Community Theater at its Best: True West a Hit

By Max Oppen

HUNTER – The Catskill Mountain Foundation's Maude Adams Theater Hub's (MATH) latest community theater production, True West by the late Sam Shepard, was so successful that an extra performance had to be added. Initially scheduled for two nights, the show quickly sold out, prompting a third performance on Thursday, March 27. All shows were held at The Apex Lounge, part of Scribner's newest lodgings, The Rounds—a fittingly circular venue that perfectly suited the immersive "theater in the round" experience.

Directed by Jake Shipley, associate creative director for MATH and a rising talent in the local arts scene, the production drew crowds of nearly 60 per performance, including prominent guests such as Peter and Sarah Finn, founders of the Catskill Mountain Foundation (CMF), Scribner's owner Marc Chodock, and other CMF and Scribner's staff.

"I was excited that we had to add another night," Shipley said, reflecting on the show's strong demand. "It's a dream to see this kind of enthusiasm for live theater."

I attended Thursday's show and was immediately struck by the intimate staging. The actors at ground level and the audience encircling the performance space created a visceral, up-close experience unlike any I've seen before. The dynamic use of the round setting heightened the play's tension, making the audience feel like they were in the middle of the drama. And yes—for fans of domestic chaos—this is the play for toaster lovers.

Shipley noted the Friday and Saturday shows were even more intense, thanks partly to a few additional props. He also shared plans to launch "MATH ACTS," a scene study acting group and book club under the Maude Adams Theater Hub (MATH) umbrella, which will be open to the community.

The Cast

Leo Gilmore, who played Lee, shared a deeply personal connection to the play.

"Three decades! I've wanted to perform True West since my late friend Ryan Laden introduced me to it in April of 1996," Gilmore said. "We never got around to it, and Ryan tragically passed away in 2003. I've wanted to do it ever since, not only because it's a great play but to honor his memory."

Gilmore called working with Brian Flynn and Jacob Shipley "nothing short of magic." He praised the collaborative energy, especially the contributions of co-stars Elisabeth Henry and Phillip X Levine. He credited producer Amy Scheibe with orchestrating the complex logistics of the unique venue. "While I was originally skeptical of doing the show in the round, the final product was the best theater experience of my life."

A veteran of both music and theater, Gilmore holds a BA in Theater from Spring Hill College in Alabama. He first appeared locally in Yo Ho Ho! A Pirate's Christmas at the Tannersville Orpheum in 2013 and has since been active in MATH productions, including Into the Woods and The Rocky Horror Show.

Brian Flynn, who played Austin, Lee's brother, echoed the excitement.

"The theater in the round we created at Apex Lounge is an exceptional venue for an intense, intimate play," Flynn said. "The audience is in the story, rather than just watching it."

Flynn, a longtime member of the mountaintop theater community, shared a powerful personal connection to True West. "The fierce and complicated sibling rivalry spoke to me. I grew up just 18 months apart from my brother J.P., who was killed in the 1988 Pan Am 103 bombing over Lockerbie, Scotland," he said. "His death led me to discover theater. This performance is dedicated to my big brother and all who've lived with unfinished rivalries."

Flynn credited Gilmore for pushing him to take on the role finally and expressed deep gratitude for the entire cast and crew, primarily producer Amy Scheibe.

Elisabeth Henry, who portrayed the brothers' mother, called True West "a wild ride. No better pack of rascals to cover that ground with than Brian, Leo, Phillip, and Jake," she said. "It's a tough role for a woman, but the collaborative spirit made it joyful. Jake's intelligent, sensitive direction helped shape the entire shootin' match."

Henry also dedicated her performance to her dear friend and director, Chris Cade. "His wit, intelligence, and talent continue to inspire so many of us. Mountain Top theater is Chris Cade."

Phillip X Levine, a seasoned actor and stage manager with deep ties to NYC and the Catskills, brought gravitas to Saul, the Hollywood producer.

Levine's history with True West dates back to 2001, when he played Austin opposite Dechen Thurman (Uma Thurman's brother) just days after 9/11. "During those dark times, creating art helped me stay conscious and alive. These times feel similarly polarized, and I'm convinced that striving to be creative keeps our humanity intact."

A prolific contributor to MATH, Levine is also the poetry editor of Chronogram and president of the Woodstock Poetry Society. He dedicated his performance to his 20-year-old daughter Piper, "and all of her generation, in the hope they have the wondrous world they deserve."

Amy Scheibe, Creative Director for MATH, said,

"Jake Shipley moved to Tannersville a year ago to work on a comedy act. I knew instantly he had ambition and untapped potential due to living in NYC, which is overcrowded with young actors. Jake has impressively taken on challenge after challenge in the past twelve months, growing into responsibilities at incredible speed. Leading the cast of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory as Willy Wonka, directing three plays, and co-starring in Barefoot in the Park are just the front-facing work Jake does for MATH. On the admin side, he has also taken on the responsibilities of securing rights, stepping in when needed on tech, teaching after-school classes at Hunter Tannersville Central School District, and co-founding an acting workshop.

True West was a joy to produce, and we couldn't have done it without Jade Sinskul at Escape Hospitality and the great people at Fellow and CMF. We love finding unusual places to create theater. Still, the more traditional avenues like The Little Mermaid at the Orpheum over the 4th of July weekend are equally crucial to growing our community theater performances and audiences.

The Director

Jake Shipley, just 23 years old, is already making waves in the local arts scene. American Academy of Dramatic Arts graduate, he first read True West as a student and disliked it—because he saw too much of himself in the characters. Revisiting the play for this production, he fell in love with it.

"As much as I'm an actor and director, I'm just the youngest of three brothers," Shipley said. "I wanted to capture that descent into our former selves that happens when adult siblings come home to play, and thought the intimacy of a round stage was the perfect place to do it."

He dedicated the production to his parents, Nan and Neal Shipley, and described his move to the area as serendipitous. A few well-placed phone calls led him to Amy Scheibe, who helped him land both a job and a place to live in a matter of days.

Shipley and all the performers credited Peter and Sarah Finn of the Catskill Mountain Foundation for their ongoing support of arts and culture in the region.

A Community Effort

The production of True West was a collaboration between the Catskill Mountain Foundation, the Maude Adams Theater Hub, and Scribner's Catskill Lodge. Special thanks were given to Jade Sinskul, Carlos Bermudez, Marc Chodock, and the entire staff of Escape Hospitality and the Hunter Foundation.

This performance was not only a theatrical triumph but a testament to the rich pool of talent and collaborative spirit that defines mountaintop theater. With compelling performances, intimate staging, and passionate storytelling, True West reminded everyone in attendance just how vibrant and vital our local arts scene truly is.