The Show Must Go On …
Â
COLUMBIA
Â
Built in 1847 as a school; now houses art and community center with cultural programs.Thurs.-Sun. or by appt.
Â
DUTCHESS
BARDAVON?1869 OPERA HOUSE
Oldest continuously operating theater in the state, the Bardavon has hosted notables such as Mark Twain, Sarah Bernhardt, and Frank Sinatra. It presents world-class musicians, dancers, and theater troupes; serves as home of the Hudson Valley Philharmonic; and shows films (1928 Mighty Wurlitzertheater organ is played before movies).
Â
HOWLAND CULTURAL CENTER Beacon. 845-831-4988; www.howlandculturalcenter.org
Built in 1872 and once the home of the Howland Library, the site now hosts myriad cultural events and exhibitions. Exhibitions open Thurs.-Sun. Building available for rentals.
Â
RHINEBECK CENTER FOR PERFORMING ARTS Rhinebeck. 845-876-3088; www.centerforperformingarts.org.
Founded in 1987, a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing hands-on arts and theatre experience for all ages.Open year-round.
Â
RICHARD B. Fisher Center at Bard College Annandale-on-Hudson. 845-758-7900; www.fishercenter.bard.edu
Designed by Frank Gehry, the center houses two theatres, four rehearsal studios for dance, theatre, and music.
Â
ORANGE
Â
BODLES OPERA HOUSE
Former carriage factory now hosts musicians playing blues, bluegrass, folk, jazz, rock, pop, and country. Dinner and drinks available. (There is a food minimum most concert nights.) Vaudeville/cabaret shows on Saturdays.
Â
EISENHOWER HALL THEATRE United States Military Academy, West Point. 845-938-4159; www.ikehall.com
America’s second-largest theater (after Radio City Music Hall) presents Broadway touring companies and many other performances. Art Gallery. Riverside Café.
Â
LYCIAN CENTRE Sugar Loaf. 845-469-2287
The 668-seat theatre, which opened in 1993, produces about 35 shows per year. Home to the Kings Theatre Company.
Â
THE PARAMOUNT THEATRE
Musical, theatrical performances; children’s workshops.
Â
RENSSELAER
Architecturally and acoustically superb Victorian-era performance space; National Historic Landmark. Has hosted most of world’s notable performers since opening in 1875. The 1,250-seat theater continues as venue for top-flight musicians; home of Albany Symphony Orchestra and Troy Chromatic Concerts.
Â
ULSTER
Opened in 1927 as vaudeville/movie palace, UPAC’s 1,500-seat Broadway Theater is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Presents musicians, dancers, theater, and circus acts.
Â
CLOSE ENOUGH
CARAMOOR CENTER FOR MUSIC & THE ARTS Katonah. 914-232-5035, ext. 221 (tours), 914-232-1252 (box office); www.caramoor.org
Celebrating its 62ndanniversary, this Mediterranean-style mansion houses fine, decorative arts spanning 1,000 years. 100 acres of grounds. Summer musical performances held in two outdoor theaters.
Â
PARAMOUNT CENTER FOR THE ARTS Peekskill. 914-739-2333; www.paramountcenter.org
Recently celebrated its 75th anniversary. Cultural arts center with music, dance, theater, film, children’s shows in 1,024-seat restored theater. First-run American and foreign films. Gallery with art exhibits; children’s theater programs.
Â
PROCTORS THEATRE Schenectady. 518-346-6204; www.proctors.org
Built as a vaudeville house in 1926 (it once hosted the likes of George Burns and Red Skelton), Proctors now presents touring Broadway productions as well as opera companies and symphony orchestras.
Â
WESTCHESTER BROADWAY THEATRE Elmsford. 914-592-2222; www.broadwaytheatre.com
Longest running year-round Equity theatre in
