As the weather at long last warms, the Capital Region’s minds naturally turn toward the coming outdoor delights. 

The flowers and music of Tulip Fest are but one example. How about a burger at Jumpin’ Jack’s or a dip in Moreau Lake? Oh, and let’s not forget the glory of theater under a darkening sky in Albany’s Washington Park. 

Um, about that last one. …

Alas, the Park Playhouse schedule will be limited this year, at least in Albany. As the Times Union’s Steve Barnes recently reported, the company will not even present a main-stage musical in the city in July, and its only offering at the Washington Park amphitheater will be limited to a 10-day run at the end of August. 

The troupe’s primary productions will be presented to paying ticket-holders at Cohoes Music Hall. That’s a significant win for that city and its Remsen Street business district. It’s just unfortunate that the needed boost for Cohoes is coming at Albany’s expense – and it’s a loss for theater-lovers who have been able to take their families to see quality shows for free. 

This isn’t a sudden development. Park Playhouse has been shifting its operations away from Washington Park for several years now, scheduling performances in Cohoes and in Guilderland’s Tawasentha Park, while Albany squabbles over issues like funding.

To the point, Park Playhouse believed it would again receive a grant of $50,000 or more from the city to support its summer theater. But as Mr. Barnes also reported, that money has been the subject of a back-and-forth between former Mayor Kathy Sheehan and her successor, Dorcey Applyrs. Ms. Sheehan says money for Park Playhouse was included in her 2026 budget; Ms. Applyrs says she didn’t know it was there. 

Ugh. Fortunately for Albany theater lovers, however, money from the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development is salvaging part of this season to at least allow Park Playhouse to present a play for young children based on Mo Willems’ books. But what about in years to come?

As we’ve said before, the city must not allow free theater in Washington Park to slip away. The musical theater presented by Park Playhouse is one of this region’s great summer traditions and attractions, and the fact that it is free makes it all the better: That allows families of all economic backgrounds the opportunity to experience live musicals, which can be a very expensive outing. Also, Cohoes Music Hall can seat about 450 people at most; Washington Park’s amphitheater can easily seat 2,000.

Yes, weather is part of the issue. Performing in the Cohoes Music Hall offers a level of revenue predictability that outdoor theater can’t provide. That’s why some sort of subsidy from the city of Albany is needed to ensure the continuation of outdoor theater — funding that will be tougher to find as Albany officials confront a significant and growing budget gap. No doubt the city has many competing priorities to consider. 

But Park Playhouse is worth the cost. Making the arts available to everyone, regardless of their ability to pay, is worth the investment – investment in the city’s quality of life, in a shared community experience, in the inspiration and energy the arts can bring.

Ms. Applyrs, rightly noting that Albany’s vitality has drained in recent years, has promised to “turn the lights back on.” With that in mind, Park Playhouse’s long history of outdoor theater can’t be allowed to go dark.