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GE Theatre at Proctors
The Mainstage at Proctors
This Play Won 6 - Yes 6, Tony Awards. Here’s Why
“Red” Now Playing.
This Play Won 6 - Yes 6, Tony Awards. Here’s Why
didyouweekend
Rich
April 24, 2013
”Red” is not just a play; It’s an experience.”
“It takes you into the mind of an artist, like no production I have ever seen—ever.”
“every word, every symbol, every gesture will leave you wanting more.”
‘RED’ @ Capital Repertory Theatre
‘RED’ @ Capital Repertory Theatre
Nippertown
Greg Haymes
April 24, 2013
“But the truth of the matter is that you don’t have to be an art major or even a regular gallery-goer to appreciate the powerful work being done in the spotlight at Cap Rep.”
“It’s brave. It’s funny. It rips out your heart. It makes you think. It makes you feel…”
RED at Capital Rep isn’t what you think it is
RED at Capital Rep isn’t what you think it is
The Saratogian
Bob Goepfert
April 17, 2013
ALBANY — When most people hear the play “Red” will be performed at Capital Repertory Theatre, they ask, “How did they turn the Warren Beatty film into a play?”
The answer is, they didn’t.
“Red” is a Tony Award-winning play about…
‘Red’ @ Capital Rep
‘Red’ @ Capital Rep, 4/23/13
Timesunion.com
Steve Barnes
Tuesday, April 23, 2013
“Red” will be a joyous jolt, like grabbing the terminals of a powerful battery. It leaves the brain tingling, the soul inspired. You might be tempted to punch, or at least shout at, someone who loves it immoderately or, worse, is indifferent.”
“It’s creative passion made manifest, and it’s a thrill to watch.”
Review: 'Red' at Capital Rep is rich, raw
Review: 'Red' at Capital Rep is rich, raw
The Record
Bob Goepfert
Wednesday, April 24th, 2013
“McGuire is brilliant”
“This is what art is about. It is what good theater is about. And “Red” is really good theater.”
TONY®-WINNING DRAMA RED
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Mitchell Burke 518•382•3884 x 179
mburke@proctors.org
ALBANY, NY. Capital Repertory Theatre proudly announces the opening of RED, John Logan’s Tony Award® winning biographical drama about Abstract Expressionist painter Mark Rothko and the power of art. Public preview performances begin April 19, with press opening on April 23. Performances continue through May 19.
RED artfully transforms the Capital Rep stage into Rothko’s gritty Manhattan studio in 1958, when the abstract artist was at the height of his fame and began work on a prestigious commission of murals for the elite Four Seasons restaurant in New York’s Seagram Building. Working with an assistant half his age, Rothko comes face to face with his own artistic doubts, professional ethics, and the onslaught of Pop Art, dedicated to tearing down everything he stands for. Creation of the murals becomes a meditation on art, fame, money and the intractable mysteries of life and death.
The New York Times observed that RED, “asks you to feel the texture and shape of thoughts as it captures the dynamic relationship between and artist and his creations.” The Guardian of London said the play “makes you want to rush out and renew acquaintance with Rothko's work.” After an acclaimed run in London, RED opened on Broadway in 2010 and received six Tony® Awards, including Best Play for playwright John Logan. Long a writer for the stage, Logan is more widely known as a screenwriter, having penned the 2012 James Bond mega-hit Skyfall and 2011 Martin Scorsese film Hugo, for which he received an Oscar® nomination for Best Adapted Screenplay. Logan’s screenwriting has been nominated Academy Awards in 2000, for Best Picture winner Gladiator, and in 2004 for Scorsese’s The Aviator.
RED is directed by Capital Rep’s Producing Artistic Director, Maggie Mancinelli-Cahill. “This is the hottest play in the United States at the moment and we’re thrilled to be able to create this production for our Capital Region audiences,” said Mancinelli-Cahill. “Kevin McGuire’s return as our Rothko together with John Logan’s words and Mark Rothko’s art and passion generate a rare opportunity for a director. I love this play because it reminds us how artists define our world—that art matters.”
