Archive for year: 2025

You are here: / 2025

Depot Theatre’s Radio Play of A Christmas Carol is a Story of Hope and Forgiveness

The 2024 Performance of a Christmas Carol, Presented by The Depot Theatre Academy & Whallonsburg Grange Hall. (Credit: Official Show Photography by Betsy Bacot)

The 2024 Performance of a Christmas Carol, Presented by The Depot Theatre Academy & Whallonsburg Grange Hall. (Credit: Official Show Photography by Betsy Bacot)

“The holidays are a time to revisit old classics, whether it’s your favorite Christmas movies or annual performances of the Nutcracker. This Sunday, the Depot Theatre Academy in Westport is revisiting the Charles Dickens tale, ‘A Christmas Carol.’

It will be the 4th annual presentation of the story in the form of a radio play, written by Philip Grecian and performed at the Whallonsburg Grange. The play is co-directed by Amy Fitts and Gigi Mason and begins at 3 pm.

Mason spoke with Emily Russell about the performance, which will raise money and collect food donations for local pantries.”

(Link to full NCPR interview here.)

Depot Theatre Academy Celebrates Holiday Season with Festive Events

The Depot Theatre Academy is celebrating the holiday season with two special events bringing together community, creativity, and the rising young artists who are shaping the Academy’s future. 

A CHRISTMAS CAROL: A RADIO PLAY

On Sunday, Dec. 21, the Depot Theatre Academy and the Whallonsburg Grange Hall invite audiences to gather for a heart-warming Adirondack holiday tradition: the 4th Annual presentation of A Christmas Carol: A Radio Play by Philip Grecian, based on the much-loved novel by Charles Dickens.

Co-directed by Gigi Mason and Amy Fitts, this live radio-style performance blends period-inspired storytelling, Foley sound effects, and a spirited cast of Academy alumni and local artists. Together, they conjure the world of Ebenezer Scrooge and the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Future in a way that is both nostalgic and freshly engaging.

Enjoy refreshments at 2 p.m., performance begins at 3 p.m. Admission is free, with donations gratefully accepted to support area food pantries.

New this year, audiences will be able to tune in live and share in this holiday storytelling tradition, with streaming available on the Depot Theatre’s Facebook and YouTube channels.

MISCAST CABARET: A NEW YEAR FUNDRAISER FOR THE ACADEMY 

The Depot Theatre Academy ushers in the new year on Friday, Jan. 3, with an intimate, supper-club style Miscast Cabaret, featuring Academy alumni performing songs and scenes they’d never be cast in—unexpected, playful, and full of heart.

Held at The Mill, with food and beverages available for purchase from The Knock, this special evening brings together families, friends, and supporters in a celebration that directly benefits the Academy’s 2026 summer season.

The night will include a short but impactful paddle raise, supporting scholarships, production costs, and the opportunities that help young performers grow.

“This cabaret is pure joy,” co-director Mason said. “It’s a chance to watch our alumni stretch, surprise us, and have a blast—while everyone in the room makes a real impact on the opportunities we can offer next season.”

Doors open at 5 p.m., show begins at 6 p.m. at The Mill in Wadhams. Tickets $50; visit depottheatre.org/academyjan3.

“These two events reflect what makes the Depot Theatre Academy so special — the creativity of our young artists, the generosity of our community, and the shared belief that storytelling can bring people together,” said Sarah Wilson, Executive Director of the Depot Theatre. “We’re grateful for everyone who supports the Academy’s mission and helps us nurture the next generation of performers, technicians, and creative thinkers.” 

See this in the news: Sun Community News. 

ON THE SCENE: Depot Theatre in Westport Wraps up a Great Season

LPNews Depot Aug2025 article

Naj Wikoff lives in Keene Valley and has been writing his column for the Lake Placid News since 2005. He visited the Depot Theatre in August and interviewed some of the cast and crew. He also shares his thoughts on a performance he attended: “If you missed The Million Dollar Quartet, you missed an informative and lively hoot.”

Read the full article here.

