Part of the "First Look" readings series, Eltinge features book, music and lyrics by Colbert. Wallace Norman directs the work based on the life of Julian Eltinge.

Jay Rogers, Lorinda Lisitza and creator Colbert perform the work, which according to festival notes, "explores the whirlwind career of this ground breaking performer and the circumstances by which this onetime star was denied to perform in the milieu that made him so successful."

In addition to his work in Vaudeville, Eltinge starred in several Broadway musicals, silent films and performed for King Charles VII of England. He was said to be the highest-paid actor in America in 1912. In the 1940's, during an attempted comeback at Los Angeles' Café Rendezvous, Eltinge was denied permission to perform in his signature gowns. He would later perform the show in a tuxedo with the gowns placed on mannequins.

Additional Woodstock Fringe productions include Archeology of a Storm, Out of the Box, The Night Cardiff Giant Sang Rossini on the Lawn and Richard 3.5: Light Ruminations on Murder. Readings include Where the Sky Begins, Swimming with Esther and Going to Vietnam. The festival continues through Sept. 6.

For tickets phone (845) 810-0123 or visit WoodstockFringe.