Nyack, NY – Elmwood Playhouse’s current production of The Nance, directed with nuance and heart by Alan Demovsky, is a stirring, beautifully crafted journey into a forgotten world—one where laughter masked fear, and the stage was often the only safe place to be oneself.

Set in 1930s New York at the height of Mayor LaGuardia’s crackdown on vice and “degeneracy,” The Nance tells the story of Chauncey Miles, a flamboyant burlesque performer who specializes in playing the stereotypically effeminate “nance” character. Offstage, however, Chauncey lives a secret, tormented life as a closeted gay man navigating a society that punishes his very identity.

Chad Paul Hudson gives a bravura performance as Chauncey, capturing the character’s caustic wit, aching loneliness, and fragile hope with extraordinary sensitivity. His command of the stage is magnetic—whether delivering razor-sharp zingers or baring his soul in moments of painful vulnerability, Hudson keeps the audience utterly riveted.

The Elmwood Playhouse is transformed into a kind of Depression-era cabaret for this production, blurring the line between performer and spectator. When the dancers strut and tease during their burlesque routines, the audience becomes part of the act. At a recent performance, spontaneous whistles and cheers erupted from the crowd—testament to the electric atmosphere created by the cast and creative team.

The Nance is more than a historical drama; it’s a powerful reminder of how performance can be both an escape and a form of protest. In the hands of the Elmwood Playhouse team, it becomes a celebration of resilience, love, and the bittersweet beauty of being seen, even if only under the spotlight.

“The Nance” runs through [June 7th] at Elmwood Playhouse, 10 Park Street, Nyack, NY. Tickets and information available at elmwoodplayhouse.com.