The two-man cast is anchored by Kevin McGuire as Mark Rothko. McGuire just completed a run in Donnybrook! at the Irish Repertory Theater in New York, and this past fall played Ernest Hemingway in Matthew Barney's epic film River Of Fundament. He has appeared on Broadway and in National and International tours of Les Miserables, Phantom of the Opera, The Secret Garden and Jane Eyre. He was Founding Artistic Director of The Theatre Company at Hubbard Hall in Cambridge. RED marks McGuire’s return to Capital Repertory Theater, where he played Don Quixote in the highly successful 2011 production of Man of La Mancha.
Ken, Rothko’s assistant, is played by David Kenner in his Capital Rep debut. He has appeared in Twelfth Night in Shakespeare in the Park, The Prophet Muhammad: A Musical and Help Yourself at Williamstown Theatre Festival, and Romeo and Juliet, Hamlet and Pride and Prejudice with Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival, among numerous other roles. The production is highlighted by an extended sequence when Rothko and David, as his assistant Ken, join in wordless interplay to dramatically paint an oversized blank canvas. David brings depth of feeling to his Ken that makes RED about so much more than only Rothko and a painting commission, and proves that he is a young actor to watch.
Preview performances for RED are April 19-21, and the official press opening is April 23. Regular performance continue through May 19, Tuesday¬ through Thursday at 7:30PM; Friday and Saturday at 8:00PM; Saturday matinee 3PM, Sunday matinee 2PM. There will be two Wednesday matinees on May 1 and 15 at 2:00PM. Capital Repertory is located on 111 N. Pearl Street in Albany.
Opening night includes a live lobby musical performance by Amy Shake and complimentary post-show champagne and dessert. The “Chef’s Table” performance on April 30 includes pre-show music by Shake and complimentary hors d’oeuvres from The Merry Monk and The Albany Pump Station, free for ticket holders beginning at 6:30PM in the lobby. A “Behind the Scenes presentation with director and Capital Rep’s artistic director Mancinelli-Cahill takes place on Sunday, May 12, at 1 PM. Complimentary continental breakfast for all ticket holders begins at 12:30 in the theatre lobby.
Discussion Night for RED, with the director and actors, will take place after each Wednesday evening performance.
RED is sponsored by Nixon Peabody LLP and Omni Development Company, Inc.
Ticket prices range from $20-$65. Students with valid ID: $16 all shows. For tickets and information, call TICKETS BY PROCTORS, (518) 445-SHOW or online at www.capitalrep.org.
RED FACT SHEET
PRODUCTION: RED by John Logan
WHERE: Capital Repertory Theatre, 111 N. Pearl St., Albany, NY
DATES:
Previews: April 19–21
Press Opening: April 23
Runs thru: Tuesday-Sunday through May 19
SCHEDULE:
Tues-Thurs 7:30PM
Fri/Sat: 8PM
Sat mat: 3PM Sun mat: 2PM
Wed mat: May 1 and 15, 2PM
CAST
Kevin McGuire as Mark Rothko
David Kenner as Ken
CREATIVE TEAM
Director: Maggie Mancinelli-Cahill
Set Designer: Roman Tatarowicz
Lighting Designer: Stephen Quandt
Sound Designer: Steve Stevens
Costume Designer: Thom Heyer
Painting Consultant: Tony Iadicicco
SPECIAL EVENTS
- April 23/Opening Night: curtain 7:30PM, pre-show music by Amy Shake begins at 6:30PM. Post-show complimentary desserts and champagne toast with cast
- April 30/Chef’s Table: Complimentary hors d’oeuvres by The Merry Monk and The Albany Pump Station and pre-show music by Amy Shake in lobby 6:30PM; curtain: 7:30PM
- May 3/First Night: New Paintings, works by Tony Iadicicco, in the lobby.
- May 12/Behind the Scenes: pre-show discussion with artistic director, complimentary continental breakfast. Food service starts 12:30PM, Presentation: 1:00- 1:30PM, curtain: 2PM.
