Larry Landsman, Neighbor

Our Mission

Bergen County Players, Inc. is a non-Equity, non-profit community theater committed to producing high-quality theatrical performances that reflect the richness and diversity of the performing arts. We provide a supportive, collaborative environment where members can grow their skills both onstage and behind the scenes—fostering artistic fulfillment while enriching the cultural life of greater Bergen County. Through this ongoing dedication, BCP proudly serves as a creative home for artists and audiences alike.

Giving Back to our Community

In the true spirit of giving back to the community that supports us, BCP supports other non-profit organizations in Bergen County every year. Bergen County Players will donate a portion of the 2025-2026 season’s proceeds to Joan’s Joy Foundation of Hillsdale, New Jersey. The Foundation honors the memory of 7-year-old Girl Scout Joan Angela D’Alessandro. The Foundation promotes child safety via programs and provides fun experiences for at-risk children. Joan’s story has brought hope through awareness and prevention. More info can be found at joansjoy.org.

Our History

From Humble Beginnings to National Recognition

From its beginnings as a modest community troupe, Bergen County Players (BCP) has grown into a beloved institution with a big reputation for excellence in live theater. Now entering our 93rd season, BCP continues to bring outstanding musicals, comedies, dramas, and family favorites to the stage—all powered by passionate volunteers and loyal audiences.

In recognition of its contributions to the arts and the community, BCP was recently honored with the prestigious Perry Award for Community Theater of the Year by the New Jersey Association of Community Theaters (NJACT).

A Legacy That Began in 1932

It was 1932. President Herbert Hoover faced mounting national challenges, and the Great Depression had gripped the country—breadlines were a common sight. Yet even in hard times, the arts found purpose. A shared love of theater brought together several amateur performance groups from across Bergen County. They gathered in a back room of the Hackensack YMCA, signed a charter, and formed what would become The Bergen County Players, Inc.

Among the founding members was Helen Burke Travolta, mother of future Hollywood star John Travolta—though no one could have imagined the legacy she and her fellow members were beginning. A photo from that historic night still hangs proudly in the lounge of the Little Firehouse Theatre, a reminder of BCP’s enduring roots and remarkable journey.

A Resilient Beginning

In its early years, the theater group performed wherever space allowed—ranging from high school auditoriums to makeshift barns. Eventually, they found a home at The Barn Theater on Howland Avenue in River Edge. Quaint and rustic, it was heated by a pot-bellied stove and shared its foundation with a family of skunks. But in the winter of 1944, disaster struck: a fire—of unknown origin—reduced the building to ashes, leaving the Players without a stage. True to the spirit of “the show must go on,” their next production opened on schedule at Bergen Junior College, now known as the Teaneck campus of Fairleigh Dickinson University.

Welcome to the Little Firehouse Theatre

In 1949, the town of Oradell constructed a modern facility for its fire department, leaving the original firehouse on Kinderkamack Road vacant. It didn’t take long for Bergen County Players to recognize the charm and potential of the historic building. After reaching an agreement with the town, BCP transformed the space—adding a stage at the rear, placing seats where the fire trucks once stood, and christening it The Little Firehouse Theatre.

Over the decades, the theater has continued to evolve. In 1969, a new wing was added to provide extra rehearsal space and storage. Seating capacity was expanded to 210, an electronic light board was installed in 1980, central air conditioning in 1982, and the box office was computerized in the 1990s. Most recently, BCP has added handicap accessibility and other vital upgrades—ensuring the theater remains both welcoming and technically up to date for performers and patrons alike.

Launching Stars, Enriching Lives

BCP’s dedication to producing quality productions gave rise to up and coming talent. Former members include Tony Award nominated Rob McClure of “Mrs. Doubtfire”, “Something Rotten”, “Chaplin the Musical” and “Avenue Q,” Tony Award nominated Beth Fowler of “Sweeney Todd” and “The Boy from Oz,” who also originated the role of Mrs. Potts in Broadway’s “Beauty and the Beast,” Tony Award nominated Robert Sean Leonard of “The Invention of Love”, the movie “Dead Poets Society” and the hit television series “House”, Tony nominated Robert Jess Roth, director of “Beauty and the Beast,” Tim Gleason, who made his Broadway debut in “The Phantom of the Opera,” Allison Smith, star of Broadway’s “Annie” and television’s “Kate & Allie,” Douglas Ullman, Jr., who originated the role of the Mute in the 2006 Off-Broadway revival of The Fantasticks, Adam Rodriguez of the television series “CSI: Miami” and the film “Magic Mike”, and international bestselling suspense writer Mary Higgins Clark, just to name a few.

Those are some of the now famous faces that earlier in their careers graced the stage and wings of the Bergen County Players (BCP) in its 92-year-history. Other faces include neighborhood doctors, lawyers, writers, telephone company workers, graphic artists, police officers, contractors and others you may run into at the bank, supermarket, school, coffee house, or mall.

Engaging Our Community

Over the years, Bergen County Players has continued to expand its artistic reach through innovative programming and community engagement. In 1987, BCP launched “Conversations With an Artist”, a special series designed to give members and the public a rare chance to interact with theater professionals. Esteemed guests have included actor Jonathan Silverman (Broadway Bound, Weekend at Bernie’s), Tony Award-winning actor Philip Bosco (Lend Me a Tenor, Moon Over Buffalo), and Tony Award-winning playwright Rupert Holmes (The Mystery of Edwin Drood, Curtains), among others.

In 2001, Holmes returned to collaborate directly with BCP, premiering his new comic mystery, Thumbs!, right on the stage of the Little Firehouse Theatre—a proud milestone in the company’s creative journey.

A Season to Remember—Every Year

Each season, Bergen County Players presents a vibrant lineup of productions, including six Mainstage shows and at least two Second Stage performances, showcasing a wide range of theatrical styles and talent. A beloved tradition, the holiday show each December continues to enchant audiences of all ages—bringing festive cheer and unforgettable memories year after year.

More Than a Theater—A Family

Today, Bergen County Players is proud to be a thriving non-profit organization supported by more than 300 dedicated volunteer members—a true family in every sense of the word. Over the years, many couples have met and fallen in love here, and multiple generations of families continue to share in the magic of theater together. With multiple shows in rehearsal at any given time, along with ongoing workshops and set construction, BCP relies on this passionate community of artists, technicians, and supporters both onstage and behind the scenes.

Since that very first meeting more than 90 years ago in a back room of the Hackensack YMCA, hundreds of thousands of patrons have passed through the doors of the Little Firehouse Theatre to experience the joy of live theater—many for the very first time. Audiences return year after year, often bringing new faces along, while countless performers, directors, and creatives have found not just an artistic outlet, but a home away from home.

Thanks to the enduring support of its members, audiences, and donors, Bergen County Players has grown into one of the premier community theater companies in the nation—committed to creating exceptional live theater and building lasting connections for generations to come.