106.3 WNBZ-FM SPECIAL SHOWS: The Roommate

Leslie Dame and Beth Glover at 106.3 WNBZ-FM

The cast and director of THE ROOMMATE got a chance to be on the radio! If you missed it:

Station Takeover:

https://www.wnbz.com/…/nbz-fm-takeover-the-depot…/

Interview with cast & director:

https://www.wnbz.com/…/beth-glover-leslie-dame-and…/

Depot Theatre: Downpour failed to dampen the patriotic spirit / Mountain Lake PBS

The cast of the Depot Theatre’s Million Dollar Quartet had the honor of opening the 176th Essex County Fair with the National Anthem at 5 pm on Wednesday, August 13th. 

A torrential summer storm framed the moment, rain pouring down as the cast performed the anthem to open the Fair. 

Cast members from left to right: Jane Boxall (Fluke), Brian Sanford (Johnny Cash), Addison Schuh (Dyanne), Jonathan Acorn (Jerry Lee Lewis), and Jonathan Hadley (Sam Phillips). 

Watch the video from Mountain Lake PBS here. 

Depot Theatre Announces Cast for Jen Silverman’s The Roommate

Sharp Wit and Unlikely Friendship to Close the 2025 Season

Westport, N.Y. — The Depot Theatre will close its 2025 Main Stage season with a limited Labor Day weekend engagement of The Roommate by Jen Silverman, fresh from its acclaimed Broadway run. Starring Depot Theatre Co-Artistic Director Beth Glover alongside Leslie Dame, the production will play four performances only, August 28–31, in the theatre’s historic Westport, New York train-station venue.

This funny, slyly suspenseful 90-minute dramedy is an incisive look at identity, unexpected connection, and the messy thrill of starting over. USA Today praised the Broadway production as “criminally funny”…. “a smart, touching two-hander” said The New York Times, while TheaterMania called it “a gem of a play, equal parts laugh-out-loud funny and quietly profound.”

The story follows Sharon, a recently divorced, middle-aged woman in Iowa, who takes in a new roommate, Robyn — a free-spirited newcomer from the city with a mysterious past. What begins as a polite Midwestern arrangement quickly accelerates into a surprising, and occasionally dangerous, bond.

The Depot Theatre production features a powerhouse creative team:

  • Beth Glover (Sharon), Co–Artistic Director of the Depot Theatre, Broadway Tour alum, and regional theatre mainstay whose Depot performances have been called “magnetic” and “richly layered.”
  • Leslie Dame (Robyn), a highly regarded local professional known for her dynamic work on stage and in indie film.
  • Karen Lewis (Director), Co–Artistic Director of the Depot Theatre, Emmy- and Writers Guild–winning scriptwriter for television, and a playwright whose work has been featured at festivals including Spoleto and off-Broadway.

“Some people buy a sports car in midlife. In The Roommate, they make…other choices,” said Director Karen Lewis. “Beth and Leslie capture all the humor, danger, and bad ideas that come with them.”

The Roommate will be performed at the Depot Theatre, the first and oldest Professional Equity Theatre in the Adirondacks, located in a restored 1876 train station in the heart of Westport, NY. 

  • Thursday, August 28 at 5:00 PM ($25 Preview Performance followed by Depot Dialogue)
  • Friday, August 29 at 5:00 PM
  • Saturday, August 30 7:30 PM
  • Sunday, August 31 at 3:00 PM

Tickets and Information: 

Tickets are available online at DepotTheatre.org or by calling the box office at (518) 962-4449.

The Depot Theatre’s 2025 Season is sponsored by the Rogers-Carroll Family Foundation. The Roommate is sponsored by Emerging Blue. 

See this announcement in the news here: BroadwayWorld. 

Depot Theatre Announces Cast for Broadway Mega-Hit MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET

Electrifying Musical Inspired by the Greatest Jam Session in Rock ’n’ Roll History Hits the Depot Theatre Stage August 2025

Westport, NY — The Depot Theatre, a professional Equity theatre located in the Adirondacks, is proud to announce the cast and creative team for its upcoming production of MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET, the exhilarating jukebox musical inspired by the legendary 1956 recording session that brought together Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Carl Perkins.

