Breaking News
Local news

Long Live the Barn: Millbrook Playhouse hosts special Ovation Gala, honors supporters and raises funds

By LAURA JAMESON 8 min read

MILL HALL -- Millbrook Playhouse's board of directors, volunteers, former cast members and its Youth Ensemble pulled out all of the stops for its first-ever Ovation Gala this weekend.

The event, which also served as a fundraiser for the beloved barn theatre, showcased many of Millbrook's alumni and shined a spotlight on those who have made its 63 years possible.

The event kicked off on Saturday night on the Poorman Courtyard with a pre-show and cocktail hour.

Gone were the typical seating arrangements, and instead -- spread out amongst tables high and low -- were couches and lounge areas for attendees to enjoy a drink and snack while listening to music by Eastern Standards.

The cocktail hour followed by a Taste of the Town Reception where everyone had the opportunity to enjoy a grazing experience featuring a variety of food from local businesses. Attendees could also take part in a silent auction and interactive games.

All this led to the Main Stage Celebration.

The celebration was co-hosted by Millbrook Playhouse Alum Marc de la Concha and Adam Fox, who recently performed in the Poorman Cabaret in the two-man show "Gutenberg: The Musical!"

The pair were joined in an opening number by various returning cast members and the Youth Ensemble before rolling into the first honoree of the night.

Board Member of the Year was awarded to Erla Mae Frederick for her decades of dedication to the playhouse. Prior to receiving her award, Frederick and the rest of the audience were treated to a musical number by Millbrook alumni Rachel Kern and Brandy Aguirre.

After receiving the award, Frederick reflected on her years with the playhouse and just how grateful she is for the theatre.

"This is the best thing the community has to offer for theatre, of course, and I hope you're here for many more years," she said. "And I will plan to be here as long as I can get here."

Prior to honoring its Patrons of the Year, de la Concha and Fox entertained audiences during a brief live auction which netted more funds for the playhouse.

The inaugural Patrons of the Year for 2026 were Stephanie and Joe Waltz and Maribeth Hanna and Lenny Long.

Prior to the Waltz's being awarded the honor, they were treated to a performance by Brandy Aguirre.

Joe spoke on behalf of himself and his wife, thanking the many people who have made Millbrook a success over six decades.

"Of course all we've done, Steph and myself, is be enthralled by the incredible talent and energy that is exhibited night in and night out, every single summer on this stage and downstairs in the cabaret," Joe said. He went on to point out it isn't just the actors who make that happen, it's the technicians, the carpenters, the sound and lighting designers and more.

"Thank you to everyone for this great honor, and to quote my wife, 'Long live the barn,'" he said in closing.

Next to be honored were the Longs, who were treated to a special performance from their daughter and Millbrook alum, Erin Krellenstein Long, along with Aguirre, de la Concha, Fox and the Youth Ensemble. The group performed Do-Re-Mi, followed by a solo performance by Erin of "The Sound of Music."

Maribeth spoke on behalf of her and her husband in thanking Millbrook for the honor of being named Patron of the Year.

She said, ever since Erin was cast in The Sound of Music in 2003, "we got to go on a ride that's been unbelievable. I love this place and I know you all love it just as much."

She echoed much of what Joe said, noting it was an honor to be in such good company amongst other awardees.

"We are so blessed in this community to have this with us. The professionals that bless this stage and the one downstairs and have the influence on our children," she said. "It's just phenomenal.

Following another brief intermission featuring a performance by local Millbrook alum Nicholas Carroll and interactive games, it was time for the next award -- Visionary Impact Award.

Following a musical tribute by Steve Aguirre, awardee and longtime Millbrook supporter Thomas "Doc" Sweitzer had the opportunity to speak about his roots with the playhouse.

He said his appreciation began with his older brother and longtime Express Publisher, Charlie Ryan, growing up. Ryan served as Millbrook's chair for many years and helped raise the funding to purchase the rights for Broadway musicals to be brought to the barn in its early days.

"What he taught me was, one person can make a difference. Here it is, 60 years later and we have these wonderful actors off to great places, kids are getting great theatre help. And that's because (Charlie) wouldn't quit," he said.

Sweitzer emphasized it was the duty of those gathered on Saturday, and those in the community, to continue to support the vision his brother and many involved in Millbrook have had for the theatre to continue its success.

"It is all of our duty to make this place work. Dig into your pockets deeper. Buy some tickets. Charlie always said, 'butts in seats.' Buy season passes. Buy them for someone who can't afford them. Buy them for kids. You aren't going to miss a meal. But it's going to make such a difference," he said.

"Economically this really helps the town. We get entertainment out of it and we give kids something to dream for and it changes lives. It's dollar for dollar the best buck you can put in this town," he concluded.

The final honoree on Saturday night was Rose Ann Yarnarella who received the Spirit of Millbrook Award.

Following a performance by Kern, Yarnarella spoke briefly about her decades working with Millbrook, particularly showcasing her ironing skills in the costume department.

Yarnarella started out by emphasizing how wonderful the Ovation Gala was.

"I love this. I think the people that set this up and did all of the work... I thank them. Because it's something we've never done at Millbrook before," she said.

Yarnarella reflected on the life she's built within the Millbrook community.

"It's true that I've built a life here and I don't know where I would have been without this place," she said. "I have a lot of people to thank and, even though I can't mention them all, I'm going to thank them for helping me along with what I love to do... which is iron clothes!"

"It's been wonderful here, everybody appreciates me, they respect me and who could ask for more? To have young people around all the time singing and dancing," she said, thanking Millbrook for the honor.

The night concluded with a grand finale performance featuring the Youth Ensemble and cast members before guests were invited to enjoy a closing nightcap reception in the courtyard.

Following Saturday's event, Millbrook Playhouse Artistic Director David Leidholt said it felt incredible to pull off such a large-scale event.

"It was a complete group effort driven by our extraordinary Gala Committee, who poured countless volunteer hours into making the night seamless," Leidholt told The Express. "The spark came from Marc de la Concha, who drove eight hours to celebrate the 20th anniversary of his first season at Millbrook. We brainstormed together, and the Ovation Gala was born."

Leidholt thanked the events sponsors, professional cast, Youth Ensemble and the following key event organizers: Fabre Sanders and Kerri Boyle (food donors), Amy Downs and Carrie Walker (basket and auction donors), Lynzee James (decor mastermind), and board members Amy Corbett, Michele Long, Betsy Bowman, Michele Hanna and Katie Kleckner, who did everything from donating to weeding the gardens to make the grounds shine.

He also thanked Eastern Standards for their performance during the pre-show festivities in the courtyard.

"Most importantly, thank you to our honorees, whose decades of dedication are what the night was truly about, and to everyone who attended," he said.

Leidholt said Managing Director David Gritzner is still tallying the final numbers to see what funding was raised for the barn, but noted the event is more than just its fundraising campaign.

"An event like this is just as vital for cultivating relationships and reminding people why Millbrook is so special," he said. "As a non-profit, keeping an organization of this size thriving requires donations, grants, ticket sales and volunteerism."

In offering perspective, Leidholt explained that operating costs, performance rights and royalties for the shows on their own can run $20,000 to $30,000 every single night for five shows.

"And that is before backing tracks or musicians, artist housing, transportation, payroll, or maintaining our historic barn," he added.

With the curtains drawn on the first-ever gala, Leidholt said it showcased how much Millbrook Playhouse belongs to the community.

"If there's one takeaway from the night, it's that Millbrook Playhouse belongs to this community. Seeing generations of performers, patrons and supporters in one room reminded us all why this barn has endured for over 60 years, and why its future is so bright," he said.

Starting at /week.