Playmaker of The Hudson Valley

Elmwood Players, Nyack

BY GEORGE J. DACRE

It all started in 1958 when a group of theater enthusiasts purchased for $8,000 the old St. Paul’s Church and an old taxi office on Park Street in Nyack and converted it to a community theatre. The playhouse has undergone more than $400,000 in renovations and expansion since then and has grown most decades since then.

The Elmwood Players will be presenting a full slate of shows in its 2017 season, including a new version of “Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde,” “La Cage Au Folles,” “On Golden Pond,” and “A Lesson Before Dying.”.

Steve Taylor of White Plains, current president of the Elmwood Players, was first attracted to Elmwood by an ad for the show “Two Trains Running.” He came to see it and later auditioned for a role and won it in “Ragtime” and has performed in six stage productions at the Park St, venue.

Taylor says Elmwood is continuing to raise funds for further renovations, which include new more comfortable seats, a lobby, new restrooms and more. Taylor, who works in computers for a large Manhattan law firm, says in making the additions and renovations, Elmwood incurred new debts and the playhouse is currently fundraising. Supporters can send contributions to Elmwood Playhouse, 10 Park Street, Nyack, NY 10960.