Winter Theater: Othello at Lyndhurst

Lyndhurst Mansion’s Winter Theater series stages Shakespeare’s Othello on select weekends from February 27 through March 22, performed inside the estate’s parlor rooms where fireplaces, period furnishings, and dim lighting create an intimate 19th-century atmosphere. The production seats around 75 to 100 guests per performance, with showtimes typically at 7:30 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, 2 p.m. on Sundays. Tickets range from $30 to $50 depending on seating, and advance purchase is strongly recommended as weekend performances often sell out a week or more ahead. Parking is free in Lyndhurst’s designated lot, a short walk from the mansion entrance.

The production is performed by a professional regional theater company, with recent casts including actors from Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival and other area stages. The mansion’s scaled-down rooms put you close to the action, often within arm’s reach of the performers, making this a visceral, emotionally intense experience compared to traditional proscenium theater. Intermission is typically 15 minutes, with wine and light refreshments available for purchase in the mansion’s adjoining parlor. The venue is heated but dress warmly, as the historic building can feel drafty, especially in February when temperatures hover in the 30s.

Before the performance, walk down to the Hudson River overlook behind Lyndhurst for sunset views across the water to the Tappan Zee Bridge, especially striking in winter when the bare trees frame the river’s wide stretch. If you’re attending a matinee, arrive early for a self-guided walk around the mansion grounds, where you can explore the gardens, carriage house, and riverfront trails that loop through Lyndhurst’s 67 acres. For pre-show dining, try River Market Bar & Kitchen (established 2013) on Tarrytown’s Main Street, or grab a casual bite at Lefteris Gyro (1974), both a five-minute drive north.

Turn Winter Theater into a weekend escape by booking a Tarrytown or Sleepy Hollow rental on Lake.com, ideally with Hudson River views and a fireplace for the full winter atmosphere. Combine the performance with a visit to Sleepy Hollow Cemetery (where Washington Irving is buried) or the Old Dutch Church, built in 1685 and open for weekend tours. Othello at Lyndhurst attracts theater lovers, couples seeking a romantic winter outing, and anyone looking for cultural programming in a historic Hudson Valley setting with riverfront access built in.