Epic Reunion Concert June 23

Honoring Our Alumni and Their Journey

We are thrilled to invite you to join us for an extraordinary evening as we celebrate the alumni and supporters who have made Garden Players the vibrant community it is today. This special concert marks 20 years of original musicals under the direction of Betina Hershey.

A Labor of Love: Betina Hershey’s Journey

Betina Hershey’s love for directing, teaching, and writing original musicals has been the heart and soul of Garden Players. Betina recalls, “I said I’d try it for 5 years to see how I liked it. 20 years later, I’m still thrilled with the theater we create together!” Her dedication is truly inspiring, having even turned down a national Broadway tour to nurture our theater family.

Alumni Achievements: Making Their Mark

Over the years, our alumni have flourished, becoming performers, writers, composers, poets, and innovators in various fields. They are out in the world making positive impacts, and we couldn’t be prouder!

Special Guests: Honoring Our Composers and Contributors

We are excited to welcome back composers and directors who have been integral to our success:

• Denver Casado: Flying in from California, Denver is the founder of Beat by Beat Press, which has published five of our original musicals. He and Betina met at the BMI Lehman Engel Musical Theater Writing Workshop, along with bookwriter Gwynne Watkins, in 2003.
• Sunny Knable: Collaborator of 10 years, composer of operas, classical music, musicals, and more.
• Melinda Faylor: Talented composer and current classroom pianist and musical director.
• Eddie Guttman: Pianist from Marymount Manhattan College, composer of Finding Home.
• Jeff Edmond: Director and Choreographer who brought Betina into Garden Players’ community theater as Peter Pan.
• Betina Hershey: We will celebrate Betina for all the musicals she has brought to life.

All of the above have contributed their gifts to our productions.

We will also honor and acknowledge the countless volunteers and designers who have supported us, and the previous music director, Susan Fischoff, who asked Betina to take up the mantle.

A Message from Denver Casado

Denver Casado shares his excitement: “Working with Garden Players was a formative experience. I’m thrilled to reunite and celebrate the legacy we’ve built together.” Denver’s Beat by Beat Press has published several of our beloved musicals, including “The Grunch,” “The Most Epic Birthday Ever,” “Musicville,” “We Are Monsters,” and “Space Pirates.”