ELLENVILLE – The Shadowland Theater is gearing up for one of its most exciting seasons ever, according to Artistic Director Brendan Burke. This year's offerings include something for every taste, giving residents and weekenders alike a chance to see some top-notch theater at affordable prices.

"It's the typical Shadowland formula," Burke says about the season. "Several pieces that are bit more audience-friendly, and three more that are a bit less well known, two of which are new plays that are New York premiers."

The biggest news of this season, perhaps, is the return to the Shadowland stage of John Astin, the actor who became famous for his role as Gomez Addams in the much-beloved Addams Family sitcom which ran on ABC from 1964-66. Astin will be appearing in a play entitled Guest Artist, directed by James Glossman, and written by noted actor Jeff Daniels. The play centers around an aspiring playwright who meets his Pulitzer Prize-winning idol (Astin), only to discover that the aging writer has been relegated to doing plays on the college circuit.

"It's a real tour de force for John," Burke says. "It's a play about meeting your heroes, and then learning that things are not what they're cracked up to be."

Another play that theatergoers should enjoy is entitled Two Jews Walk into a War.... This dark comedy, which was written by Seth Rozin and is also directed by Glossman, is based upon a true story which focuses on the last two Jews living in Kabul, Afghanistan, and their efforts to revitalize the synagogue in the war-torn city — the only problem is they can't stand each other.

"The play is ripped right out of the headlines," Burke says. "It's a great story about faith and resiliency. It's a comedy, with a serious heart at the center of it."

The other plays scheduled for this season include The Marvelous Wonderettes, which is just coming off a successful off-Broadway run. A musical, it features a whole jukebox full of nostalgic 50s and 60s tunes, and centers around a ten-year high school reunion. The New York Times called the play, "An irresistible musical…an utter charm!" Wonderettes is written by Roger Bean, and will be directed by Michael LaFleur, with musical direction by Philip Rainbow Hale.

The last, but certainly not least, two plays will be directed by Burke, himself. The first, entitled Red Herring, is a dark farce that has as its theme the Cold War paranoia of the early 1950s; and Yankee Tavern, a comic thriller that takes place in a bar near Ground Zero and focuses on the nature of the various conspiracy theories that seem to abound these days. Red Herring is written by Michael Hollinger, and Yankee Tavern is written by Steven Dietz.

Those who are interested in attending the full season would do well to purchase season tickets, according to Burke. The full season can be had for as little as $100, and will allow theatergoers to experience the full range of what Shadowland has to offer in 2010.

And, those who are on a fixed or limited income are always welcome to come to the box office before the show to see if seats are still available. Burke calls this feature "pay what you can," and, providing there are seats, patrons can get into the show for whatever they can afford.

The season will open with Two Jews, which will run from June 4-20; followed by Guest Artist, from June 25-July 18; The Marvelous Wonderettes will run from July 23-August 15; Red Herring, from August 20-Septermber 12; and, finally, Yankee Tavern, which will run from September 17-October 3. Ticket prices are $28 for the Thursday, Friday and Saturday shows; and $24 for Sunday matinees. Curtain times are 8 p.m., with matinees beginning at 2 p.m. Please call the box office at (845) 647-5511 if you would like more information on this year's season.

Break a leg, folks!