- Discussion Nights: Every Wednesday immediately following the evening performance
TICKETS BY PROCTORS 518•445•SHOW
Online: www.capitalrep.org Prices: $20 - $65 Students with valid ID: $16 all shows
Gospel Jubilee
For any and all who are interested in seeing Gospel Jubilee this Friday, the link below will bring you to a great, and short, preview piece written an photographed by Rudy Lu for nippertown.com
Take just a few minutes to give it a look and see how the show is coming together during the last few days of rehearsal!
http://www.nippertown.com/2013/04/16/be-here-now-gospel-jubilee-proctors-41913/#more-93272
Position opening: Assistant Education Program Manager
ASSISTANT PROGRAM MANAGER
School of The Performing Arts at Proctors
Full time - Temporary (June – August 2013)
The School of Performing Arts at Proctors offers camps and classes in dance, theatre, music and film for all ages and skill levels. Students learn from experienced Broadway actors, singers and dancers to provide students with professional training. New this year is an opportunity to learn from Cirque Elioze.
Assistant will participate in the curriculum and work with professionals in the field, sometimes learning along with campers and others times taking a leadership role. He/She will work directly with and be responsible for students. They will also have a chance to design and direct the daily activities, as well as assist with administrative duties and safety protocols that are involved with running the programs.
Reports directly to Education Program Manager.
QUALIFICATIONS:
- Comfortable working with and co-teaching 6 – 18 year olds.
- Knowledge and passion for Theatre and its techniques, including Improv.
- Highly motivated and ability to take on diverse tasks.
- Outstanding interpersonal and communication skills.
- Strong attention to detail.
- Knowledge of Word and Excel.
To apply: Send cover letter & resume to jgelarden@proctors.org.
No Phone Calls.
Review of Cathy Rigby is Peter Pan
Review of Cathy Rigby is Peter Pan
by Katie Beltramo
"Cathy Rigby is Peter Pan" opened last night at Proctors Theater in Schenectady and continues through the weekend. If your first thought is, "Wait, Cathy Rigby is still doing this? How old is she?" then you're not alone. But skeptics, prepare to be blown away by Rigby's portrayal of Peter. She's funny, exuberant, boastful, swaggering, naughty, and thoroughly lovable as Peter Pan. Whether Peter is…
24hr Theatre Project comes to Proctors
24hr Theatre Project comes to Proctors
Jennifer Patterson, Times Union
For the third year in a row, WAM Theatre and The Mop & Bucket Improv Company (MopCo) will bring together more than 50 theater artists to produce the 24hr Theatre Project, with a public performance at 8 p.m. May 18, at Proctors in Schenectady.
The show will feature…
Underground Railroad play graduates from school to Proctors
Underground Railroad play graduates from school to Proctors
By Bill Buell
Gazette Reporter
There are thousands of compelling accounts relating to the Underground Railroad in the two to three decades before the Civil War, but few of them can match the drama and suspense found in the stories of Solomon Northup and Charles Nalle.
Northup, who lived much of his life in Saratoga Springs, and Nalle, who made Troy his home after escaping to freedom in 1858, have the kind of life history that, according to Maggie Mancinelli-Cahill and Jill Rafferty-Weinisch, was made for the theater. Ten years ago, the two women put their heads together to come up with “A Friend of a Friend,” and this week, after touring area schools for nine years, their play about the Capital Region’s role in the Underground Railroad will be presented at Proctors’ GE Theatre on Tuesday and Wednesday.
“The story of Solomon Northup is absolutely one of the most compelling I’ve ever read,” said Mancinelli-Cahill, producing artistic director at the Capital Repertory Theatre in Albany. “If it weren’t true, you wouldn’t believe it. Along with the Erie Canal and the women’s suffragette movement, New York has an amazing legacy, and being from the West I never realized how much of that history had to do with the Civil War and the Underground Railroad. These are great stories.”
“A Friend of a Friend” was written for Capital Rep’s education program, which in 2003 was led by Rafferty-Weinisch, now the youth director for Equinox Inc. in Albany.
