Assemblywoman Jaffee to Present $125,000 to Elmwood Community Playhouse

Elmwood Community Playhouse, Inc. has announced that it has secured $125,000 in Capital Funding from New York State Assemblywoman Ellen Jaffee (D-Suffern) for improvements to their 99-seat theater, lobby and backstage.

Assemblywoman Jaffee, a longtime supporter of the arts in Rockland County and art enrichment in our local communities, will present the check for $125,000.00 to Elmwood Community Playhouse Vice President, Lisa Spielman on January 18, 2019, prior to the 8:00 p.m. opening night performance of Disgraced.

"Community theatre enriches the lives of those who participate at every level from directors, and producers, actors and audience members to the children who take performing arts classes," said Assemblywoman Jaffee. "If that's not enough, research shows that the nonprofit arts and culture industry is an economically sound investment. It attracts audiences, spurs business development, supports jobs and generates government revenue. That's why funding Capital Projects in the State Budget is so critical to improving our communities and our quality of life."

"Throughout its 72-year history", Spielman said, "Elmwood Playhouse has grown its audience with innovative takes on popular plays and musicals; its perspective with cutting edge works; its progress with original shows and readings; its openness by featuring non-traditional performers; and its reach by encouraging members to stretch artistically. Our facilities have grown too, with a more welcoming lobby and hospitality, improved accessibility, more comfortable seating and added rehearsal space. Assemblywoman Jaffee's generosity and the CCAP grant program will help Elmwood extend that growth into the future."

Disgraced, written by Ayad Akhtar and directed by Omar Kozarsky, continues Elmwood's commitment to presenting works that embrace racial, ethnic and cultural diversity. In this Pulitzer Prize winning drama Amir Kapoor, a successful Pakistani-American lawyer, is rapidly moving up the corporate ladder while distancing himself from his cultural roots. When he and his artist wife Emily host a dinner party, a friendly conversation escalates into something far more damaging.

Disgraced runs January 18 through February 9, 2019, at Elmwood Playhouse, 10 Park Street, Nyack, NY 10960. For reservations, information or directions, call the Box Office at (845) 353-1313, or visit www.elmwoodplayhouse.com.