Beehive an “excellent mix of joy and optimism”
Emily Edelman praises Director Bryan Knowlton’s work in her review for Berkshire On Stage

“Under the direction of musical supervisor David Maglione, the band never missed a note and were often joined on the risers by the performers, who sang to them, joked with them and made them part of the story.”

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The World Goes ‘Round a “Sheer Delight”
J. Peter Bergman: “You Can’t Go Wrong” Seeing The Mac-Haydn’s Production of The World Goes ‘Round. Read his review for The Berkshire Edge

“I saw this revue in New York in 1992 and rode home on the 104 bus with its star, Karen Ziemba. This time, at the Mac-Haydn Theatre, I relived that experience and loved everything about this new, re-thought production.”

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Man of La Mancha a “Stunning Production”
J. Peter Bergman calls Man of La Mancha “stunning in so many ways” in his review for Berkshire Bright Focus

Todd Underwood has directed and choreographed this show making the perfectly integrated work into one with a single vision. For the ultimate play-within-a-play experience this production is hard to beat, but the line is easy to follow as Underwood clearly understands.”

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She Loves Me a “Thoroughly Delightful Experience”
J. Peter Bergman calls She Loves Me “a production to be proud of” in his review for Berkshire Bright Focus

“Director John Saunders has done a very good job with this special romantic comedy. He has employed a soft, delicate touch and not pushed sentiment in place of reality, a hard thing to make work in a musical like this one.”

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She Loves Me Returns to the Mac-Haydn
The Charming She Loves Me Returns To The Mac-Haydn Stage Beginning August 12.

The Mac-Haydn Theatre presents She Loves Me, the classic musical by Jerry Bock, Sheldon Harnick and Joe Masteroff, running August 12 through 22. Considered by many to be the most charming musical ever written, She Loves Me is a warm, romantic comedy with an endearing innocence and a touch of old-world elegance. Set in a 1930s European perfumery, two feuding shop clerks both respond to a “lonely hearts advertisement” in the newspaper. They now live for the love letters that they exchange, but the identity of their admirers remains unknown.

Alumna Kelly Gabrielle Murphy returns to the Mac-Haydn as soprano Amalia Balash, after touring with Fiddler on the Roof as Tzeitel nationally before the pandemic. Murphy returns following her fan-favorite performances at the Mac-Haydn as Sophie in Mamma Mia! (2018), Johanna in Sweeney Todd (2017), and Jolene in Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (2017).

Newcomer Xander James makes his Mac-Haydn debut as Georg Nowack after a ten-year hiatus from live theatre. James currently works as a professional musician based in New York City, and his previous stage credits include Henry in Next to Normal, Chip in …Spelling Bee, and Jud in Oklahoma.

Rounding out the cast are returnees Erin Spears Ledford as Ilona Ritter, Andrew Burton Kelley as Steven Kodaly, Gabe Belyeu as Mr. Maraczek, William Taitel as Ladislav Sipos and Brian Wagner as Keller. Anthony Velez, continuing his debut season at the Mac-Haydn, is Arpad Laszlo.

She Loves Me is directed by Producing Artistic Director John Saunders, choreographed by Ashley DeLane Burger and music directed by David Maglione, with costume design by Bethany Marx, hair and makeup design by Matthew Oliver, lighting design by Andrew Gmoser, props by Emily Spateholts, sound design by Corbin White, and scenic design by Erin Kiernan.

Vaccination is required for all patrons. For tickets and details on COVID-19 protocols, please visit www.machaydntheatre.org/covid-19 or call the box office at 518-392-9292.

Visit Our She Loves Me Show Page To Learn More About The Show



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Press Contact

Amanda Calvin, Promotions Manager
Phone: 518-392-9292
Email: acalvin@machaydntheatre.org

Xander James

Xander “XAXA” James makes his triumphant return to the Mac Haydn Theater as the one and only Shakespeare in SOMETHING ROTTEN. He is so excited to be back at The Mac after having the pleasure of playing such roles as Georg in SHE LOVES ME and Jerry in THE FULL MONTY in past seasons. You can also catch Xander in New York City as a full time musician under the moniker XAXA playing regular shows all around the city. He has had the pleasure of playing NYC landmarks such as Groove, Cafe Wha?, The Red Lion, City Winery, and the Rainbow Room. Visit www.xaxamusic.com for more information and to stream his original music. Xander is so grateful for all the wonderful times and the amazing friends he has made here in Chatham. Huge thanks to John Saunders and everyone involved here at The Mac Haydn.

