Vocalosity to Perform at Final Phase Groundbreaking at Bucks County Playhouse

Since 2012, the renovation and reopening of Bucks County Playhouse has brought a renewed vitality to the New Hope area. On Wednesday, September 21 at 11:30 a.m., Producers Alexander Fraser and Robyn Goodman will host a groundbreaking ceremony and announce the final phase of Bridge Street Foundation's renovations of The Playhouse with this expansion of the back deck into a new lobby and café space.

In addition to local dignitaries, elected officials and Playhouse supporters, members of Playhouse Artists, a new non-profit organization formed to support the theater's work, are expected to attend the groundbreaking ceremony.

In keeping with the artistic mission of The Playhouse, there will be entertainment at the groundbreaking provided by "Vocalosity", the a cappella sensation created by Deke Sharon, the artistic director of the film "Pitch Perfect" and the television program "The Sing Off". This is a preview to their September 23 to October 2 run at The Playhouse.

Fraser said, "This groundbreaking heralds the next step of Bridge Street Foundation's vision for a financially stable Playhouse that serves as an anchor for the redevelopment of the New Hope waterfront. Our growing audiences will now have adequate lobby and restroom facilities, in addition to expanded café services to welcome groups and patrons of the theater."

After only four seasons, The Playhouse summer season broke box office records with attendance up more than 24% from 2015. The Playhouse's production of Robert Harling's "Steel Magnolias" directed by Marsha Mason and starring Jessica Walter, Susan Sullivan and Patricia Richardson, broke the all-time box office record - becoming the highest grossing play in Bucks County Playhouse history. "Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story" directed by Hunter Foster and choreographed by Lorin Latarro, also broke records as it became The Playhouse's highest grossing musical. Additionally, the summer season shone with critically acclaimed productions of Charles Busch's "The Divine Sister", featuring original New York cast members Charles Busch, Alison Fraser and Julie Halston, and the new musical "Cake off" by Adam Gwon, Sheri Wilner and Julia Jordan starring Justin Guarini, Euan Morton and Michele Ragusa.

The Playhouse's expansion will allow for continued growth with 3,750 square feet of much-needed lobby space that also will serve as a bar and café that can host private groups up to 140 people. The Playhouse also plans to offer post-show dessert performances showcasing young performers.

Bridge Street Foundation's Kevin Daugherty said, "Providing permanent waterfront access to the community via an extended Promenade is a continuation of our efforts at bringing about the Riverfront Revitalization Strategic Plan as envisioned by New Hope's elected officials back in 2008. I'd like to thank our Borough Council, and especially Claire Shaw, for continued support of this project. Special mention should be made to T.J. Walsh, Borough Solicitor and Lynn Bush, Executive Director of the Bucks County Planning Commission, for their help in navigating the details of municipal ordinances. Senator Chuck McIlhinney and Congressman Mike Fitzpatrick deserve special thanks for their support with the State of Pennsylvania and FEMA. The expansion of The Playhouse deck to an enclosed, year-round facility will help ensure the economic sustainability of this historic theater."

Sherri Daugherty added, "When we chose to make an investment in New Hope by renovating The Playhouse, we hoped that it would bring back the energy and excitement associated with New Hope. We are thrilled with the success of this summer's season, and most appreciative of the talented leadership of Tony Award-winning producers Alex Fraser and Robyn Goodman. The team they have assembled and their intuitive instincts and knowledge of theater is bringing terrific success and growth to The Playhouse."

Larry Keller, Mayor of New Hope, has seen remarkable changes in the town of New Hope, with increased visitors and revenue since The Playhouse re-opened. He said, "We are so appreciative of Bridge Street's investment in The Playhouse, and the terrific management of the team directed by Alex Fraser and Robyn Goodman. The Playhouse's return has revitalized New Hope, drawing new business investment in town including a new Riverhouse at Odette's and Landmark Hospitality's renovations of The Logan Inn and Hotel du Village. All these projects are proof of how dedicated and committed individuals can make a positive difference in our community."

Furthering the goal of making The Playhouse financially sustainable, a new 501(c)3 public charity, Playhouse Artists, was certified by the IRS in June, 2016. Playhouse Artists supports the work of Bucks County Playhouse and its mission to stimulate, support, inspire and celebrate the performing arts in the New Hope region. With an outstanding Board of Directors comprised of community leaders, Playhouse Artists helps to build audiences through fundraising and audience development campaigns, special events, and education and community programs. Its major fundraising event, Galavant in the Garden, will be held Saturday, October 1 at Hortulus Farm and features a concert by Broadway and television star Megan Hilty.

Chair Marvin Woodall said, "We are thrilled about the expansion of The Playhouse and the launch of Playhouse Artists. With the success of the past few years, we have an outstanding foundation to enhance the growth of The Playhouse and all it brings to the New Hope region."

Bucks County Playhouse, a nonprofit 501(c)3 organization, is the oldest and largest professional Equity performing arts center in Bucks County. Under the direction of Tony Award-winning producers Alexander Fraser and Robyn Goodman, The Playhouse provides first class professional theatrical entertainment as well as community events, partnerships and arts education programming for visitors and residents of New Hope, Doylestown, Lambertville and the Delaware Valley.

Located between Philadelphia and New York, Bucks County Playhouse opened in 1939 in a converted 1790 gristmill after a group of community activists, led by Broadway orchestrator Don Walker and playwright Moss Hart, rallied to save the building. The Playhouse quickly became one of the country's most famous regional theaters, featuring a roster of American theatrical royalty including Helen Hayes, Kitty Carlisle, George S. Kaufman, Grace Kelly, Robert Redford, Bert Lahr, Walter Matthau, Angela Lansbury, Bernadette Peters, Alan Alda, Tyne Daly, Liza Minnelli and Audra McDonald and remained in continuous operation until December 2010. In 2012, The Playhouse re-opened thanks to the efforts of the Bridge Street Foundation, the nonprofit family foundation of Kevin and Sherri Daugherty, and Broadway producer Jed Bernstein.

Since its renovation, significant productions include Terrence McNally's "Mothers and Sons" starring Tyne Daly, which moved to Broadway and was nominated for two Tony Awards, and "Misery" by William Goldman based on the Stephen King novel which also went on to a Broadway run in the 2015-16 season. Two of The Playhouse's recent productions -- "Company" starring Justin Guarini, and William Finn's "The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee" -- were named by The Wall Street Journal to its "Best of Theater" list for 2015. The productions of "Steel Magnolia" and "The Buddy Holly Story" broke box office records in 2016.

Bridge Street Foundation is the nonprofit family foundation of Kevin and Sherri Daugherty and takes its name from the street that bridges Lambertville, NJ and New Hope, PA. Bridge Street Foundation was established to support the local community through the acquisition of important historical landmarks and aiding in their transition to self-sustaining contributors to the community. In addition to Bucks County Playhouse, Bridge Street purchased the First Baptist Church of Lambertville, now named Lambertville Hall. Kevin Daugherty is the founder of Speyside Equity, a private firm that acquires and rebuilds underperforming businesses. Sherri Daugherty is the owner of Angel Hearts, an upscale women's boutique in New Hope, PA.

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