Playhouse Stage Company announced this week that it has reached an agreement with the City of Cohoes to extend its management of the historic Cohoes Music Hall into the foreseeable future.
Following a successful initial five-year management term, the City has approved a new fifteen-year extension, ensuring that Playhouse Stage will continue overseeing the operations, programming, and stewardship of the beloved Spindle City venue through at least 2040.
At their April 22 meeting, the Cohoes Common Council voted unanimously to authorize Mayor Bill Keeler’s administration to execute the fifteen-year contract extension proposed by the Playhouse.
Since assuming management in 2019, Playhouse Stage Company has significantly expanded the Music Hall’s offerings, presenting a wide range of high-quality theatrical productions, concerts, school-time shows, stand-up comedy, and special events.
Under the Playhouse’s leadership, the venue has seen an increase of nearly double the events presented annually, achieved notable growth in attendance, seen improvements to its facilities, and has fostered greater community engagement. The Playhouse also operates the Playhouse Stage Studios rehearsal and arts education space just two blocks from Cohoes Music Hall on Remsen Street.
Cohoes Mayor Bill Keeler praised the partnership, saying, “Playhouse Stage Company has been an asset to Cohoes, breathing new life into the Music Hall to make our city a cultural destination, all the while saving significant taxpayer dollars compared to past Hall management agreements. They achieved exactly what they promised when we signed our initial agreement five years ago, and we are excited to see what the next fifteen years will bring under their leadership.”
We are deeply honored that Mayor Keeler and the Cohoes Common Council have confidence in our vision and stewardship of this extraordinary space. Cohoes Music Hall is a historic gem, and we are thrilled to continue bringing world-class performances and vibrant arts experiences to Capital Region audiences here for many years to come. We’re just getting started.
Owen Smith, Producing Artistic Director of Playhouse Stage Company
Built in 1874, the Cohoes Music Hall is the fourth-oldest operating music hall in the United States and remains a cornerstone of Cohoes’ downtown revitalization efforts.
Playhouse Stage Company’s 37th Season of musical theatre continues this summer with three productions at Cohoes Music Hall: the premiere of the new musical The Waiting, from June 12-15; the classic Disney’s The Little Mermaid from July 22 through August 17; and the youth adaptation of the modern Disney hit, Moana Jr. from August 21-24.
The Playhouse will also, as always, present a free outdoor summer musical with Oklahoma! playing at Albany’s Park Playhouse in Washington Park from July 1-26, with an encore weekend at Guilderland Performing Arts Center in Tawasentha Park from July 30 through August 2.
For more information about Playhouse Stage Company and upcoming events at Cohoes Music Hall, visit thecohoesmusichall.org or playhousestage.org.
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