Dates: 10/16/2026 - 11/14/2026 Brooklyn Premiere
📍 Theatre: Old Stone House
Brooklyn Tavern Theater
336 Third St, Brooklyn, NY 11215
Brooklyn, NY 11215
Tickets: $20–$40
Cast Spotlight
America is turning 250. But you’ve been told the wrong story.
You thought Hamilton and Washington won the American Revolution? Nope! Meet Rip Van Winkle and a spirited bunch of New Yorkers armed with mugs of ale, ghost stories, songs, and seemingly impossible ideas.
Impossible But True is an immersive tavern musical that brings Washington Irving’s legendary characters together with the people, politics, humor, and revolutionary spirit of colonial New York. In celebration of America’s 250th anniversary, the show returns in 2026 with new songs, new cast members, and performances in historic New York City settings.
The 2026 cast features Anthony Shepard as Rip Van Winkle, Laura Bright as Rebecca Van Winkle, Victoria Underhillas Ripje/Judy, Jack Kehoe as Ben/Jonathan Doolittle, Shelby O’Brien as Jenny/Dame Rachel Vedder, Ray Kao as Nicolaus Vedder/Reverend William Gansevoort/Henrick Hudson, Cameron Reese as Hubert Oosterhout, Antonio Loyaas Brom Dutcher, and Nicole Goldstein as Dame Anna Van Onderdonk.
250 years later, come laugh, sing, raise a glass—and see how they hilariously overthrew their king.
Book, Music & Lyrics by Dan Furman
Directed by Joe Castinado
Additional Lyrics by Mary-Liz McNamara
A Brooklyn Tavern Theater Production
2026 Performances:
Old Stone House, Brooklyn — October 16, 17, 24, 25 & 30
Fraunces Tavern, Manhattan — November 8
Maple Grove Cemetery, Queens — November 14
“However, what makes this show refreshing and exciting is that its musical score is full of enjoyable songs – including one, in which the audience is invited to participate in a sing-along – and funny dialogue that keeps the audience engaged and delighted.”
Anthony J. Piccione for Onstage Blog
“Impossible But True revives the age-old story of Rip Van Winkle, once as iconic as the Headless Horseman. But the truth is, after researching the backdrop and substance of the play and familiarizing myself with it, I can’t imagine why the story would fade from the American contemporary canon.”
Chris Struck for Cabaret Scenes
“One couldn’t be blamed for having low expectations, given the setting, but one would be happily mistaken. This is a thoroughly delightful cast, in a very well staged production.”
Ken Coughlin for Outer Stage
Anthony Michael Shepard is ecstatic to make his debut with the Brooklyn Tavern Theater! He has appeared in Safe and Sound at the NYTF, Mikey & Steve Face the Municipal Court at The Brick Theater, Phases of You at The Tank Theater, and A Night of Acoustics at Green Room 42. He is a proud member of the Haus of Haha. Anthonymichaelshepard.com Insta: Anthony.shepard TikTok: blackboysong
aura Bright (she/her) is thrilled to return to Impossible But True! Performance credits include The Joe Hill Revival and Crucible, PA. Music directing credits include Pride & Prejudice: A New Musical (SheNYC), Urinetown, Shrek Jr, and Newsies Jr. Next up, she’ll be performing throughout the NY/NJ area with the Yuletide Carolers! B.M. Vocal Performance, NYU Steinhardt. @laurabright17.
Jack Kehoe is a NYC-based performer, musician, and teacher. Jack frequently jumps between operatic, MT, and pop styles of singing. Recent credits include Hänsel und Gretel (The Witch), Cosi fan tutte (Gugliermo), Pirates of Penzance (The Pirate King), and he has worked Off-Broadway at The Theater Center on Wesley (Zane).
helby O’Brien is thrilled to be returning to Brooklyn Tavern Theater in Impossible but True. Shelby received her BFA in Acting from Oklahoma City University, as well as her master’s in arts administration. Her credits include Bonhoeffer: Last Days (Off-Broadway), Jekyll and Hyde, Lowball, a feature film (Eden Productions) and a few shows with Phantasmagoria Orlando.
Ray recently completed a Masters in Cultural and Creative Industries at King’s College London where he researched Asian American theater representation and developed his passion for advocacy. Recently, he was seen onstage in the national tour of Avatar the Last Airbender in Concert.
Cameron Reese is a Brooklyn based actor and writer. As a performer he toured the country with Chamber Theater's "Encore!" and rocked Off-Broadway as Cap Size in Tinytanic at the Soho Playhouse. He is co-artistic head of The Hearty Meal Theater Company.
Antonio is proud to be a part of Impossible But true. Previous Credits Include Beast in Beauty in the Beast, (off-broadway), Roderigo in Babes in Toyland, Sir Robin in Spamalot, Charlemagne in Pippin, and Buddy in Elf the Musical. Antonio loves Pokemon, old video games and Vinyl records.
Nicole Eve Goldstein is an NYC-based crossover artist and self-proclaimed “Quingenue” (quirky ingenue). Most recent credits include: Phoebe in A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder and Phoebe in As You Like It at the Utah Shakespeare Festival. Nicole has performed at Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, Radio City Music Hall, Madison Square Garden, Off-Broadway and internationally in Denmark and Italy. Nicole received her Bachelor of Music from Oberlin Conservatory, as well as a graduate certificate from the Professional Conservatory of Musical Theatre at The New York Film Academy.
Victoria Underhill Musical Theater Singer, Actor and Dancer•New York, NY Female•She/Her Experienced Seasoned pro with multiple credits About Me Victoria "Tori" Underhill is a 13-year-old NYC-based mezzo-soprano/soprano with commanding vocals and magnetic stage presence. She's appeared twice Off-Broadway in Impossible But True (Brooklyn Tavern Theater), performed at 54 Below's Futurefest showcase for rising theater talent, and starred in a national TV campaign. Notable roles include Brooke (Legally Blonde Jr.), Little Red (Into the Woods Jr.), and Sonny (Xanadu Jr.). Trained by elite NYC vocal coaches and a registered NY Child Performer,
A vibrant cast brings Washington Irving’s classic tale – peppered with clever nods to history – to life. BROOKLYN TAVERN THEATER revives Dan Furman’s immersive musical event, IMPOSSIBLE BUT TRUE!
Brooklyn Tavern Theater will revive Dan Furman's immersive musical event, IMPOSSIBLE BUT TRUE. This original 'tavern musical' will tour the Brooklyn and New York areas with an opening run at the historic The Old Stone House, 336 3rd Street, Brooklyn, NY @ 7:30 pm on October 14 & 15; 28 & 29.
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Impossible But True Old Stone House (10/16-11/14) |
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The Packaging Tree The Packaging Tree (8/25-8/25) |
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International Party Girl Brooklyn Art Haus (10/20-10/20) |
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Jen Howard Jazz On Main (10/09-10/09) |
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Broadway Close Up: William Finn Merkin Hall at Kaufman Music Center (10/26-10/26) |
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Play Without Ceasing Bechdel Project (11/07-11/07) |
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Light As Air Tenet Vocal Artists (5/08-5/08) |
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KRAMER/FAUCI St. Ann's Warehouse (9/27-10/24) |
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Show Up, Kids! Interactive Family Comedy The Rat NYC (10/03-11/28) |
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Still Life with Dowland and Britten Ascension Episcopal (10/16-10/16) |