Roles this Season

Shakespeare in Something Rotten
Mia Sempertegui

Mia Sempertegui is a current graduate of the American Musical and Dramatic Academy. In the Fall she is off to Los Angeles to complete her training and receive her BFA in Theatre. She was born and raised in Queens, NY. Mia’s most recent project was the short film POCHA, directed by Carly Oscar, and she played Vic, the main protagonist. She has also performed in cabarets and concerts all throughout NYC since she was in high school. When not performing she is picking up new hobbies that interest her, such as crocheting, ceramics, sewing, piano, and writing music. Mia is extremely thrilled to join the Mac-Haydn Theatre family and escape the sounds of the big city for the summer! miasempertegui.com, (IG)miasemperteguii

Amber Mawande-Spytek

Amber is a New York Based Performer and is always stoked to be back at the Mac! Her passion is to create waves of art in musical theatre and in the performance industry as a whole, expanding the hearts and minds of theatre lovers everywhere. Her recent credits include Godspell (Uzo), Next to Normal (Natalie), Xanadu (Erato), and Pippin (Leading Player). She has received multiple Berkie Nominations throughout her time here at the Mac-Haydn as well as a recent Nomination for best Actress in a Musical at the New York Theatre Festival. Lots of thanks to her friends and family who are always supporting her endeavors and cheering her on. You can follow Amber on Instagram or Tiktok at @amber.mawande

Roles this Season

Sister Mary Theresa in Sister Act
Joanne Jefferson in Rent
Ensemble in All Shook Up
Minstrel in Something Rotten
Anthony Michael Velez

Anthony Michael Velez is so grateful to be returning to the Mac-Haydn Theatre for their 2024 Season. This will be his fourth season in a row here! You might remember his past roles as Paul San Marco (A Chorus Line), Sancho (Man of La Mancha) and Arpad Laszlo (She Loves Me) at the Mac-Haydn Theatre. He recently made his Off-Broadway debut as a Standby/Swing in El Otro Oz at the Atlantic Theatre. Anthony was the recipient of the 2019 National Youth Arts Awards for Best Actor in a Musical as Jack Kelly in Newsies (Pied Piper Youth Theatre). When he’s not on stage, Anthony works as a Teaching Artist for Broadway Bound Kids. He would like to thank his family and friends for always supporting his passion for the arts.
IG: @anthonyvelezzz

Roles this Season

Moose in West Side Story
TJ in Sister Act
Angel in Rent
Ensemble in All Shook Up
Ensemble in Something Rotten
Mac-Haydn Reopens July 29

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

The Mac-Haydn Theatre returns with a determination to be a beacon for the community, once again bringing people together for a shared experience.

CHATHAM, NY – June 14, 2021 The Mac-Haydn Theatre will reopen its doors for live performances on July 29 after more than a year of closure, bringing the exciting summer theatre it’s known for back to Chatham, NY. Audience members and staff will be required to provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination. The theatre’s season will run July 29 through October 3 and include five musicals, as well as several limited performances. Tickets go on sale later in June.

As Mac-Haydn emerges into an entirely new environment for both theatre producers and theatre goers, managing director James Rodgers has no illusions about the difficulties ahead as people find their confidence to return to live theatre. “It is incredibly important that, above all else, a safe environment is created for our staff and patrons. We now feel that the time is right and that we can operate our space safely within the protocols outlined by the CDC.”

Because the season is starting later than usual, the team plans to keep the programming coming through the month of September with a new and exciting performance schedule. “Rep-tember,” consisting of two musicals and various limited performances, will be presented on a repertory schedule. Guest artists for limited performances include Broadway artist Elizabeth Ward Land, innovative ensemble Touch, award-winning Kurt Weill performer James Benjamin Rodgers, Mac-Haydn favorite Laura Helm, and the immeasurable combined talent of the 2021 artists roster for the Showstoppers revue.

The Mac-Haydn Theatre is known as one of the country’s few theatres in-the-round. To allow for more social distancing an entire section has been removed, transforming the dynamic space into something that audiences have never seen before. This will be unique for 2021 as the theatre anticipates returning to full capacity in 2022. “Even with the reconfigured stage, we have still managed to maintain the ‘in-the round’ feel we are famous for. I think our dedicated fans will be especially delighted to see the new space along with the fantastic fall line-up we have scheduled,” says producing artistic director John Saunders. “We have been waiting what feels like a lifetime to get back to what we do best, and I just can’t wait to see everyone back at The Mac!”

