Tangent to present selection of short scenes – a look back and peek forward – with gathering at Hotel Tivoli to follow for cheer & conversation
Tivoli, NY, October 10, 2025 – Tangent Theatre Company, based in Tivoli NY, has presented a wide array of character-driven contemporary classics, established works, new plays festivals, main-stage shows and their popular readings for 25 years. The company, founded in New York City in the fall of 2000 by Andrea & Michael Rhodes and the late Keith Teller, relocated to the Hudson Valley in 2009. In recognition of their ensemble, the community and their loyal audience, Tangent will be hosting Tangent @ 25: Scenes & Celebration on Sunday, October 19, 2025, with select scenes from past hits and a peek at future possibilities; reading(s) to be held at Village Hall (4pm) with an informal celebration to follow at Hotel Tivoli (5:30pm) in Tivoli village (light snacks provided by the hotel, cash bar). Free to enter both events with donations welcome; reservations required via email to info@tangent-arts.org.
The scenes chosen for the reading portion of the event include such notable plays as Doubt by John Patrick Shanley (produced in Tivoli 2010), Waiting for Godot by Samuel Beckett (produced in NYC 2003) and Circle Mirror Transformation by Annie Baker (Tivoli 2016), and the short play Quick & Dirty: A Subway Fantasy by colleague David Riedy – a company favorite, which appeared in one of Tangent’s earliest shows in New York in 2003 (the play went on to win at the Sam French Short Plays Festival that year, produced by Tangent); other future ideas will round out the selections. The October 19th scene readings will feature Tangent’s ensemble veterans Jeffrey Doornbos*, Ann Osmond,* Amie Tedesco*, Steven Young and Artistic Director Michael Rhodes* (* indicates member of Actors’ Equity Association); produced by Andrea Rhodes.
After a collection of main-stage shows and pub-readings in New York, Andrea & Michael Rhodes relocated to Tivoli and migrated the company to our region in early 2009; productions, play readings and a celebrated new plays festival followed. As they found footing after the pandemic, and moved on from their small theater space, they have presented numerous pop-up readings, often to sold out houses – including at such local favorites The Stissing Center in Pine Plains, The Moviehouse in Millerton, Upstate Films in Rhinebeck and Village Hall in Tivoli – to name a few.
“It’s pretty hard to believe this is our 25th year, we feel like we just started the journey. Our company has evolved and we’ve navigated twists and turns, but our mission has stayed in tact. We present works that challenge, excite – and incite – audiences and our ensemble” says Michael Rhodes. “We landed on a tagline that simply works, and does to this day: Truth is the motive” he adds. According to Tivoli’s Mayor Emily Majer: “Tangent Theatre Company has been a vital part of the community for many years. The energy, creativity, and passion they provide brings a variety of works and a remarkable ensemble of actors to our little village. Tivoli is a more vibrant place for having them call it home.”
To help wrap up a record year of readings, the company is delighted to be nominated for a Destination Dutchess Award of Distinction in the Storytelling category, along with fellow nominees Dutchess County Department of History and the Hudson River Sloop Clearwater (award ceremony to be held Thursday, November 13 at The Henry A. Wallace Center at the FDR Presidential Library and Home).
>> Tangent @ 25: Scenes & Celebration – select scene favorites followed by an informal gathering Sunday October 19, 2025; readings @ 4pm at Village Hall, 86 Broadway (doors open 3:30pm); gathering @ 5:30pm at Hotel Tivoli, 53 Broadway (light snacks, cash bar) – both in the heart of Tivoli, New York. Free to enter with reservations required by emailing info@tangent- arts.org; donations welcome (village hall accessible via stairs or elevator).
Tangent Theatre Company was founded in New York City in 2000 by Hudson Valley natives/married couple Andrea & Michael Rhodes, and the late Keith Teller, and re-located to Tivoli in 2009. Tangent is a professional theater company known for intimate character driven productions, their new plays festival and their popular play readings.