The Bucks County Playhouse is mourning the passing of Robert Redford, the Oscar-winning actor, director and founder of the Sundance Institute and Film Festival. He was 89. 

Redford made his professional stage debut at Bucks County Playhouse in 1959 in “Tiger at the Gate.” Later that year, he made his first Broadway appearance in “Tall Story.”  

He returned to the Playhouse in 1963 to star in Neil Simon’s pre-Broadway production of “Nobody Loves Me,” regarded as Redford’s breakout role.  

The Playhouse production, directed by Mike Nichols, moved to Broadway in October 1963, where it was retitled “Barefoot in the Park.” 

“Of all the starry names that have appeared at Bucks County Playhouse over the years, I’ve been most impressed with Robert Redford’s two stints on our stage (Grace Kelly is a close second),” said Alexander Fraser, producing director of Bucks County Playhouse.  

“His first Playhouse role, ‘Tiger at the Gate,’ was a retelling of the Trojan War, with Redford as Paris — a very handsome party boy. His memoir even recounts the director’s command that he dye his hair blond,” Fraser continued. “The second play, ‘Barefoot in the Park,’ made him a star when it moved to Broadway. I wrote to him in 2019 inviting him to our 75th anniversary celebration. He replied immediately, reflecting on fond memories of New Hope and the importance of the Playhouse to his career. Because of COVID-19 he said he wasn’t traveling, but he sent his best. We’ll remember him with the greatest respect.” 

Learn more about the New Hope theater company and their productions at the Bucks County Playhouse.

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