History of Shows
2022-2024
Lyrics by Betina Hershey. Music by Sunny Knable, Melinda Faylor, Betina Hershey. Book by Garden Players Playwriting Class.
May 2023 Switch It Off
Book and Lyrics by Betina Hershey. Music by Sunny Knable
Open A Door – The Scooches & Garden Players In Concert
Sunday, January 21st – 3pm and 5pm
Garden Players professional musicians, current students, and alumni gather to put on an inspiring concert full of originals along with The Scooches, a top NYC band led by Betina Hershey.
Tuesday classes performed at 5pm.Watch it now.
The Most Epic Garden Players Concert Ever
A 20-Year Anniversary Celebration
In The News: Pre-Show Article, Queens Gazette Review
Watch the Video
2021
Tree Of Answers – Online Mini-Musical
By Betina Hershey and Garden Players students
2021
Stuck! – An Online Musical
By Betina Hershey and Garden Players students
2020
So Far From Home
By Betina Hershey, Gwynne Watkins, Sunny Knable
YouTube (Songs & Monologues Adapted during COVID-19)
2019
Magic It Up
By Betina Hershey and Sunny Knable
Playbill
In The News
YouTube Clips: Writer Interviews; Magic It Up Song
License
Get Us Out Of Fearland – Album Release – Banjo Nickaru & Western Scooches (now known as The Scooches)
Original Songs, Vocals & Guitar by Betina Hershey; Guitar and Banjo by Nick Russo #2 Album (under John Prine) on the International Folk DJ Charts
Bandcamp
Spotify
Apple Music
2018
Switch It Off!
Book and Lyrics by Betina Hershey. Music by Sunny Knable.
Playbill
In The News
YouTube Clip
License
Very Next Thing – Banjo Nickaru & Western Scooches (now known as The Scooches) Original Songs, Vocals & Guitar by Betina Hershey; Guitar and Banjo by Nick Russo
2017
Your Turn, A Superhero Musical! – written for groups
Book and Lyrics by Betina Hershey. Music by Sunny Knable.
Playbill
In The News
YouTube Clip
License
The Very Next Thing – Hot Jazz Jumpers Original Songs, Vocals & Guitar by Betina Hershey; Guitar and Banjo by Nick Russo London Times, Downbeat, and more excellent reviews!
Bandcamp
Spotify
Apple Music
2016
What If? – written for groups
Book and Lyrics by Betina Hershey. Music by Sunny Knable & Betina Hershey.
Playbill
In The News
YouTube Clip
2015
Lemontales Revival
Playbill
In The News
2014
Space Pirates Revival
By Betina Hershey, Denver Casado and Gwynne Watkins.
In The News June Review, May Announcement
YouTube (NYC CHildren’s Festival)
License
2013
The Most Epic Birthday Party Ever
Lyrics by Betina Hershey. Music by Denver Casado. Book by Hershey & Casado.
In The News
YouTube (NYC Children’s Festival)
License
2012
The Grunch
Lyrics by Betina Hershey. Music by Denver Casado. Book by Hershey & Casado. Additional Material by Brian Dawson
In The News
YouTube (NYC Children’s Festival)
License
2011
Musicville (Revival) & Musicville High
Lyrics by Betina Hershey. Music by Denver Casado. Book by Hershey & Casado.
In The News
YouTube (NYC Children’s Festival)
License
2010
We Are Monsters
Lyrics by Betina Hershey. Music by Denver Casado. Book by Hershey & Casado.
In The News
YouTube Festival Clip
License
2009
America’s Top Ensemble
Lyrics by Betina Hershey. Music by Denver Casado. Book by Hershey & Casado.
2008
Behind The Scenes
Idea by Carol Hershey. Lyrics by Betina Hershey. Music by Denver Casado. Book by B. Hershey, Casado & Gwynne Watkins.
2007
Gettin’ Married Album
Music, Lyrics & Arrangements: Betina Hershey Russo & Nick Russo.
2007
Space Pirates
Lyrics by Hershey & Watkins. Book by Gwynne Watkins. Music by Denver Casado.
YouTube (NYC CHildren’s Festival)
License
2006
Bounce to the Wave
Choreography & Lyrics by Hershey. Music by Steve Sweeting. Performed on the Wagner College Mainstage by Wagner College students.
2006
Musicville
Lyrics by Hershey. Book by Casado & Hershey. Music by Denver Casado.
YouTube (NYC Children’s Festival)
License
2005
Finding Home
Book & Lyrics by Hershey. Music by Eddie Guttman.
2005
The Big Leap
Book & Lyrics by Hershey. Music by Denver Casado.
2005
Finding The Wonder
Lyrics by Hershey. Music by Denver Casado. Book by Gwynne Watkins. Performed at BAD Musical Theatre Festival with Garden Players actress Ioana Preda Buburuzan
2004
Lemontales
Book, Music, Lyrics by Betina Hershey. Assistance from Matt Gough.
The Gardens Players began as a community theater group including adult performers in 1916. We do not have a complete listing of previous performances. Here are just a few. If you were in or know of another show that was performed by The Gardens Players, please send us an email with the information.
Disney Spectacular in 2003
Directed by Betina Hershey and Jeff Edmond
Artistic and Musical Director Susan Fischoff
Peter Pan in 2002
Starring current Artistic Director Betina Hershey as Peter Pan Directed by Jeff Edmond
Artistic and Musical Director Susan Fischoff
Ants’ Hillvania in 2000
Directed by Jeff Edmond
Artistic and Musical Director Susan Fischoff
Prunella in 1922 (performed at the Tea Garden)
The Romancers in 1916 (performed at the Tea Garden)