Covid just can’t seem to leave us alone!

As Tuesday night approached, I was looking forward to seeing the Forestburgh Playhouse’s “Forbidden Broadway”. Always wanted to check it out. But Alas, on Sunday, an email came out from the Forestburgh Playhouse stating that “Forbidden Broadway” had to be canceled because three of the four performers contracted Covid and according to Actor’s Equity guidelines, they must be sidelined for ten days.

Hmmm… It’s Sunday and the show was to open two nights later. What is a producer to do?

Well, in true form to the age old adage “The show must go on”, Franklin Trapp and his resident company (who were not affected by Covid) spent the next two and a half days putting together a full two act musical revue. Yes, two and a half days! I’m sure this crew didn’t get but a handful of winks between Sunday and Tuesday.

The result? A wonderfully entertaining musical revue called “Celebrating Sondheim.” Twelve resident performers (including Mr. Trapp who opened the show with “Being Alive”) bring to life an overabundance of Stephen Sondheim’s classic tunes from shows like West Side Story, Sweeney Todd, Company, A Little Night Music, Anyone Can Whistle, Into The Woods and many others.

The production transitions quickly through this array of favorites with the actors continually gliding in and out of the set. Music Director Chase Keesler is the constant onstage sentry at his piano and doing Sondheim proud with his keyboard magic. I have to say that the performers appeared rested and bright eyed for opening night. They punched out, cajoled and wooed these numbers the way they were meant to be presented. This was a monumental task and this group rose to the unbelievable challenge and did it!

I usually wouldn’t list everyone, but this team of 12 thespians performed the impossible and they deserve the recognition. They pulled off a “Miracle of the Forest” in less than 60 hours! I applaud you! Mike Bindeman, Collin Hancock, Justin Sudderth, Anthony Savino, Logan John, Jessi Kirtley, Skyler Sajewski, Bella Serrano, Maggie Likcani, Kelly Belarmino, Caroline Borio, and performer, director, producer Franklin Trapp who never even thought for a second that his Barn in the Woods would go dark for a week.

Yes, the show did go on!

“Celebrating Sondheim” will run through July 3. Tickets and info are available through the box office at (845) 794-1194 or online at fbplayhouse.org.