The production, directed and choreographed by Michael Santora, features more than 20 rock ’n’ roll hits performed live on stage—including “Blue Suede Shoes,” “Folsom Prison Blues,” “Great Balls of Fire,” and “Hound Dog.”

The cast features a powerhouse lineup of actor-musicians:

  • Jonathan Acorn (Jerry Lee Lewis / Music Director) comes in hot  — taking on the dual role of front man and Music Director. He spent three years rocking Million Dollar Quartet across the globe with Norwegian Cruise Line and helped ignite the world premiere of Million Dollar Quartet Christmas.
  • Sage Spiker (Elvis Presley) reprises the King for the sixth time, with credits including Kinky Boots and Beautiful: The Carole King Musical.
  • Cason Day (Carl Perkins) returns to the role with rockabilly flair, having played it five times prior alongside notable turns in Ring of Fire and Little Shop of Horrors.
  • Brian Sanford (Johnny Cash) brings the Man in Black to life following acclaimed performances in Branson and New England.
  • Jonathan Hadley (Sam Phillips) returns to the Depot stage, where he previously starred in The 39 Steps and served as Interim Producing Director. Broadway audiences know him from Jersey Boys.
  • Addison Schuh (Dyanne) rejoins the Depot following her turn in Pump Boys and Dinettes, with recent credits including Into the Woods and Phantom.
  • Jane Boxall (Fluke – drums) is a globally touring percussionist with a doctorate in performance and a reputation for inspired musicality.
  • Chris Shacklett (Jay Perkins – bass) is a North Country favorite, musician, and theatre veteran known for his dynamic stage presence and musical versatility.

Director Michael Santora has performed MDQ over 300 times in various productions around the country as Sam Phillips and brings deep insight and passion to the story. His directing credits span Shakespeare to jukebox hits, from Hamlet to Forever Plaid.

The production is stage-managed by Lydya Felix, who returns to the Depot Theatre after working on Spamalot, End Days, and What the Constitution Means to Me.  

“Musical Fireworks!” – Associated Press

“Wildly Entertaining” – Hollywood Reporter

“Soul-stirring, good-time classic with a surprising amount of grit and soul!” – Chicago Tribune

TICKETS & INFO:

🎸 Preview Performances – $25 Tickets

Be part of the excitement of experiencing the show before the critics and the crowds:

  • Thursday, August 7— The very first public performance of MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET. This is your chance to witness the moment the show hits the stage for the first time. Even though it’s not opening night, expect that unmistakable opening-night electricity, plus the thrill of knowing you’re seeing it before anyone else.
  • Friday, August 8 — Our official Preview Night, fully staged and performed at a lower ticket price to make professional theatre more accessible for all.

Regular performances run August 9 –August 24

Audiences looking for a deeper dive into the creative process are invited to attend the Depot Dialogue, a post-show discussion with cast and crew following the Thursday, August 14 performance.

MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET  runs August 7 – 24 at the Depot Theatre, located in a restored 1876 train station in the heart of Westport, NY. Tickets are available at depottheatre.org/tickets or by calling the box office at 518.962.4449.

SPONSORS:

MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET is sponsored by The Brooks and Joan Fortune Family Foundation. The Depot Theatre’s 47th season is sponsored by the Rogers-Carroll Family Foundation.

See this announcement in the news: BroadwayWorld. 

Featured on Mountain Lake PBS: RADIANT VERMIN examines the underbelly of living well

Featured on MountainLake PBS July 21

You can experience a dark comedy at the Depot Theatre in Westport, New York, this season, one that asks how far would you go to have it all? 

The play RADIANT VERMIN by British playwright Philip Ridley is set around a couple’s dream of the perfect home, but behind the closed doors are sinister secrets of the haves and have nots.

(Link to full article here.)

