At the end of July, a group of forty young performers will bring “Pippin” to life on the stage of Greenwich Country Day School’s Kerrick Performing Arts Center. For three nights — July 31, August 1, and August 2 at 7:30 p.m. — the Off-BeatPlayers will present their annual summer musical, a production that embodies the company’s central belief: that creative expression through theater should be open to everyone.
Off-Beat Players, Inc., known as OBP, is a Greenwich-based nonprofit that stages fully produced musicals featuring teens and young adults with and without disabilities. Founded in 2007, the group offers its summer program free of charge, relying on donations, ticket sales, and community support to sustain its work. Over the years, their productions have ranged from “Fiddler on the Roof” to “High School Musical” to ‘Rock of Ages.”
This year’s choice, Pippin — with book by Roger O. Hirson and music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz — follows a young prince in search of meaning and purpose. The show is licensed through Music Theatre International and will feature a live orchestra.
Donald McGuire, whose son Kieran is performing in this summer’s cast, credits Greenwich Country Day School with making the production possible. “I have to say that without GCDS allowing the use of their Performing Arts Center none of this would be happening,”McGuire said.
The experience, he added, has been transformative for his son. “The eight weeks of practice have really brought a spring to Kieran’s step, he is invigorated and really looking forward to the production.”
Beyond the music and staging, McGuire sees something even more important happening among the cast. “It’s sincerely heartwarming to see those with disabilities working with those without disabilities and all having such a good time getting ready to perform,” he said.
That sense of community is at the core of Off-Beat Players’ mission.The company was founded by teachers who believed in making theater accessible to all young adults, regardless of ability. Each summer, 30 to 40 performers and crew members spend weeks rehearsing under the guidance of professional directors, choreographers, and musicians. Volunteers contribute behind the scenes, assisting with set construction and technical support, creating a collaborative environment where every participant has a role.
For families like the McGuires, the impact goes beyond the stage lights. “Making some new friends in the Greenwich community has also been a benefit for him,” McGuire said of Kieran’s involvement. The friendships and bonds formed over the summer rehearsals often extend beyond the performances, becoming a lasting part of participants’ lives.
Tickets for Pippin are available at www.offbeatplayers.org, where supporters can also make donations to help sustain the fee-free program. Off-Beat Players is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit based in Greenwich, Connecticut.
As opening night approaches, the cast is ready to share what months of preparation have built: a musical production that celebrates inclusion, community, and the joy of performance. For audiences, the show offers more than just an evening of theater — it’s a chance to see what happens when a town, a school, and a group of young performers come together to create something extraordinary.
