As the founder and producing director of Music Mountain Theatre, Ginny Brennan has long been one of our community’s brightest lights. We discussed her life and career.

It seems that when we attend performances you are always here, greeting us before the show and chatting afterwards.

I do try and be here as much as I can. I feel like I’m the face that people are used to. Our general manager, Deven Miller, takes my place when I am with my granddaughter, because I spend a lot of time with her, especially when her daddies are busy in a show.

I take what I call “the mother of the bride” spot at the piano in the lobby. People mingle and I hand out brochures and get quotes that we use in advertising. “That was the best show I’ve seen!” “I’ve never laughed so much!” I love having those conversations—I got my dad’s personality. He was a man about town—everybody knew him. When I’m out shopping at Giant, for example, someone will yell, “What’s playing next week?” I make sure to look good when I shop!

How did your theater life begin?

I grew up in East Rutherford and we put on backyard shows with our neighbors. Dad built a stage and we raised money for Mom’s favorite charity. I remember how I felt as a child doing that, and I knew how the kids felt watching that silliness. That’s why children’s theater is my niche and always has been. I think theater is an important way for them to understand communication and expression, and for them to be able to feel free enough to be silly, to be angry, to be whatever they need to be on stage. And it forms relationships that last forever.

Do you perform?

My mom used to sing Sinatra around the house beautifully and my dad was in a little barbershop quartet. I thought, “Well, I can sing.” Apparently, I couldn’t—in a high school musical, I was asked to just mouth the words! I was a dancer in high school and college.

Did you live in Lambertville?

I moved to Lambertville more than 45 years ago and lived around the corner from Niece Lumber. I worked at The Yellow Brick Toad [the popular restaurant from 1978-1999 located on the site now occupied by Oxford Communications—almost next door to Music Mountain Theatre], which was run by David Duthie. I was the “bartender,” which was funny since they had a machine that gave you the shots automatically, so I didn’t have to do much.

Then you moved to Doylestown?

Yes. We started Chambers, a restaurant on Main Street in Doylestown, which is where I learned how to run a business. After it was sold, since I had a degree in psychology, I worked as a job coach at the Bucks County Intermediate Unit. This is where I developed a passion for working with children with special needs.

At the time, my son Jordan joined the Bucks County Playhouse Children’s Theater program, so I began to volunteer. I eventually ran the children’s program. Ultimately, I became the general manager of the Playhouse for several years, which gave me great experience.

How did the Downtown Performing Arts Center come about?

When Jordan was in high school there was not a lot of emphasis on the arts, so the idea for a performing arts studio for kids became Downtown Performing Arts Center (DPAC). We opened in 2001 in “downtown” Lambertville at 9 S. Main Street [now River Signs]. It was a small space—we had classes downstairs and upstairs, and even a crawl space where we stored our collection of costumes. The number of students grew but we had no place to perform regularly. Occasionally we did shows for local events like Winterfest. We grew, so we moved to Mount Hope Street across from Cavallo Park. It was larger but we still lacked performance space.

We outgrew that space and moved to the Mt. Airy Shopping Village in West Amwell. We continued our classes and did very limited productions at schools or in church basements. We began our annual tradition of performing “A Christmas Carol” at South Hunterdon Regional High School.

Is this when you started your outdoor performances at Washington Crossing?

I found out that the open-air theater was available. The Bucks County Playhouse had rented it for a few summers, so I was familiar with it. I contacted the State of New Jersey, the hands-off landlord of the theater, and put in a bid, which was accepted. My theater-loving mom had passed around that time and left a small inheritance, which we used to build the stage–a huge improvement. We planted flowers and cleaned it up to the best of our ability. We said, “This is your stage, Mom.”

We opened in 2010 and ran from the spring through October. There were some grueling days and nights dealing with the elements, bugs, and technical difficulties. Over the next seven seasons, our audience grew. The theater brought more talented performers and loyal patrons. We said, “People are responding to what we offer–we should move indoors.”

