Brooke Schooley in Concert on Saturday Sept 23, 7 - 8:30pm.
Tickets $20 - Click above to Buy Now.

What’s this? Another performance space in Sullivan County? Grand Opening of "Arts Nest” on September 16th. “Arts Nest” will offer a large variety of entertainment year-round in a comfortable, friendly setting – a fun place for serious artists. Come with your friends, take a table, have a few drinks and small plates, while enjoying the performances.

Grand Opening of "The Nest” Kathy Geary & Pedro Boregaard, "Singer-Songwriters"
Saturday September 16, 2023. Doors open at 7pm | Performance starts at 8pm

Kathy Geary

“Arts Nest” will open with celebration featuring long-time DVO supporter and admired performer, Kathy Geary, singing her own songs from her album “Skyhigh” as well a few favorite tunes from her muse, Joni Mitchell.

Pedro Boregaard

And introducing, Pedro Boregaard, well-known in the area for his magnificent jewelry creations, but not known for his secret talent as a singer/songwriter. The secret is out, and his debut will help to celebrate the opening of this new, exciting, entertainment venue.


Brooke Schooley in Concert "Maddened By the Stars"
Saturday September 23, 2023. Performance from 7pm - 8:30pm

Brooke Schooley

Brooke Schooley will perform her one-woman show sharing classical, popular, and cabaret songs, and stories about losing one’s bearings. This super talent is not to be missed.


"Rokko and the Hat" Annie Hat and Rokko Jams
Saturday September 30, 2023. Doors open at 7pm Performance at 8pm

Annie Hat and Rokko Jams

Local celebrity, Annie Hat, and her longtime friend and collaborator, Rokko Jans, have been entertaining audiences since the 1970’s and still play regularly in Chicago. Now Sullivan County can enjoy their talents and unique styles as they perform original works and a selection of American Songbook classics.

The Arts Nest Gallery at the Delaware Valley Opera Center

The 'Arts Nest' is a haven for creativity and artistic expression in our community, and this event marks the beginning of a new era in our commitment to supporting local artists. We have curated a diverse collection of artworks that showcase the immense talent that resides right here in our region. From paintings and sculptures to photography and mixed-media pieces, there's something for everyone to appreciate and enjoy.

This Art Opening is not just an exhibition; it's a celebration. We will provide light refreshments and beverages to enhance your viewing experience. It's also a fantastic opportunity to meet and connect with fellow art enthusiasts, local artists, and members of our community who share a passion for the arts.

We believe that art has the power to inspire, transform, and unite communities, and we hope that you will be a part of this momentous occasion as we kickstart this exciting venture at the Delaware Valley Opera 'Arts Nest.'

Thank you for your continued support of the arts, and we look forward to sharing this remarkable evening with you. If you have any questions or need further information, please do not hesitate to contact [Contact Person] at [Contact Email] or [Contact Phone Number].

Let's celebrate the local artistic spirit together on September 17th from 4 - 6pm!

Warm regards,

Jodi Sibilia
Curator
Delaware Valley Opera 'Arts Nest'

A romp backstage of an opera house at the auditions as a general manager searches for the perfect singers for his new season.

A spoof exposing the sublime to the ridiculous of auditions written from personal experiences of Carol Castel and Nicholas Wuehrmann…. oh yes, and Mozart!

Talent, gorgeous music, vocal skill, politics, and characters more dramatic off stage than on — will all be represented. Don’t miss this one!

Carol Castel interview with Tim Bruno on Radio Catskill

August 21, 2023 - Listen to a live interview on WJFF Radio catskill with Delaware Valley Opera Artistic Director, Carol Castel as she discusses the current production "The Audition".

Delaware Valley Opera - The Audition Cast Aug 2023
Delaware Valley Opera - The Audition Cast Aug 2023

In 2022, River Rep Theatre presented, to great success, “Every Brilliant Thing”, a tour de force one-woman show about growing up with a mentally ill mother. The poignant, charming, and at times, painful, story was beautifully acted by Donna Jean Fogel and directed by Arthur Aulisi.