‘A Friend of a Friend’
WHERE: GE Theatre at Proctors, 432 State St., Schenectady
WHEN: 10 a.m. Tuesday and Wednesday
HOW MUCH: $12-$9
MORE INFO: 382-3884, ext. 139, www.proctors.org
A GOOD FIT
“We needed something that could fit into the classroom and one class period, and there aren’t that many 45- to 50-minute plays out there,” said Rafferty-Weinisch. “We also discovered some of our material wasn’t always ideal because it didn’t quite fit the school’s curriculum exactly, so we decided to write our own play. Maggie was quite experienced at adapting material for the stage, and I came at it from the educator’s angle. I understood what schools needed.”
The playwriting team of Mancinelli-Cahill and Rafferty-Weinisch got a big assist from Jennifer Lee, an intern at Capital Rep in 2003. Lee combed the Internet looking for Underground Railroad stories relating to New York’s history and searched the collections of the New York State Archives and the Albany Institute of History & Art.
“We wanted this play to be document-based, and we wanted the words to be words that the people actually said,” said Mancinelli-Cahill. “Our researcher did a lot of great work for us, and we took a lot of material from ‘The Northern Star,’ an abolitionist newspaper printed by Stephen and Harriet Myers, two African-Americans and abolitionists right here in Albany.”
Along with going over Lee’s hard work, Mancinelli-Cahill and Rafferty-Weinisch talked to Paul and Mary Liz Stewart of the Underground Railroad Project of the Capital District.
“Jennifer was a wonderful intern, and we also met with Paul and Mary Liz Stewart, and they put us on the trail of the more interesting stories connected to this area,” said Rafferty-Weinisch. “They told us of the stories that are important to tell, and that’s what the theater is all about. The more we looked into the stories the more compelling they became.”
Much of “A Friend of a Friend” centers on the story of Northup, a free-born black man from Saratoga Springs who was kidnapped into slavery in 1841 while on a trip to Washington, D.C. Northup was taken to Louisiana and held in bondage for 12 years before finally being freed with the help of New York state and a law passed in 1840 designed to return free blacks who had been abducted into slavery.
When Northup returned to the area in 1853, he wrote a book, “Twelve Years a Slave,” and spent much of his time lecturing in support of the abolitionist cause while also working on the Underground Railroad. His later years are a bit of a mystery, and historians are uncertain of just when Northup died, suggesting it was sometime between 1864 and 1875.
ESCAPE TO TROY
Nalle, meanwhile, was born a slave in 1821 in Stevensburg, Va., and escaped north to Troy in 1858. Hired on by wealthy Troy resident Uri Gilbert as a coachman, Nalle seemed safe and secure in his new life before Blucher Hansbrough, his slave master and also his half-brother, hired a slave catcher with the intent of tracking down Nalle and taking him back to Virginia. On April 27, 1860, while on an errand for Mrs. Gilbert, Nalle was arrested by the slave catcher with the aid of a federal deputy marshal, and taken away in handcuffs to the Troy jail at First and State streets.
Nalle, however, had plenty of friends, black and white, and included in that group was famous abolitionist Harriet Tubman, who just happened to be visiting relatives in Troy. With a large crowd waiting outside the jail to help, Tubman disguised herself as an old woman looking to comfort Nalle with prayer, and got entrance into the jail. As Nalle was being moved from the building, Tubman sprang into action as did the crowd outside, and the prisoner was whisked away by his supporters to the nearby Hudson River where a boat was waiting for him. Officials were waiting for Nalle on the other side of the river in South Troy and arrested him, but once again Tubman and a large crowd came to his support and Nalle escaped, this time to Niskayuna. His friends eventually raised enough money to give Nalle his freedom and he returned to Troy.
PLAYS FOR KIDS
The shows are directed at students in grades 4-8, and Mancinelli-Cahill is hoping to come up with a few more original productions based on New York history.
“Our goal, our commitment, is to provide quality productions based on the New York school curriculum,” she said. “We want to tour throughout the entire Erie Canal corridor, and we’re going to add to our repertory by commissioning a few new plays.”
Capital Rep partners with Proctors to produce the plays, and previous original productions include “Petticoats of Steel,” about the women’s suffragette movement, and “The Remarkable and Perplexing Case of Henry H,” about the discovery of New York and the Hudson River.
