Hudson Valley Shakespeare Fest Says Goodbye to Boscobel

Charlie Semine in the 2019 HVSF production of Much Ado About Nothing.
Photo by Richard Termine

Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival takes its final bow at Boscobel before moving to a permanent new home nearby.

When the cast of Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival’s production of The Tempest takes its final bow on September 4, it will mark the end of an era in Hudson Valley theater. After 33 years and over 70 productions, it will be the not-for-profit repertory theater’s last performance at Boscobel House & Gardens.

In 2022, HVSF will have a new, permanent, year-round home on Route 9 in Philipstown, on the property that is surrounded by The Garrison. The 98-acre parcel of land was offered to the organization by philanthropist Christopher Davis, who owns the event space and golf course.

The feel of the new home will be familiar to HVSF fans: there are beautiful views of the Hudson River and Storm King Mountain, a sweeping lawn for pre-show picnics, and the special performer-audience connection under its iconic theater tent, which will be rebuilt as a permanent open-air structure.

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“It feels amazing to know that we will be able to build deep roots here in the community we have been serving and collaborating with for more than three decades,” says HVSF’s Managing Director Katie Liberman.

And just as Shakespeare’s plays started off at an outdoor theater, The Globe, before moving indoors to the Blackfriars Theatre, HVSF’s plans include a year-round indoor theater. Future additions might include a rehearsal barn, community pavilion, and artist lodging.

A permanent home will allow HVSF to continue growing their already deeply impactful education and engagement programming. They plan to expand upon the year-round programming with initiatives that support artists and provide space and resources for artistic creation. According to Artistic Director Davis McCallum, HVSF is in talks with local groups about collectively using The Garrison’s large indoor gathering space for meetings, gatherings, and special events.

Christopher Davis adds that HVSF “may be positioned to be one of the first carbon-neutral professional theaters in the country” with golf fairways evolving into native meadows, “allowing Hudson River air to cool the new theater tent.”


What’s Playing

There are three performance options at HVSF this season: one fully remote option and two live productions. The audio play of Macbeth is available for all audiences with a suggested donation (proceeds support HVSF’s educational programming).The Most Spectacularly Lamentable Trial of Miz Martha Washington will run from June 24–July 30 and The Tempest runs from Aug 5–Sept 4.

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