To kick off its 2023 season, River Rep will present the World premiere of the dystopian classic WE, opening Friday, July 28 at 7:00pm, with additional performances on Saturday, July 29 at 7:00 pm and Sunday, July 30 at 2:00 pm. Based on the banned book that inspired 1984, and hailed by Margaret Atwood (The Handmaid’s Tale) as “one of the most important dystopias of the twentieth century”, Yevgeny Zamyatin’s WEtransports us to the futuristic totalitarian society of OneState, ruled over by the all-powerful “Benefactor”. A visionary masterpiece of wit and black humor, WEis also a powerful, exciting, and vivid work of science fiction, whose message feels strikingly relevant. Adapted and directed by River Rep’s Christopher Peditto, with an immersive multimedia production design, and transportive electronic soundtrack, WEis a co-production between River Rep Theatre and Delaware Valley Opera, with support from River Rep’s Classroom Partnership Program with Homestead School, and the Delaware Valley Arts Alliance Arts for Sullivan grant program.

In August, River Rep will present Leni’s Last Lament by Gil Kofman. A smart, insightful, hilarious, wild ride of a play in which controversial Nazi filmmaker, Leni Riefenstahl, preposterously poses as a misunderstood victim, as she attempts to justify and sanitize her notorious past. This ironic work is full of hard to believe insights into this provocative figure. The show (recently premiered Off-Broadway at the 2023 United SoloFest) will star OBIE Award winner actress Jodie Markell and is directed by “legendary downtown theater-maker” (Village Voice) Richard Caliban. Opens Friday, August 4 at 7:00pm, with additional performances on Saturday, August 5 at 7:00 pm and Sunday, August 6 at 2:00 pm.

The DVO is pleased to collaborate with River Rep artistic director Christopher Peditto, who has worked across the U.S., and internationally - beginning his career in Chicago's Off-Loop theater scene, as artistic director of igLoo Theatre, before moving to NYC, where he worked with (among others) Naked Angels, Shooting Gallery, Workhouse, MCC Theatre, and at HERE Arts Center. Noted directing credits include Lee's Breuer's A Prelude to Death In Venice (Chicago premiere, igLoo Theatre), and World premiere stage adaptations of John Fante's The Saga of Arturo Bandini (igLoo, Chicago), Jim Thompson's The Killer Inside Me (Currican, NYC) and Charles Bukowski's Pulp (SoHo Rep, NYC).

From 2000-2015, Peditto worked as a producer at HBO, creating original online content for HBO Films, HBO Miniseries and HBO Documentaries. He made his feature film directorial debut with Light and the Sufferer, starring Paul Dano and Michael Esper, which premiered at the 2007 Edmonton International Film Festival. Moving to Sarajevo, Bosnia in 2016, Peditto directed European premieres of Michael Ende's The Neverending Story at Sarajevo Youth Theater, and Warren Leight's Side Man, at Chamber Theater Sarajevo, in 2020. Peditto directed River Rep’s inaugural production of Danny and the Deep Blue Sea at the Hurleyville Arts Centre, in 2022.

Peditto studied drama at Carnegie-Mellon University, and with Actors Studio co-founder Robert Lewis. He teaches acting at Homestead School in Hurleyville. His work has received support from the U.S. Embassy Sarajevo Cultural Grants Program, Illinois Arts Council, and NYSCA.

DVO offers a special thanks to River Rep and Homestead School for the loan of their lighting equipment for our summer season.

BUY TICKETS NOW $30.

River Rep Theater "WE"

River Rep Theatre presents the World premiere of Yevgeny Zamyatin’s WE, opening Friday, July 28 at 7pm, with additional performances on Saturday, July 29 at 7pm, and Sunday, July 30 at 2pm.

All tickets are $30

Based on the banned book that inspired 1984, and hailed by Margaret Atwood (The Handmaid's Tale) as “one of the most important dystopias of the twentieth century”, Yevgeny Zamyatin’s "We" transports us to the futuristic totalitarian society of OneState, ruled over by the all-powerful “Benefactor.” A visionary masterpiece of wit and black humor, WE is also a powerful, exciting, and vivid work of science fiction, whose message feels strikingly relevant.

Adapted and directed by River Rep’s Christopher Peditto, with an immersive production design, and transportive electronic soundtrack, WE’s cast includes: Arthur Aulisi, Jim Fyfe, Lisa Gonsalves, Tina Gordon, Oliver King, Ivie Rein, Peter Sansbury, Sophie Smith, Will Thames, Crystal Tweed, Laura Velez, Juliet Wolfe and Pearl Zayas.

A co-production between River Rep and Delaware Valley Opera. This project is made possible with funds from the Statewide Community Regrant Program, a program of the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature and administered by Delaware Valley Arts Alliance. Additional support comes from River Rep's Classroom Partnership Program with the Homestead School.