Originally, Capital Rep invited schools to attend a production at its theater on South Pearl Street in Albany. That still happens, but now the Capital Rep education program takes its shows on the road.
“This show will be in 20 different locations, and Proctors will be one of them,” said Mancinelli-Cahill. “With schools going through budget crises these days, it’s not also easy for them to bus their students to Albany. So that’s why we’ve been taking the show on the road, and we’re also very excited to be putting on two productions at Proctors in the beautiful GE Theatre.”
There are three actors making up the cast of “A Friend of a Friend.” They are Kevin Craig West, Bianca Stinney and Cornelius Geaney. Terry Rabine of the Lake George Dinner Theatre is directing. There will be a 15-minute preshow discussion of the play, as well as a postshow discussion.
Local siblings featured in new autism film
Local siblings featured in new autism film
By Bill Buell
Gazette Reporter
SCHENECTADY — Buddy and C.J. are in the two-minute trailer for about five seconds, and in the full-length documentary their story is summed up in a little more than three minutes. Still, it’s a movie that Trish Washburn, their mother, put her whole heart and soul into.
“The United States of Autism,” a 90-minute film by Richard Everts, opened in New York City last week, and will enjoy its Capital Region premiere Saturday at noon at Proctors’ GE Theatre.
“We’re hoping people will watch the film and become more knowledgeable about autism,” said Washburn. “Richard Everts went around the U.S. to learn about autism from families that have kids in the autism spectrum, and the wonderful thing about this movie is that it has many different perspectives. It’s a film you can really learn from.”
Buddy Washburn is a 12-year-old at Sand Creek Middle School in the South Colonie Central School District, and his younger sister C.J., 10, goes to Forest Park Elementary School. They will be joining their mother and father, Gary, at the Proctors screening.
“There are people in the movie with severe autism, and there are people in the movie, like my children, who have a higher functioning form of autism,” said Washburn. “They’ll definitely be there with us, and we try to expose them to anything that will make them feel better able to have more of a normal life. I haven’t seen the film yet, but we’re all looking forward to it.”
Everts, who is based in Lancaster, Pa., started the film project soon after learning his own son, Tommy, had autism. He traveled more than 11,000 miles in 40 days, visiting 20 families and individuals living with autism. He showed up in Colonie at the Washburns’ home in the summer of 2010.
“He came and spent the entire day with us,” Trish Washburn said. “He did some filming at the Easter Seals’ Camp Colonie and took a lot of videotape. That’s where my kids go during the summer, and if you see the trailer, my kids are the ones holding the flag.
“We came back to the house, and then we went to see [then-state] Sen. Roy McDonald, who has two grandchildren with autism, and talked about how we had passed the autism insurance bill, and then we came back to our house. We finished the day by going to ‘hippotherapy,’ where my kids go horseback riding. He took plenty of film of them on their horse.”
The interview with McDonald, who was head of the Senate Autism Caucus, is included in the film, as are portions of the Washburn’s trip to Everybody Counts in East Berne for their hippotherapy.
Everts’ visit with the Washburns just happened to be on the final day of his journey across America. In a daily blog he wrote to document the trip, Everts included these thoughts about his visit to the Capital Region:
“What a story there is! It was exciting to hear about Trish’s work on the political level in New York, especially since she’s just an average mom who kind of got drafted for the job. The interview itself had a lot of tears and heartfelt emotion, and was a wonderful example of what has to be overcome for families to move forward in their lives. We were sorry to have to say goodbye to the family, as we had a wonderful time.”
All proceeds from the local screening of “The United States of Autism” will be donated to a Capital Region family, individual or organization affected by autism.
Women's Equality Agenda
Advocates convened in front of Proctor's Theater to urge support of the Women's Equality Agenda on Thursday morning. 100 groups and businesses across the Capital Region united to empower New York women by supporting Governor Cuomo's Women's Equality Agenda. Here Mark Renson, Owner of Ambition Cafe' states that he "stands for equality , diversity and a hope for peace and unity".
