Paul Wesley
Alexander Fraser and Robyn Goodman
Alexander Fraser and Robyn Goodman
Every town has a landmark that captures its character and resonates its spirit. For the town of New Hope, it can be no other than the Bucks County Playhouse. This year marks its 75th year of starring in the town’s history. The Playhouse’s story begins in 1938 with its founder, local resident and Broadway orchestrator Don Walker. His plan was simple: to turn the old gristmill, standing between Main Street and the Delaware River, into a summer stock venue. Walker’s conceit also included attracting new plays to premier on its stage with the intention that many of them would go on to Broadway.
The plan was a simple one by New York’s standards. By New Hope’s and Bucks County’s, it was colossal. And it changed this sleepy river town into a favorite destination forever.
The following July, the Bucks County Playhouse opened with its first production, “Springtime for Henry” by Ben W. Levy and starring Edward Everett Horton. And with it, the Playhouse had a boffo hit. It wasn’t long after that the Playhouse became a popular East Coast stop on the theatre circuit for actors, directors, producers and playwrights. Audiences flocked to town to see the shows and critics raved.
To continue reading this feature, turn to page 114 in the Spring 2014 issue of Bucks county Magazine.