Financial and box office manager Dee Lashway, who has worked with the theatre since its earliest years, feels that the Mac-Haydn has never experienced anything like the last 18 months in its 51-year history. “I have been with the theatre every summer since 1970, and not having a season in 2020 was devastatingly sad for me but the support, good wishes, and ‘miss you’ comments from so many of our patrons touched my heart, gave me hope that all would be fine, and made all of us determined to keep moving forward.”



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Performance Details

Main Stage

Pippin (July 29 – August 8, 2021)
She Loves Me (August 12 – August 22, 2021)
Man of La Mancha (August 26 – September 5, 2021)
Beehive: The ‘60s Musical (September 11 – October 2, 2021)
The World Goes ‘Round (September 10 – October 3, 2021)

All Tickets $42

Children’s Theatre

The Most Incredible Thing (August 20 – August 28, 2021)

All Tickets $14

Limited Events

Exiled: The Evolution of Kurt Weill — James Benjamin Rodgers (September 1 & 29, 2021)
Still Within the Sound of My Voice: The Songs of Linda Ronstadt — Elizabeth Ward Land (August 18, September 10 & 17, 2021)
Showstoppers — Mac-Haydn Company (September 4, 15, 22 & 29, 2021)
toUch (Dates TBD)
Laura’s at the Helm — Laura Helm in Concert (September 15 & 22, 2021)

All Tickets $42

Ticket Purchases

Ticket Sales: By phone and online beginning late June.
Online: www.machaydntheatre.org

Phone: 518-392-9292

Press Contact

James Rodgers, Managing Director
Phone: (212) 920-1257
Email: jrodgers@machaydntheatre.org

Andrew Burton Kelley

Andrew Burton Kelley is ecstatic to be returning for his 5th season here at The Mac! Past Mac-Haydn credits include Xanadu (Sonny), Little Shop of Horrors (Seymour), Jersey Boys (Bob Gaudio), Oklahoma! (Will Parker), and She Loves Me (Kodlay), to name a few. Other Credits: National Tour; Waitress. Cruise Ships; Cranival Cruise Lines (Carnival Victory, Production Singer), The Comany Men (Man 2). Regional; Waitress (Ogunquit), Grease (Palace Theatre), A Chorus Line (The Argyle, Palace Theatre), Xanadu (Cortland Repertory), Rent (Firehouse Center for the arts), and itch Albom’s original musical, Hockey!-The New Musical (Detroit City Theatre). He is forever grateful to his family, FSE, his amazing wife and fellow actor Rachel, and the sweetest kitten to ever exsist, Eloise. IG;@thereal_abk

Roles this Season

Mark Cohen in Rent
Nick Bottom in Something Rotten
Soloist in Gifts of Love: The Music of Stephen Schwartz
William Taitel

William Taitel is a Baritone from Rockaway, New Jersey. This will be his second season of performances at the Mac-Haydn Theatre. He is super excited to give his all this season, especially since the world has been in a state of chaos and he has been cooped up inside for too long. His other performances include: Jekyll & Hyde (Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde), Oklahoma (Ali Hakim), Ragtime (Booker T. Washington). He hopes you enjoy the performances and the season! Do it up big!

Sam Seleznow

Sam is so excited to be back in Chatham with his Mac-Haydn family and is grateful to be doing theater again. Past credits include: Footloose (Ren), Sweeney Todd (Tobias), Grease (Johnny Casino), Ragtime (Tateh u/s), James and the Giant Peach (Grasshopper), Matilda (Big Kid), and many others at Mac-Haydn and at other regional theaters. Sam has also worked as a production singer for two cruise lines traveling all over the world and working in Germany. Sam was stranded at sea for two months at the beginning of the pandemic and is happy to be back on land! Sam will soon be releasing a music project that he wrote, co-produced, and recorded during the pandemic so look out for that (ig- @samseleznow). Sam is a Hartt school Alumni. Much love to his family and everyone at Mac-Haydn.