 

Press Republican Feature: Chan Harris directs RADIANT VERMIN at Westport’s Depot Theatre

Featured in the Press Republican on Thursday July 17 – link to full story here. 

 

Robin Caudell, The Press-Republican, Plattsburgh, N.Y.

Thu, July 17, 2025

WESTPORT — “Every Brilliant Thing” director Chan Harris returns to the Depot Theatre this season to interface white-box tech in the fast-paced black comedy “Radiant Vermin,” written by Philip Ridley, an internationally acclaimed “master of the modern myth.”

North Country audiences get a preview performance tonight in Westport of the play, which premiered in 2015 at Tobacco Factory Theatres, Bristol, before transferring to Soho Theatre in London.

Set in contemporary Britain, a young couple, Ollie (Peter Corley) and Jill (Laura Menzie), live in the Red Ocean Estates, when they receive a sticky offer from stranger Miss Dee/Kay (Emily Abruzzi) to own their dream home and leave public housing forever.

Ollie and Jill are lower-middle class, educated, not too well-connected and try too hard to be fashionable.

“It was a new play to me, but I really liked it when I first read it,” Harris said. “He’s very British. Not in a bad way, but in a really good way. The way that the Brits generally … this is kind of a gross overgeneralization, even when they speak they sound polite typically whether they are or not. Their general sense of manners is often more oppressive than the way we use manners if that makes sense. They don’t ever want to step over the lines of propriety in general. That’s not true for everyone in Britain, of course, but the general feel of the country is a lightness kind of guides a lot of things. Doing the right thing in a sense.

“If this story was to take place in America, it would be a different story than it is. There are some very heavy conditions that they don’t realize when they say yes to the house. There are some very conditions attached, but they have to figure out how to make it work.”

Link to full story on the Press Republican here as well as on Yahoo! Entertainment here. 

 

Featured on NCPR: Meet the Depot Theatre team finding “fabulous” scripts, actors for shows that are a “darn good time”

As featured on North Country Public Radio (Air date July 14, 2025) 

“The artistic producers at the Depot Theatre in Westport are pretty curious what you’ll think of the new show opening this weekend.

“Radiant Vermin” is a brilliantly written dark comedy satire about the lengths you go to get what you want, according to Beth Glover and Karen Lewis.

“It’s outrageous. It’s completely delicious. And, in this wonderful world of rampant consumerism, I think it’s going to speak to people,” said Lewis, ironically.

Lewis and Glover told Northern Light co-host Monica Sandreczki it’s a perfect fit for their mainstage season.” 

Link to full article & interivew here. 

 

Our Mission & Vision

Mission: The Depot Theatre is to entertain, enrich, and educate through professional theatrical arts and related programs based in a historic train station.

Vision: The Depot Theatre will have a robust, regional, and year-round presence by creating the highest of quality programs, building strong partnerships, and enhancing community engagement while promoting diversity in all that we do.

Email Sign-up

Get the latest Depot Theatre News!

Sign-up

Recent News

  • Depot Theatre Opens Season Pass Sales for 2026 Main Stage SeasonMarch 16, 2026 - 4:13 pm

    Summer lineup features Tick, Tick… Boom!, Incident at Our Lady of Perpetual Help, and Ring of Fire  WESTPORT, NY — The Depot Theatre opened sales for its 2026 Main Stage Season Pass Package on March 16, offering audiences an opportunity to secure seats for a summer of professional theatre in one of the Adirondacks’ most […]

Read all News

The Depot Theatre receives funding from the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Governor and the New York State Legislature.

With special thanks to the following for their support of the Depot’s ongoing strategic objectives: Alfred Z. Solomon Charitable Trust, Cloudsplitter Foundation, J.M. McDonald Foundation, Inc., Glenn and Carol Pearsall Adirondack Foundation, Charles R. Wood Foundation, Adirondack Foundation, Cornelia T. Bailey Foundation, Rogers Carroll Family Foundation, Brooks and Joan Fortune Family Foundation.

Contact Us

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.