Rhinebeck Theatre Society presents trio of plays
RHINECLIFF, N.Y. » The Rhinebeck Theatre Society will present a trio of fullystaged plays as part of its New Directors Series at the Morton Memorial Library, 82 Kelly St., during February.
Directing the plays will be Rena Gavigan, Dan Chester and Lisa Delia. 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.
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 decides to raise their son as a girl after a terrible accident.
Performances of “Boy” will take place Thursday, Feb. 3, and Saturday, Feb. 5, at 7 p.m., and Sunday, Feb. 6, at 3 p.m. at the library. There will also be a special performance at the Dutchess County Pride Center, 1085 state Route 55, LaGrangeville, on Friday, Feb. 4, at 7 p.m.
Chester, a teaching artist with The Art Effect, directs the farcical “Books” by Stuart Kaminsky. In “Books,” an ordinary day in a bookstore turns not-so-ordinary when a would-be bank robber makes the place his hideout. Performances of “Books” will take place at the library on Thursday, Feb. 10, and Saturday, Feb. 12, at 7 p.m., and Sunday, Feb. 13, at 3 p.m.
The series will conclude with “She Kills Monsters,” written by Qui Nguyen and directed by 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.
Performances of “She Kills Monsters” are scheduled for Thursday, Feb. 17, and Saturday, Feb. 19, at 7 p.m. and Sunday, Feb. 20, at 3 p.m. at the library.
“The remarkable thing about this series is how each of our directors has chosen a piece which so clearly matches their individual strengths,” producer Dot Luongo said in a press release. “It is definitely daring to present three different plays in just three weekends, but the energy, talent and enthusiasm of these directors (have) truly driven the project from the beginning. We are so excited for them to share their work.”
Individual tickets are $15 each. A group ticket for all three shows is $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.
Visit www.rhinebecktheatresociety.org for more information.