Kylan Ross

Kylan (he/him) is very excited to be back at the Mac-Haydn Theatre for his fourth season. Originally from Ireland, Kylan now calls New York City home. Some of Kylan’s previous credits include: NEXT TO NORMAL (Gabe – Berkshire Theatre Award Nominee for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Musical 2022), URINETOWN (Bobby Strong), TODRICK HALL’S STRAIGHT OUTTA OZ, North American Tour (The Wizard), PIPPIN (Pippin), NEWSIES (Davey/Race), GUYS AND DOLLS (Harry The Horse), RAGTIME (Younger Brother), CHESS (Anatoly), A CHORUS LINE (Al), THE WORLD GOES ROUND (Berkshire Theatre Award Nominee for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Musical 2021).
You can keep up with Kylan on Instagram at: @kylanross

Roles this Season

Nigel Bottom in Something Rotten
Maya Cuevas

Maya is grateful to return to Mac-Haydn for her second year! A recent grad from The Hartt School of Music, Dance, and Theatre, her credits include Goodspeed Musicals Festivals: Gloria GROW, Mac-Haydn Theatre: Sarah RAGTIME, Ronnette LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS, Frenchie GREASE, Armina OKLAHOMA! Playhouse on Park: Carla u/s IN THE HEIGHTS, North Rockland Theatre Society: Aida AIDA, New Generation Theatre: Vanessa IN THE HEIGHTS, The Hartt School: Loraine u/s ALL SHOOK UP. Maya would very much like to thank her parents, siblings, and all of her family for always being her number one supporters, especially throughout the pandemic. She is super thankful to be back at the place she loves- doing what she loves once again!

Rachel Pantazis

Rachel Pantazis is elated to be returning back to the Mac-Haydn for her fifth summer. Rachel has just completed her national tour debut as Meg in Little Women the musical. Featured Mac credits: Xanadu, Man of La Mancha, Jersey Boys, The Marvelous Wonderettes, Sunset Boulevard, She Loves Me, and Oklahoma! When she isn’t performing musical theatre, she is traveling the country with America’s Sweethearts, a New York City-based tribute group for the Andrews Sisters. The group performs mainly for veterans across the USA. Rachel is also an experienced and dedicated voice educator for students of all ages. Thank you to John Saunders for always welcoming me back to my favorite theatre! Love to my husband and soulmate, Andrew Burton Kelley. Rachelpantazis.com | @Repantz

Roles this Season

Miss Sandra in All Shook Up
Angie Colonna

Look out old Mac is back!! Angie is beyond thankful to be returning to a theatre she calls home. Angie made her Mac-Haydn debut in 2019, receiving a nomination for Broadway Worlds Best Supporting Actress for her portrayal of Rizzo in Grease. Angie is thrilled to take on the role of dance captain and choreographer this summer! Angie is so grateful to be able to continue spreading joy, being an ally and lifting others up all while doing what she loves most. Thank you John, James, Jill and my dear friend Spates for all your continued love and support! Angie dedicates everything she does to her Colonna Army. You’re my way, my moon and my life. After all this time, we survived! Always.

Brian D. Wagner

Brian D. Wagner is happy to be back for his 7th season at the Mac! He was most recently seen in 42ND STREET (Abner Dillon) and FOOTLOOSE (Uncle Wes.) Other select Mac credits include HELLO DOLLY (Horace Vandergelder), URINETOWN (Senator Fipp), RAGTIME (JP Morgan), FUNNY GIRL (Flo Ziegfeld), ANNIE (Drake), ANYTHING GOES (Eli Whitney), MAN OF LA MANCHA (Governor) and SUNSET BOULEVARD (Cecil B. de Mille.) Other favorite roles include Man in Chair (THE DROWSY CHAPERONE), Doctor Berensteiner (A NEW BRAIN) and Dick Deadeye (HMS PINAFORE).When not treading the boards, Brian can be seen selling real estate around Columbia County as well as directing a team of data engineers at an advertising agency based in NYC! As always, my love to Tim for his support in all I do onstage and off.

Roles this Season

Monsignor O'Hara in Sister Act
Ashley DeLane Burger

Ashley DeLane Burger (Director/Choreographer) is returning for her 5th Season! She has been enjoying trying on as many different “hats” in the industry as possible over the last decade. Beyond a choreographer & performer Ashley DeLane is a proud teaching artist, at studio, high school and collegiate levels, judges dance competitions around the country, and last winter she joined the CoComelon Live National Tour as their Company Manager. She is elated to add Director to that list this season with The Marvelous Wonderettes! www.ashleydelane.com
Mac Magic includes – Choreo: Forever Plaid (2022 BWW Best Choreography), A Chorus Line (Assoc & Standby), She Loves Me, Sunset Boulevard, South Pacific. Stage: The Full Monty, Pippin (2021 BWW Best Supporting Performer), Man of La Mancha, Major Arcana, Beehive, My Fair Lady, Chicago, Nice Work If You Can Get It.
BA Theatre Performance: Wagner College. MS Kinesiology: ATSU. CMA: Laban Institute of Movement Studies.

Creative Roles this Season

Choreographer - Jersey Boys
Director - The Marvelous Wonderettes