Holmdel Theatre Brings Broadway to the Barn

By Mary Ann Bourbeau

HOLMDEL – If you can’t make it to Broadway, fear not. The Holmdel Theatre Company is bringing Broadway to you.

The theater’s “Broadway at the Barn” series continues Monday, Dec. 9 with a holiday performance by Betsy Wolfe, whose credits include “Waitress,” “Bullets Over Broadway,” “Falsettos” and “The Last Five Years.” Wolfe is looking forward to performing in the intimate Duncan Smith Theater, a 125-year-old renovated barn that has been transformed into a charming 99-seat theater.

“It’s been a long time since I performed in New Jersey,” she said. “One of my first professional jobs was in 2005 when I was in “Ragtime” at the Paper Mill Playhouse. New Jersey has a special place in my heart.”

Wolfe grew up in a small California town north of Los Angeles and was exposed to the arts at a young age.

“Whenever the national tours came around, I would travel with my Nana on the senior citizen bus trips to L.A.,” she said. “We saw every touring show. That’s definitely where I fostered my love of theater.”

She made her Carnegie Hall debut at age of 20, while still a student at the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music.

“I was a little more fearless at 20,” she said. “I’m glad I didn’t realize the magnitude of headlining Carnegie Hall at that age. That’s pretty crazy!”

Not long after graduation, she was cast in a regional production of “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” and quickly moved on to Broadway in “110 in the Shade.” Her classical training also enabled her to perform at the Metropolitan Opera in a 2013 production of “Die Fledermaus.” But she cherishes any opportunity to perform a solo show.

“I love the freedom of putting together songs I’ve performed in shows along with other songs I love,” she said. “This show is a hodgepodge woven into a fun journey of how Betsy wound up where she is.”

One of the songs Wolfe will perform is her own humorous take on “I Love Betsy” from the Broadway musical “Honeymoon in Vegas.” She revamped the song to include passages from love letters she received as a young girl along with snippets from a journal she kept as a teen.

“It was quite embarrassing for my parents to read,” she said with a laugh.

When asked what her dream role would be, Wolfe said it is ever-changing.

“I love playing women who are breaking the mold, changing the course of not only their lives but the lives of others,” she said. “There are a bunch of revivals I will absolutely tackle in my 50s and 60s, like Mrs. Lovett in ‘Sweeney Todd,’ but I’m not there yet.”

The Broadway at the Barn series launched in June with a performance by Alice Ripley, winner of the Tony Award for “Next to Normal.” Colleen Cook, Holmdel Theatre’s executive director, saw Ripley perform a solo show in New York City and approached her with an offer.

“To our surprise a few weeks later she said ‘yes,’ ” said Cook. “She’s a big believer in giving back to smaller theaters.”

Ripley’s sold-out show was followed by another, starring Constantine Maroulis. Over the summer, Cook saw Wolfe in the role of Cinderella in “Into the Woods” and reached out to her.

“Betsy has a gorgeous voice and such charming appeal,” said Cook. “Her talent is immense.”

Cook points out that the success of the Broadway at the Barn series is a team effort, led by artistic director Kathy Connolly along with managing director Laurie Devino, marketing director Heather Thompson, technical director Chris Szczerbienski and facilities manager Joyce Horan.

The series continues Jan. 4 with Jennifer Damiano, who originated the role of Natalie in “Next to Normal.” Damiano will also host a master class for drama students at Holmdel High School. On April 17, Amy Spanger from Broadway’s “Rock of Ages,” will take the stage.

“Because we’re getting these big names here, it’s drawing more people to the theater to see our other shows,” said Cook. “This certainly is raising our profile in Monmouth County as a go-to place for high quality theater.”

The Duncan Smith Theater is located at 36 Crawfords Corner Road, in front of Holmdel High School. For more information, visit holmdeltheatrecompany.org.

Arts and entertainment reporter Mary Ann Bourbeau can be reached at mbourbeau@tworivertimes.com