We formed a nonprofit with a small board of directors. We could envision every empty space as a theater! I was driving on Route 179 and noticed a sign for a warehouse for rent. I spoke to Mike Strober from Strober Wright Roofing and asked if he’d consider renting the whole space and helping us convert it into a theater. He agreed and I walked out shocked, thinking, “What did I just do?” So, our efforts turned toward fundraising and planning. Through the generosity of Strober Wright, donations, and our volunteers’ countless hours, we opened on October 6, 2017.

Do you have a favorite musical?

Well, if you ask me today, it is “Come From Away.” I’ve seen it nine times. Part of my enjoyment is bringing someone to see it and knowing they’re experiencing what I experienced the first time I saw it. Something about it just hit me. It is very heartwarming and it’s a true story, making it even more heartwarming!

Do you have favorite choreography from a musical?

I’m still a fan of a good tap number and I enjoy ballet, due to years of watching Jordan dance. Jordan started theater at eight years old. He was taking dance classes and eventually moved to Roxey Ballet for its ballet class for boys, which is important because a male dancer is different in many ways. Jordan took classes at Mill Ballet School through high school and continued into college.

After Hurricane Ida, the Roxey Ballet’s space in Lambertville was ruined, so we offered them the theater for a benefit concert and for “A Very Lambertville Holiday Celebration” [produced by Roxey Ballet Company and the Lambertville Historical Society the past three years]. I really enjoy the collaboration!

Have you had any mentors?

I have to thank my parents. When we were children, they took us to see Broadway shows. Mom was always volunteering and she taught me the value of community. Dad was also very community involved–he was a councilman and worked with the emergency squad. Everybody knew my dad. They were my early role models.

While job coaching at Central Bucks West, I worked with a special education teacher, Tracey Soslow. She put on a show with her students and I can still remember watching and welling up because they were so happy. That inspired me to start a DPAC class for uniquely abled actors. Several students have followed me and are still performing to this day.

How do you think of Lambertville as a home for your endeavors over the years?

I couldn’t be happier with landing here. I consider New Hope and Lambertville as one wonderful community.

At MMT’s location, the connection to St. John Terrell’s Music Circus makes it even more special. [The Barnum Restaurant at the Music Circus became The Yellow Brick Toad.] I love hearing stories about the Music Circus from many of our patrons. We have old programs that people enjoy browsing through.

Talk about how the generations interact at Music Mountain Theater.

We have an adult company and a junior company. I encourage them to support each other and appreciate the talents they all bring to MMT. Our volunteer ushers range from teens to seniors, and they work together to welcome patrons.

You work with very different groups and organizations. How do you do that so effectively?

I’ve learned over the years how to talk with sponsors and benefactors. They are all helpful in bringing their unique perspectives to the theater. Sponsors and donors are an important part of our theater community–they enjoy meeting and getting to know our family of performers. Although we are considered a “community theater,” I have always thought of us as a “theater for the community.”

What is challenging about the theater that people might not know about?

When we plot out a season, we have to make sure we appeal to different audiences. Some patrons enjoy the classics. The newer shows appeal to our younger audience. We try to mix it up to make sure everyone is happy, and to encourage people to see something they have never seen before.

People may not realize that licensing fees are very expensive, which always presents a challenge. One fun thing we do is our “fishbowl fundraiser.” We offer eight shows we would like to see performed, and then our patrons have a chance to donate to their favorite show. By process of elimination, we choose the winner. This year “Beauty and The Beast” won.

Looking at your career, would you say it’s all been worth it?

Absolutely! My family and the friends I’ve made–and continue to make–have made my job easy. Theater is conducive to deep, meaningful connections.

Could you see a musical about your life or career?

Oh, dear, I have never thought about that. Growing up in the fifties and the sixties… I went to Woodstock… The tumult of that era… It might make a fun musical!

I wonder who would star in it.

Well, I’ve always thought if they were going to make a film about me, it would have to be Sally Field or Jamie Lee Curtis.

For tickets and information about shows, classes and more, visit the Music Mountain Theater website.