The Daily Gazette
FREE Jazz Appreciation Month Concert
The Schenectady Musical Union will present its annual free Jazz Appreciation Month Concert on
Sunday, April 14 from 3-6pm at Robb Alley, Proctors, Schenectady.
In partnership with the Schenectady County Initiative Program, the concert will feature The Dylan Canterbury Quintet and Keith Pray’s Soul Jazz Revival. Each will demonstrate the art of the “jam session,” an informal gathering of musicians to play improvised or unrehearsed music. Jam sessions have always been at the heart of jazz, with musicians free to experiment with their music, learn from each other and expand the possibilities of jazz as an art form.
Playing with Dylan Canterbury will be Dylan Canterbury (trumpet), Brian Patneaude (saxophone), Rob Lindquist (piano), Lou Smaldone (bass) and Nat Coyne (drums).
Playing with Keith Pray will be Keith Pray (saxophone), Scott Bassinson (keyboards), Ed Torgue (bass), Bobby Halek (drums) and Jim Wilson (guitar).
Tim Coakley will receive the 2013 JAZZ HERO AWARD for his musicianship in jazz, his dedication to the promotion of jazz as President of A Place for Jazz, the Schenectady Gazette and his weekly Saturday evening jazz show for WAMC 90.3FM. Bill McCann, representing the Jazz Journalist Association, will present the award.
Dylan Canterbury Bio: A recent graduate of the esteemed jazz studies program at SUNY Purchase, trumpeter/composer/arranger Dylan Canterbury began his studies at the age of 8, and began playing jazz not long after. By the time he was in high school, Canterbury was already performing with a wide variety of groups, including the acclaimed Empire State Youth Jazz Ensemble and the NYSSMA Zone 7 Area All State Jazz Ensemble. In addition to performing locally with a number of youth honors groups, Canterbury was selected to be the lead trumpeter/soloist with the New York All State Jazz Ensemble, as well as being selected as a member of the All-Eastern High School Jazz Ensemble his senior year.
While at Purchase, Canterbury was a member of the Purchase Jazz Orchestra (under the direction of Todd Coolman) and Purchase Latin Jazz Orchestra (under the direction of Ray Vega and Arturo O'Farrill). As a member of these ensembles, he has performed at the world-renowned Dizzy's Club Coca Cola (with the PJO) and Birdland (with the PLJO). While at Purchase, Canterbury studied privately under jazz trumpet greats Jon Faddis, Jim Rotondi and Ray Vega, in addition to working with other notables such as saxophonists Steve Wilson, Jimmy Greene, and Jon Gordon, trombonist John Fedchock, guitarist Randy Johnston, pianists Hal Galper, Pete Malinverni, and Charles Blenzig, and drummer John Riley.
In addition to performing at Purchase, Canterbury has performed with the Grammy-winning Arturo O'Farrill and the Afro-Latin Jazz Orchestra, as well as being a member of the newly-formed Smoke Big Band, which performs weekly at the renowned jazz club Smoke each Thursday under the leadership of trumpeter/arranger Bill Mobley. In addition to these performances, Canterbury has been fortunate enough to share the stage with jazz greats Jon Faddis, Terrell Stafford, Eric Alexander, Jimmy Greene, Bob Mintzer, Ralph Lalama, Conrad Herwig, John Fedchock, Renee Rosnes, David Hazeltine, Bill Cunliffe, and John Riley. Locally, he has performed with Brian Patneaude, Adrian Cohen, Joe Barna, Lee Russo, Alex Torres and the Latin Kings, the Keith Pray Big Soul Band, and the Joey Thomas Big Band.
Keith Pray Bio: North Country native saxophonist Keith Pray has been performing professionally since the age of 16. During his career, Keith has had the opportunity to perform in many different genres and with hundreds of professional groups. Keith has performed with Benny Golson, Mark Vinci, Temptations, Empire Jazz Orchestra, Alex Torres' Latin Kings, Cole Broderick Quartet, Caged Monkey, L.O.S. and many others.
