Theatre.

Tune in on the Mac-Haydn YouTube Channel. Also hit subscribe below to receive updates about upcoming episodes as as well reminders to tune in.

Following the premiere, each episode will become available to stream

Watch On Our YouTube Channel

In The Meantime Premieres

We are so excited to announce the launch of “In the Meantime,” our new weekly webcast hosted by Producing Artistic Director John Saunders!

The series will premiere Friday, May 22 at 12pm and continue each week throughout the summer. Episodes will premiere on the Mac-Haydn YouTube Channel. Channel subcribers will be sent updates about upcoming episodes as as well reminders to tune in.

Following the premiere, each episode will become available on all our online platforms as well as right here on our website.

During each episode John will host notable Mac-Haydn alumni, discussing and showcasing their artistic endeavors during quarantine as well as learning more about their past experiences working at the theatre.

Episode 1 will feature Mac-Haydn favorite Emily Kron, last seen as Audrey in the 2019 production of Little Shop of Horrors. Kron’s past roles at the Mac-Haydn also include Sally Bowles in Cabaret, Nellie Forbush in South Pacific, Geneviève in The Baker’s Wife, and her Berkshire Theatre Award-winning performance as Mrs. Lovett in Sweeney Todd.

Head over to YouTube to watch our premiere episode!

Watch On Our YouTube Channel

Chatham, NY – April 2, 2019

The Mac-Haydn Theatre heads into its 51st season of summer theatre with new leadership and a revived commitment to the organization’s founding principles.

Producing Artistic Director John Saunders

“We are very excited to continue building on our wonderful legacy,” says producing artistic director John Saunders. “What Lynne and Linda created here in Chatham is something very special. It was a dreadful blow when we lost Lynne last year.” Lynne Haydn, a co-founder of the theatre, died last year, leaving Saunders in the principal leadership role.

Saunders isn’t afraid to shed light on the challenges. “It is a huge responsibility, particularly given the circumstances. I was extremely close to Lynne, I mean, she was my mentor and dear friend. But, Lynne left me feeling very prepared and confident to move the organization into our next 50 years. Our board of directors, led by Paul Colarusso Jr., have been extremely supportive, and I am very excited about our future plans and prospects. We have an exciting staffing restructure in process and have brought in some excellent personnel for the Summer 2019 season. I know it is going to be one of our best.”

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