Catskill Community Players To Celebrate 50 years
By Liz Page
WORCESTER – Members of the Catskill Community Players have enjoyed telling a story from the stage for the past 50 years. Diane Stammel, of Stamford, has enjoyed that story for the past 48 years and is the one constant of the group since it first began its productions on the stage at South Kortright Central School.
The group will mark its 50th anniversary this year with some additional performances.
Looking back through old photos and playbills is nostalgic. The group was founded in 1975 with the purpose of "promoting and presenting theater in the community. Based in upstate New York, their membership is drawn from the communities of South Kortright, Hobart, Stamford, Jefferson, Delhi, Franklin, Oneonta and surrounding areas."
Stammel said they typically do two performances per year and now call the Wieting Theater in Worcester their home theater. Over their 50-year span they have done 20 musicals, seven variety reviews, two rehearsed stage readings and 57 plays. Their 58th is coming up April 25-27. A Crazy Little Cafe´Called Love is a comedy with romance, portraying a fast-paced day served up in a crazy little cafe. Productions take place at 7:30 p.m. April 25 and 26 with a 2 p.m. matinee on April 27. The Wieting Theater is located at 168 Main St., Worcester.
Stammel carries much of the group's history in her head. Their first production was "Life wih Father" and they have offered original productions, starting with "Hysterical, Historical America" and including "Mama Louisa's Ristorante" and "Catskill Canteen" to name a few. In 1998 they performed "Rexmere Varieties" to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Rexmere Hotel in Stamford. This week marked the 10th anniversary of the fire that claimed the iconic hotel.
Stammel gets a bit emotional when she recalls her ties to the group. "For me, the Catskill Community Players, has given me some dear, close friendships over the years. It has been fun to grow up together and play on stage together. I am hoping I don't age out from being cast. I really enjoy telling a story from the stage."
She recalls seeing "Fiddler on the Roof" when she was 17. "I remember them coming down through the audience and singing "Traditions" and I said, 'I want to do that'." Not in her wildest dreams did she think that 48 and half years later she would be doing it." She did not dream of a life on stage, but she is still doing it and enjoying it.
Perhaps the note to the audience on their 30-year celebration program explains why this group has continued for half a century.
"There have been many dedicated directors and production staff members who have put in countless hours preparing for and presenting each of these productions. Actors who have put in hours of rehearsal time and who have "gone on" with little sleep, or bouts of flu and colds, fought icy roads and eaten their meals on the run. All this has been done because of a love of performing and entertaining you - our audience. You are the sparks that light our fires. We thank you for your years of support. We hope to continue to entertain you for many years to come."
And certainly those words still ring true. The CCP does have a following and you can get on the list to be notified of casting and performances.
The group started its performances on the stage at SKCS, but have done a dinner theater at the St. John's Episcopal Church in Delhi and at Farrell Hall on the Delhi campus. Stammel said they have been at Weiting for nearly half their existence and praises the small local theater, which has been refurbished. "It is a beautiful theater and does feel like our home now. The Robinson-Broadhurst Foundation has helped with grants to refurbish a building that is more than 100 years old and was originally a theater, before becoming a library for a time before again becoming a theater. There is still a library in one corner of the building.
"It's a great old place," said Stammel. They usually play to a full house each day over the three-day run.
Stammel said they also have a following of patrons. Audiences enjoy seeing community members performing on stage.
Stammel describes them as a "friendly group" and chuckles a bit. "We really are very friendly and we are a very welcoming group," she said. "Most people like to act, but we have other talents. Some like to direct. I like to make costumes. Others work on the stage. There is more than acting for people to be a part of the group."
They take turns at the leadership roles and there is a good core of people involved who have been together for at least 25 years.
They have a Facebook Page or you can visit at catskillplayers.org.
The cast of “Fiddler on the Roof”, Catskill Community Players first full musical in October 1977.
This is from the Catskill Community Players October 2022 production of “Exhibit This!” Pictured from left are: Maria Johnson, Diane Stammel and Christine Johnson.
This is from the Catskill Community Players “Murder on the Orient Express”, performed Nov. 2024. Pictured, from left are: J Lentner, Emily Travisano, Jay Goldman, Kelsey Stearns, Nick Kocienienski, Becky Chien, Diane Stammel, Colleen Bunn, Sheila Ayres, Sebastian Griffiths
The Catskill Community Players Spring 2022 production of “Rumors” included, from left: back row - Mark Murphy, Ben Friedell, Charlie Reiman, Michael Tamburrino; seated - , Diana Friedell, Maria Johnson, J Lentner, Diane Stammel , Rhiannon LaCross
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