Learn more at RiverRep.org.

River Rep Theater presents Gil Kofman’s Leni's Last Lament

In Gil Kofman’s smart, insightful, hilarious, wild ride of a play "Leni's Last Lament", controversial Nazi filmmaker, Leni Riefenstahl, preposterously poses as a misunderstood victim, as she attempts to justify and sanitize her notorious past. It’s a wild, ironic ride full of hard to believe insights into this provocative figure.

The show - which recently premiered Off-Broadway at the 2023 United SoloFest - stars OBIE Award winning actress Jodie Markell, and is directed by “legendary downtown theater-maker” (Village Voice) Richard Caliban.

Learn more at RiverRep.org.

All tickets are $30




By JONATHAN CHARLES FOX for The River Reporter - Friday, June 9 , 2023
I was around six years old the first time I stepped inside an opera house. Excited by the sights and sounds of the audience taking their seats and the orchestra tuning up, I had no clue what would take place that afternoon. As the matinée performance of Puccini’s world-famous “La Boheme” began, a hush fell over the crowd.
 
Mesmerized by the magnificent music, the larger-than-life singers and the gorgeous costumes and sets, I began a journey of operatic discovery. It led to a lifelong appreciation of the art form, which is alive and well in Sullivan County, NY. 
 
When I heard that the Delaware Valley Opera Company (DVO) had announced its 2023 season, and that “La Boheme” was on the bill, I reached out to DVO Artistic Director Carol Castel to discuss the upcoming productions. They will debut this month in the company’s new home—the Delaware Valley Opera Center, located in beautiful Lake Huntington, NY.
 
JCF: I’m excited about “La Boheme,” but I read that the company is also presenting an opera for children. What’s that all about?
CC: Yes, it’s Jonathan Stinson’s “The Three Bears,” and we’re excited. It’s the first time we’ve ventured into children’s opera. 
 
JCF: So, it’s Goldilocks, right?
CC: Yes, but this retelling is a slight alteration of the classic tale. Goldilocks wants to be friends with the three bears, but they don’t like her because she doesn’t look like them. It’s kind of silly and fun, but with a message. And we have some very special guests who will be seated with the kids. The show is short and sweet and I think it’s a good introduction to opera for the kids. I’d like to do one every year.
 
JCF: I know that some people balk at opera because of the language barrier. “La Boheme” is written in Italian, isn’t it?
CC: Yes, but we’re presenting it in English. We do everything in English. I think people who have seen it in Italian will get a kick out of it. Opera has the ability to transcend language through music. Creating an opera begins with the words, which come from the left brain, and the music—which comes from the right brain—is written after the story. And when you put them both together, somehow it bypasses our head altogether and it evokes emotion. 
It’s a magnificent art form. It can be life changing. That’s why I’ve been doing this for all these years. 
 
JCF: There’s another production on your schedule, titled “The Audition,” that I know nothing about. Is it new? 
CC: Yes, it’s a spoof. Over the years, I’ve seen and heard everything, and what people think we want to see is both noteworthy and entertaining. “The Audition” has all of the classic elements of an opera, but is essentially a concert with a story. And it’s funny.
 
JCF: So the season is composed of three very different productions. It sounds like there’s something for everyone. And it’s in the company’s new home. 
CC: Yes, we’re thrilled to have a permanent home. The theatre has incredible history and plenty of room to house our large collection of costumes and props, along with offices and an attached cabaret space and bar. We’ll be able to present a wide variety of entertainment in that space year ‘round and it’s exciting. We have big plans for the future. This is not your grandma’s opera company.

Delaware Valley Opera

The Delaware Valley Opera has launched a “Go Fund Me” campaign to raise money to purchase theatrical lighting equipment.

The lighting equipment owned by the DVO is minimal and with the removal of the lighting loaned by Collabonation Productions, purchasing our own lighting equipment has become a priority.

The Campaign goal is $25,000 to purchase basic lighting needs.

Please help us “keep the lights on” and donate whatever amount you can.

Donate Now.

The DVO wishes to give a very special thank you to the Homestead School and River Rep for the loan of their theatrical lighting system for our 2023 season. They are solely responsible for our three shows having lights this summer and we are most grateful for their generosity and kindness.

  1. Gratitude for All the Volunteers!
  2. 2022 Performance Videos