Hangar Theatre celebrates 50 years with a season of music, magic and mystery

The Hangar Theatre recently announced the start of rehearsals for its 2025 three-show Mainstage season, marking the 51st season and 50th birthday of the Ithaca arts organization.

Performances are underway for a lively, smile-inducing rendition of the popular musical “Million Dollar Quartet,” a rock ’n’ roll musical inspired by Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis and Carl Perkins with a book by Colin Escott and Floyd Mutrux. The production kicked off a diverse lineup of summer shows.

The Hangar Theatre, located at 801 Taughannock Blvd., produced its first fully realized performances in the summer of 1975 in a newly renovated theater space converted from a Works Progress Administration (WPA)-era airplane hangar — once an essential training ground for WWII pilots — on the shores of Cayuga Lake.

The project was community-driven from the start, led by Ithaca-area theater lovers aspiring to create a vibrant central arts campus for regional audiences and tourists alike. Now a year-round venue approaching its 51st season, the Hangar Theatre Company offers professional theatrical productions during an expansive and diverse summer season from June to August. In addition, it hosts local and national musical acts, community arts groups and events and educational programs off-season from September to May. 

Producing Artistic Director Shirley Serotsky has curated a roster of productions and artistic teams that combine skilled, experienced Tompkins County-based artists with exceptional out-of-town creatives to produce a dynamic series of engaging, entertaining and memorable performances that, Serotsky noted, “Are all about getting unstuck. The three shows, while very different in their styles and settings, are all about recognizing that something needs to change — and having the courage to implement that change.”

On Friday, Serotsky had a full day of rehearsals for “The Waitress,” which she is directing, as well as a photo shoot for the musical at Ithaca’s Lincoln Street Diner.

“If there’s a location in town that is thematically linked to the show, we’ve been reaching out and saying, ‘Can we do a photo shoot there?’” Serotsky said. “It’s a nice way to form a collaboration between two Ithaca institutions.”

“The Waitress,” based on the 2007 motion picture of the same name starring Keri Russell and directed by Adrienne Shelly, was transformed for the stage with a book by Jessie Nelson and music and lyrics by Sara Bareilles. The Hangar performances of the musical will take place July 10 to 19.

The musical tells the story of Jenna, a waitress and talented pie-baker, who is stuck in a small town and a troubled marriage. When life takes an unexpected turn, Jenna fears she may have to abandon her dream of opening a pie shop — until a nearby baking contest and the town’s handsome new doctor offer her the tempting possibility of a fresh start. Surrounded by her quirky crew of fellow waitresses and loyal customers, Jenna summons the secret ingredient she’s been missing all along — courage.

The current season will close with “Ms. Holmes & Ms. Watson, Apt. 2B,” by Lansing-born and Ithaca College-educated playwright Kate Hamill. A wacky and witty take on the Sherlock Holmes stories, the show reimagines the legendary detective duo as they solve crimes in contemporary society. 

The Hangar Theatre has a long history of creating and presenting performances of exceptional quality while teaching and mentoring the next generation of theater artists. It was established at the tail end of the regional theater movement, when communities started their own theaters with paid directors and actors, as opposed to community theaters, where everyone involved volunteered their time. 

The Hangar aims to inspire the community with work and classes that enrich, entertain and enlighten.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, performances were held outdoors; the theater still holds its KIDDSTUFF shows outside because that worked out so well for young children.

“We found it’s a much more welcoming and free atmosphere,” Serotsky said. It doesn’t go completely dark, the kids can walk around if they need to, and parents don’t have to worry as much about whether or not their young child is able to sit through a whole show.”

The next upcoming KIDDSTUFF show is “The Velveteen Rabbit.” Adapted from the classic children’s book, “The Velveteen Rabbit” is a joyous celebration of imagination, friendship, and the power of a child’s love. In this innovative take on the timeless story, an ensemble of actors bring both the playroom and the great outdoors to life with energy, creativity, and theatrical magic. Performances are July 11, 12 and 13. 

“There are just three actors telling the whole story, and there’s a real sense of magic to it,” Serotsky said. “That’s something we typically look for, especially in our KIDSTUFF shows. You don’t need much to make a story. It’s not like it’s high-budget, but it’s a lot about imagination and creativity, and that’s where my theater roots lie.”  

This 50th Birthday Mainstage lineup, paired with a four-show KIDDSTUFF Theatre for Young Audiences series, epitomizes what the Hangar does best: bringing to life compelling stories in creative ways by maximizing a uniquely immersive space and the talents and skills of exceptional performers, musicians, designers, directors, artists and technicians.

The Hangar Theatre is committed to making theater accessible to the entire community through its Pay What You Will (PWYW) program. Patrons may pay what they can afford to see any show of their choice in the Mainstage and KIDDSTUFF series. PWYW is possible thanks to the generosity of Mainstage PWYW sponsor Schlather, Stumbar, Parks & Salk, LLP and KIDDSTUFF Free and Subsidized ticket sponsor Wegmans Food Market.