Historic Bucks County Playhouse Wards of Foreclosure
Historic Bucks County Playhouse in New Hope, Philadelphia went into foreclosure and shut down in December. It has been in operation for over seven decades. A non-profit group including locals, officials of the government and a motley collection of professionals from Broadway will henceforth be managing the show.
Jed Bernstein, the producer of Broadway hit ‘Driving Miss Daisy’ was shocked. He said, “The entire theatre community was aghast at the idea of permanently losing this legendary venue”.
The non-profit new management named Bucks County Playhouse Conservancy has started to raise funds to purchase the property from the lender, repair it and then reopen it. Bernstein said together with his colleagues a programme is being developed for the summer season of the theatre this year.
The lender, a bank repossessed the Bucks County Playhouse in 2010 when the owner of the theatre, Ralph Miller defaulted owing the bank nearly $2.2 million on the mortgage of the property. Miller has been the owner for over three decades. A sheriff’s sale was held but no bidders came forth.
Among the noted actors and actresses who appeared on the stage were Robert Redford, Walter Matthau, Bernadette Peters, Grace Kelley and Helen Hayes among others. The heydays of the theatre were during the sixties. It was the favourite venue for the artists of Hollywood and Broadway. The performances were held largely during summer.
Clifford David of Heritage Conservancy Preservation (president) said “We recognize the playhouse as a cultural icon of the community. Our hope is to preserve the building and continue the important cultural contribution it makes”.
The playhouse can accommodate 450 viewers. It is by the Delaware River. Originally it was constructed to be a grist mill in the 1790’s. It is situated 40 miles off Philadelphia lying to its north, and 90 miles off New York City lying to its south. It made its debut in 1939. The main person behind it was Moss Hart (playwright) and many locals who rallied to prevent the old mill from being pulled down. It was converted into a playhouse or theatre.
Peggy McRae, one of the local theatre enthusiasts who had taken a lead role in trying to rescue the playhouse, said, “I am thrilled to see our community, once again, rally around the playhouse to assure its future”.
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