The Chappaqua Drama Group
An Archive of Chappaqua Drama Group Programs & Photos from 45 Years of Great Community Theatre In Westchester County NY How It Began...The SeasonsHow It All Began…
[This text with a few minor modification I just made to it first appeared in the program for Shirley Valentine Anniversary Celebration in January 1995]
The Chappaqua Drama Group had it’s beginnings in 1953 when the Hechts and Mirken’s and the Prestons discussed the idea of a local theatre group dinner. At first they and their friends read plays in each other’s home and called themselves the North of Broadway Players. In 1955 they changed their name to The Chappaqua Drama Group and offered the first CDG production, “Harvey” , at the Bell School. In the fifty-four years since then, CDG has produced a wide range of dramas, musicals, comedies and original works.
In 1966 Fels Hecht and Seymour Robinson lent CDG money to buy the historic feed and grain store located by the northbound Chappaqua exit on the Saw Mill Parkway. For many years the red barn became the cent for meetings, rehearsals, set construction and costume and prop storage. We were one of the very first community theatre groups to own our own building.
CDG once had a board of of some 24 plus directors and advisors but today CDG is run by by lean five member board who make policy decisions, about CDG’s administration, discuss financial matters, select each season’s productions, interview directors, run open auditions and work on the productions themselves. In addition to pre production, onstage and backstage tasks, there is constant work to be done by board members on correspondence, grants, and fundraising., liaison with the Chappaqua Library, ticket processing, advertising, poster and program printing, membership, public relation and the work of the historian who clips reviews and corresponds with alumni.
CDG’s season of a musical, a drama and a comedy are chosen by the Board. Plus, two shows are chosen by the Producers Showcase Chairperson (more often than not the late Phil Tocantins). These are typically lower budget, possibly avant garde, often more risky in terms of box office success. CDG often includes original works, the most recent of which was “On Second Thought” by Chappaqua’s Tony-award nominated Peter Kellog. We feel that in this way we can offer a good range of quality theatre to our audiences.
CDG has a strong affection for it community and serves it in different ways. We offer senior and student discounts; we give an annual $500 Helen Hecht Award to a graduating senior with a demonstrated interest in the theatre; we loan our building to the Saw Mill Summer Theatre for their productions; we lend out costumes and props to local schools and other community theatres; we participate in Community Day and Historical Society events. when the Chappaqua Library Theatre was built, CDG advised on the design of the theatre and in 1988 after suggesting the installation of an infrared listening system, got the ball rolling with a fundraising event featuring CDG stars of the past and hosted by Alan Arkin and Barbara Dana.
It would be good to end by quoting the late George Ferris, a beloved friend who died too young. He said in an interview: “When first called to serve on the CDG board I was a bit apprehensive. I expected a group of snobby, stuck-up people but instead found a group of warm, friendly people who welcomed me and all newcomers… The group does not get caught up in politics [HAH!] We are concerned about providing quality entertainment. CDG prides themselves on the fact that we do not precast. All roles for every show are always open. Although directors have final casting decisions, they are not allowed to precast. We encourage and welcome new people.New blood is what will make CDG grow and help provide exceptional theatre to the community. “
Articles…
Jerrald Hayes: I am in need of a little help this fall…
As some of you might already know I moved to Avon CT back in 2015 ostensibly because I would then have a brother who lived just down the road that could help with here care from time to time but it didn’t quite work out as I originally had hoped it would. Anyway my...
44 Years of Chappaqua Drama Group Productions
Season 1 1955 Harvey Season 2 1956-57 My Three Angels Bell Book and Candle Season 3 1957-58 Tiger At The Gates The Silver Whistle Season 4 1958-59 Uncle Harry The Solid Gold Cadillac Season 5 1959-60 Separate Tables Ghost Season 6 1960-61 Come Back Little Sheba Light...
Season 34 1989 — 1990
There were five productions in the 1989—1990 Season You're Going To Love Tomorrow Jesus Christ Superstar The Glass Menagerie In This Century The Nerd You're Going To Love TomorrowJesus Christ SuperstarThe Glass MenagerieIn This CenturyThe Nerd
Season 31 1985 — 1986
There were six productions in the 1985—86 Season. Mass Appeal & Sister Mary Ignatius Explains It All To You Evita Da Love Cole Absurd Person Singular The Belle of Amherst Mass Appeal & Sister Mary Ignatius Explains It All To YouEvitaDaLove ColeAbsurd Person...
Season 30 1984 — 1985
There were six productions in the 1984—85 Season. Mame A Lesson from Aloes Interplay The Elephant Man Merrily We Roll Along Catch Me If You Can MameA Lesson from AloesInterplayThe Elephant ManMerrily We Roll AlongCatch Me If You CanProducer Ellen Honig, Rosalita, and...
Season 10 1964—1965
There were two productions in the 1964—65 Season. Cat On A Hot Tin Roof The Boy Friend Cat On A Hot Tin RoofThe Boy Friend CDG's first musical.
Season 9 1963 — 1964
There were two productions in the 1963—64 Season. Dark Of The Moon — is a dramatic stage play by Howard Richardson and William Berney. The play was produced on Broadway in 1945 and was the maiden production of the now acclaimed New York Circle in the Square Theatre in...
Season 8 1962 — 1963
There were two productions in the 1962—63 Season. Thurber Carnival— A Thurber Carnival is a revue by James Thurber, adapted by the author from his stories, cartoons and casuals (humorous short pieces), nearly all of which originally appeared in The New Yorker. It was...
Season 7 1961 — 1962
There were two productions in the 1961—62 Season. Night Must Fall— Night Must Fall is a 1937 American film adaptation of the play by Emlyn Williams, adapted by John Van Druten and directed by Richard Thorpe. It stars Robert Montgomery, Rosalind Russell and Dame May...
Season 6 1960 — 1961
There were two productions in the 1960—61 Season. Come Back Little Sheba— is a 1950 play by the American dramatist William Inge. The play was Inge's first, written while he was a teacher at Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri. (wikipedia article) Light Up The...