Saturday, June 11th of 2022; 5:00pm

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Looking for the opportunity to have an extraordinarily wonderful dinner and support the rising professionals of the Woodstock Playhouse 2022 Cast? We present such an opportunity here: A Benefit Dinner Event Sponsored by the celebrated culinary destination right next door to the Woodstock Playhouse: Cucina of Woodstock.

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Be one of a limited number of special guests who will be able to step through the doors of the Cucina Historic Barn Private Event Space and back in time with us to celebrate both the historic roots and the present day high quality productions of the iconic Woodstock Playhouse.

 

In celebration of our shared history and the opening weekend of our season, Cucina of Woodstock will host a dinner at their Event Barn - a restored 19th century barn where rehearsals were held for Playhouse productions during the 1950s - and you will enjoy:

• Pinot Grigio, Montepulciano, assorted beers and soft drinks

• Passed Hors d'oeuvres:
  - Caprina Pizza, fig-rosemary jam, goat cheese, mozzarella, pear, arugula, truffle oil-Gluten Free
  - Arancini, arrabbiata sauce
  - Catsmo Smoked Salmon, bagel chips, crème fraiche

• Plated Salad First Course:
  - Organic Lacinato Kale Salad, Tuscan pecorino, currants, pine nuts, lemon olive oil, balsamic-Gluten Free

• Family style Main Course:
  - Slow Roasted Salmon, potato puree, snap peas black truffle vinaigrette-Gluten Free
  - Murray’s Herb Roasted Chicken, rosemary jus, roasted potatoes, broccoli rabe-Gluten Free
  - Spinach Ricotta Ravioli, asparagus, parmesan cream, pistachio gremolata

• Plated Dessert:
  - Flourless Chocolate Torte, whipped cream, seasonal berries-Gluten free 
  - A Trio of Sorbetti on request for anyone who wishes

• American Coffee and Tea

served in the honor of all guests and the opening of the 2022 Season.

 

Join our Gala Chairpersons, Board Member, Carlene Hummell, a leader in Ulster County Business with Aqua Jet Pools, Spas and Patio Furniture, and her husband, retired NYS Trooper and Serviceman Steve Hummell, as we celebrate the 84th Anniversary of the Woodstock Playhouse on its site at the Gateway to Woodstock. We, too, celebrate our history connected to the 50th Anniversary of the Woodstock 1969 Festival and the recognition of the Woodstock Playhouse by the Hudson River Valley National Heritage Area, which has deemed the Woodstock Playhouse an official historic site of American Theatre and Music History; the first theater ever to receive the honor.
 
The evening will begin with wine, hors d'oeuvres, and meet-and-greet beginning at 5:00 pm, followed by dinner. The performance of 'Footloose' at the Playhouse begins at 7:30pm. 

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Would you like to just join us for the Benefit Dinner? You can do that!

 

The Dinner Event is sponsored and donated by the premier culinary destination, Cucina of Woodstock. The evening and the performance of 'Footloose' are sponsored by Community 'Leaders Aqua Jet Pools, Spas and Patio Furniture', 'Marshall & Sterling Insurance', Mid-Hudson Valley Federal Credit Union, Rondout Savings Bank, High Rocks Charitable Trust, Ulster Savings Bank, and Stewart's Shops.

 

About Your Hosts at Cucina of Woodstock:

 

Chef Giovanni 'Gianni' Scappin is native of Marostica, in the northern Italian region of Veneto, studied at the nearby Recoaro Terme Culinary Institute. He was hired as Corporate and Executive Chef for the Bice Group, opening their restaurants in major cities across the U.S. and abroad. Famed restaurateur Pino Luongo recruited Gianni afterward, where he eventually rose to oversee Luongo’s entire restaurant empire operation throughout the 1990s, including Il Cantinori, Le Madri, Centolire and Coco Pazzo. He was invited to consult on the Ristorante Caterina de’ Medici. Upon its opening he was asked to join the CIA faculty as a lecturing instructor and eventually, Assistant Professor of Culinary Arts.

 

Lois Freedman is a graduate of The French Culinary Institute in New York City hired by acclaimed French Chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten and worked side by side with him garnering four stars from the New York Times.  Currently serving as President of Jean-Georges Management, she has been responsible for the overall concepts, service and creative decisions for the Mercer Kitchen, 66, Matsugen, V Steakhouse, Spice Market, Perry St., ABC Kitchen, ABC Cocina, Dune in the Bahamas, and Jean-Georges’ latest venture in Pound Ridge, NY, The Inn at Pound Ridge.

 

Cucina of Woodstock is an Open Table Diners' Choice 2016 Award Winner among countless additional accolades.