For the first time in a span of 25 years, the Woodstock Playhouse opens its (new!) doors for an official Summer Stock season with three musical productions that will feature dancers, singers and actors from near and far: professionals of national and international renown, and a few Ulster County theater pros as well. A Chorus Line, directed by Hector Guerrero, high-kicks off the season on June 30 and runs through July 10. Thursday, Friday and Saturday performances start at 8 p.m. and Sunday shows at 2 p.m.

A tale illuminating the very difficult life of dancers – their physical challenges, competitive struggles, victories and defeats – is perhaps the perfect choice for the venue, given the near-miss foreclosure that it sustained last year. When the Catskill Watershed Corporation stepped up last November to make a $700,000 low-interest loan to the new principals, the Playhouse was saved in a move that only the drama of the theater world could mimic.

On opening night of A Chorus Line, an Inaugural Gala will be held to celebrate the new Woodstock Playhouse Productions with wine and hors d’oeuvres served at 7 p.m. and champagne and desserts after the show. Playhouse directors Randy Conti and Douglas Farrell – also founder/directors of the Hurley-based Pan American Dance Foundation and its New York Conservatory for the Arts – are duly proud to present the renovated space, which includes a full structural enclosure and art dual galleries. Tickets to the Gala cost $150 per person.

Next, Anything Goes will transport audiences back to the fun and folly of a bygone era beginning on Friday, July 15 and running through Sunday, July 24, to be directed by Andrew Parker Greenwood. And for a flashback to the not-so-distant past, Hair, to be directed by Sidney Erik Wright, will “sanctify the space” in proper irreverent style with the essence of Woodstock’s infamous 1960s, running from Thursday, August 4 through Saturday, August 13.

Woodstock Playhouse Productions are proud to present a Summer Stock Season 2011 cast list hailing from New York City to LA to Japan, including LauRen Nicole Alaimo, Brittany Avey, Mark W. Blowers, Gordon W. Brown, Jack Creviston, Mallory Cunningham, Marie Elaina Demarest, Alex Domini, Cynthia Eichor, David Foster, Kenny Francoeur, Tim Fuchs, Casey Elizabeth Gill, Juliane Godfrey, Gary Hosking, Tommy Joscelyn, Andrew Metzgar, Dimitri Moise, Genevieve H. Perrino, J. Nycole Ralph, Tim Russell, Riza Takahashi, Kyle Peter Van Zandt and Matthew Wiggin. Brendon Shapiro is music director for the entire season.

The transformation from a seasonal, open-air venue into a fully enclosed, year-round theater with heating, air conditioning, new theater seating, gallery space and enhanced tech appointments is now complete. Tickets are on sale for a summer of great musical entertainment. And through the commitment of the Foundation and other generous benefactors, the Woodstock Playhouse is now available as a prime performance venue for dance, theater, music and film presentations, as well as social and corporate events. Call (845) 339-4340 for reservations and further information.