Forge Celebrates 50 Years of Community Theater

There is a revolving door of talent tucked away between the residences on First Avenue, where you may have run into the next Broadway performer, news anchor or even an Eisenhower on their way to and from auditions and rehearsals.

For 49 years, the group has been singing, dancing, pushing the boundaries and delighting audiences with their productions. Whether a musical or dramatic performance, visitors to Forge can be assured that they will always see something new and exciting with each performance.

“We have everything here,” said Marnie Herzfeld, president of the Forge board of directors. “We have people with a theater background, and the people who for them this is first show they have ever done."

Herzfeld began participating in Forge productions in 1982. The first musical she tried out for with Forge was "Hello Dolly!" where she ended up with a part in the chorus—and her husband. Both have been active in the Forge community ever since.

As Forge moves into its 50th year, Herzfeld said that the keys to its continued success and support are the people that make up the “Forge Family.”

“There is usually a group of 20 or more people at any given time who are the backbone of the theater,” she said.

According to Herzfeld, these people are music directors, set designers, actors and others who are heavily involved in making the theater run. They're the core of the theatre’s activity.

What makes the family so special is that it’s always changing.

“People move on, someone else steps in and it keeps going,” she said. “We always put tremendous time and effort into the shows."

Forge typically puts on six shows per season with 110 to 120 active theater members at any given time. With so many productions and performances over the years, Herzfeld said it’s difficult to choose her favorites.

“There are too many,” said Herzfeld, who added that she has done several shows per year since 1982. However, Herzfeld fondly remembers some of the “wackier” shows from her career with the theater.

In Forge’s 2010 production of the "Mystery of Irma Vep," two cast members played eight different parts during the show.

“One [actor] would leave the stage from one door and come out the other in another costume because there were only two of them,” said Herzfeld. “That show was definitely unique.”

“My favorite moments are the ones where things go wrong,” said Dru Ullery, who has been with Forge for 18 years. “Those comical moments stay with you,” he said.

Ullery is currently in the process of casting the theater’s upcoming production of "Cabaret," which he will direct.

Ullery said that he has always enjoyed the “little things” about being involved in community theater.

“The spirit of our shows is a thousand times different than a professional production,” he said. “Everyone here is always so supportive and so happy to be involved."

In July, Forge held a clean up day on one of the hottest days of the year. Over 20 people, including members of Forge’s board of directors, came out to clean and remove materials left over from past shows, including woodscrap used for sets and props. The lobby was also repainted and the soundproofing was redone. The theater building is a former funeral home that was falling into disrepair until the theater group moved in.

“We wanted to make sure it looked fresh and new, and clean for the next 50 years,” said Herzfeld.

For Forge’s patrons who donated to the 50th Anniversary season, the theatre will hold a Gala Review on Sept. 30 and Oct. 1. According to Forge Theatre’s Historian, Jan Swarr, songs from past shows will be performed by members of Forge, there will be a “red carpet” and lots of surprises for attendees.

“We will even have recorded [public service announcements] from our former stars,” said Swarr.

On Saturday evening at 7p.m., Forge will hold the annual banquet at the theater celebrating the 49th season. The banquet is an opportunity for members and season ticket holders to get together and celebrate the hard work that goes into all the productions. Attendees will also receive a ballot to chose the best actors in each of their shows, and awards will be given.

The Forge Theatre is located at 241 First Ave. in Phoenixville. For more information about Forge Theatre's upcoming events, visit www.forgetheatre.org. The first show of the 50th Anniversary season will be "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest."