Bucks County Playhouse will hold a ceremony on Thursday, October 19 at 10:30 a.m. to officially reopen and rededicate New Hope’s historic Parry Barn as the Bill Harris and Jay Manas Playhouse Barn.

There will be a special performance by Ashley Blanchet, accompanied by Bob Egan, who created the Cabaret of Odette’s, the famed New Hope nightclub where he entertained for 21 years.

The barn, one of the oldest structures in New Hope, Pa., is being named for two longtime residents of Upper Black Eddy in Bucks County who were not only partners of more than 30 years, but also were well-known and well-loved within the community. Manas died almost three decades ago, and Harris passed away last year after a lengthy battle with Parkinson’s disease.

Renovations to the barn include an intimate performance space for cabaret, spoken word, and classical music performances. There are also flexible-use spaces for acting and performance classes, patron lounges, and exhibits from the Playhouse archives. When not in active use, the barn will be available for weddings and other special events.

To view a lineup of the latest shows and performances coming to Bucks County Playhouse, visit bcptheater.org.