Alexander Fraser will step away from his role as producing director of Pennsylvania's Bucks County Playhouse in June 2026.

Fraser had led the regional heavyweight through a period of immense growth and evolution. Alongside fellow producers Robyn Goodman and Josh Fiedler, he resurrected the theatre's long-dormant reputation.

Once he completes his final season at the Playhouse, Fraser will resume his work as a commercial producer with a focus on new musical development and nightclub experiences. Additionally, Goodman and Fiedler will also step away from the Playhouse to focus on their slate of upcoming Broadway productions.

The transformation of Bucks County Playhouse is one of the great success stories in the regional market since the 2008 financial crash. Since 2014, the organization’s annual operating budget has grown from $2 million to $12.1 million, and average audience capacity has expanded from 34% to 64%. Once a summer theatre, the Playhouse now produces year-round, attracting more than 100,000 visitors annually.

Said Fraser in a statement, “When I arrived, I found a beautifully restored theatre with almost no audience and a skeptical community. Who knew this would turn into the job of a lifetime… working with Robyn and Josh to bring top-tier artists back to the Playhouse, and in turn attracting new audiences and bringing new life to New Hope. The community has been incredibly supportive; during the pandemic we raised $2 million in a few months, allowing us to keep all our staff who have been invaluable to our success. Now that we’re back in full force, it’s a good time to get someone who’s full of new ideas while I take aim at a few of my own.”

“When my private foundation bought the Bucks County Playhouse in 2011, my intent was to bring Broadway back to New Hope,” added Kevin Daugherty, president of Bridge Street Foundation and chair of the Playhouse board from 2012 to 2023. “Alex arrived in 2014, with his relentless optimism, his Tony Award, and his little three-legged dog. They quickly became beloved figures in our community. Over the next 10 years, we watched Alex, Robyn, and Josh elevate the production standards to Broadway heights and sold-out shows. It was the consistent quality of these shows that led to New Hope’s resurgence as a travel destination. We’ve been lucky to have them here.”

The Playhouse board, with the support of Fraser, Goodman, and Fiedler, is now working with Management Consultants for the Arts, led by Shruti Adhar, to conduct a national search for the next artistic leader to join Managing Director Teresa Sanpietro and Executive Director Nicole Hackmann.

“We are forever in debt to Alex, Robyn, and Josh for their tireless work in building a community around 11 seasons of extraordinary productions,” said Gayle Goodman, chair of the Playhouse board of directors. “They’ll be a tough act to follow… but they leave a strong foundation and a stellar opportunity for our next artistic leader.”

Visit BCPTheater.org.