The Maude Adams Theater Hub Little Mermaid

The Maude Adams Theater Hub (MATH) returns to the Orpheum Performing Arts Center this 4th of July weekend for its annual summer musical theater performance. This year, the MATH crew will present Disney’s The Little Mermaid. Now in its fourth year, MATH’s summer shows have only grown. They have always been ambitious undertakings— the first, 2022’s Into the Woods, included a talented cast tackling tricky songs and the large hand of a felled giant as a prop, but this year sees the talented crew at MATH pushing even further. According to Creative Director Amy Scheibe, there will be 48 actors on stage, ranging in age from 3 to over 70 years old. “We had so many talented people audition that we double-cast the lead parts and added a Sunday matinee,” says Scheibe. (The casts are split up as “Thingamabob Cast” and “Dinglehopper Cast”). The cast and crew hail from all around the surrounding locales, including Windham, Lexington, Tannersville, Palenville, Hunter, Haines Falls, Elka Park, Phoenicia, Woodstock, East Durham, New Paltz, Hudson, Athens, Jewett, Shokan, and beyond. “In the tradition of true Community Theater, we draw from a multitude of professions,” says Scheibe. That includes “shopkeepers, lawyers, doctors, students, a Catholic Deacon,” and other professionals. “Everyone has a day job, and one of our Ariels is a pre-med major with a concentration in Organic Chemistry, the other a professional singer.” In addition to holding down regular jobs, some cast members contribute to other aspects of the production. Glenda Lauten, for example, curated the show’s 50 wigs, is playing one of the Ursulas, and works at Van Dusen’s in Lexington by day. “You honestly could do an entire story on Glenda, she’s that interesting,” says Scheibe. “Likewise, our set designer, Pete Preston, is a recently retired middle school science teacher who also paints stunning pieces of art. Literally everyone in this production has a great story.” 

Part of MATH’s growth has stemmed from a pure love for theater, a passion that has proven infectious and drawn more performers into the fold. That passion, paired with unmistakable talent, has also drawn larger audiences; a fourth show, a Sunday matinee, has been added for the first time this year, as the performances frequently sell out to enthusiastic crowds on the mountaintop. Bigger crowds have led to the availability of more resources for productions, expanding the possibilities on stage with better props, costumes, and what Amy Scheibe calls “other wonderful embellishments.” A 2024 grant from New York State facilitated upgrades to the Orpheum itself, providing MATH’s frequent home with some much-needed technical improvements. 

MATH’s Disney’s The Little Mermaid run of four shows starts next week, starting July 3rd, and closing on July 6th (there is no show on July 4th). For more information and to purchase tickets, visit www.maudeadamstheaterhub.org.