Beginning his saxophone studies at age 15, Keith went on to study music at Schenectady County Community College studying with Bill Meckley, Brett Wery and John Aasmunstad. After two years he transferred to the Crane School of Music (SUNY Potsdam) and studied with Robert Faub and Brett Zvacek. After receiving his degree, Keith began honing his skills in the Capital District. After 4 great years Keith decided it was time to move on to New York City.
Living the last 3 plus years in Queens, Keith has finished his master’s degree in Jazz Performance at the Aaron Copland School of Music. It was here that he was able to study with Antonio Hart, Mark Vinci, Sir Roland Hanna, Michael Mossman and Todd Williams.
Keith recently released his first CD under his own name entitled "Rhythm of the Blues". He is currently teaching and performing around the Northeast, including several regional festivals, most recently the Freihofer's Jazz Festival at SPAC.
See keithpray.com for more.
The Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Event
The Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Event
Posted by Rich on Did You Weekend?
"Elvis Lives showcases the King’s iconic style and velvety voice that continue to inspire audiences of all generations."
Kodo will perform exciting taiko drumming at Proctors
Kodo will perform exciting taiko drumming at Proctors
By Phil Drew
SCHENECTADY — The tradition of taiko drumming, a distinctively Japanese percussive art involving the ensemble playing of two-headed drums in a variety of sizes and styles, extends back more than two millennia.
“Taiko drumming itself had long been connected with ceremonial settings, mostly in Buddhism and...
Kodo brings Japanese drumming, movement spectacle to Proctors
Kodo brings Japanese drumming, movement spectacle to Proctors
By Michael Eck
Times Union
The troupe of Japanese drummers, which comes to Proctors on Friday, has become legendary for its sinuous, synchronized taiko performances, which meld traditional drumming with modern dance elements and contemporary rhythms to create hypnotic, thrumming displays of power and grace.
But to become a member of Kodo, apprentices must live together in an old schoolhouse on...
CATHY RIGBY IS PETER PAN
THE ULTIMATE FAMILYEXPERIENCE!
COMING TO SCHENECTADY FOR A LIMITED ENGAGEMENT
Audiences are invited to discover the magic of the two-time Emmy Award winning and two-time Tony® Award nominated production: Cathy Rigby is PETER PAN! Families and fans have their chance to ‘fly’ into Proctors with this magical production, running April 9-14. Tickets available via Tickets by Proctors at (518) 346-6204 or online at proctors.org.
PETER PAN is a unique, family friendly attraction of spectacle and fantasy. The thrill of flying, timeless magical moments and a captivating hook will mesmerize young and old alike. The legend you thought you knew, is now the adventure you never dreamed possible…Cathy Rigby is PETER PAN!
Joining the Tony® Award nominee Cathy Rigby is Broadway’s Brent Barrett as Mr. Darling/Hook. Brent has entertained millions of fans around the world from Broadway to the West End, concerts halls, recording studios, film and television. Kim Crosby (Cinderella in the original Into the Woods, Guys and Dolls (Sarah Brown), Jerry’s Girls) returns to play Mrs. Darling.
PETER PAN is produced by McCoy Rigby Entertainment, Nederlander Presentations, and Albert Nocciolino in association with Larry Earl Payton, Michael Filerman, Heni Koenigsberg and La Mirada Theatre For The Performing Arts. Direction by Glenn Casale who directed the 1999 Tony® Award nominated and Emmy winning PETER PAN starring Cathy Rigby. Mr. Casale has been a resident at the California Musical Theatre for almost 23 seasons where he has directed over 550 shows. The flying sequence choreographer, Paul Rubin, "The Fly Guy", has choreographed some of the most memorable flying sequences from the Tony® Award winning Broadway production of Wicked to Cathy Rigby's Emmy Award winning DVD of PETER PAN. He has flown Cathy in over 1500 performances and choreographed flying sequences in over 300 different productions of Peter Pan in more than 10 countries. The creative team includes Patti Colombo (Choreographer), Bruce Barnes (Musical Director), Julia Flores (Casting Director), Emmy Award winner for art direction of the A&E broadcast of PETER PAN John Iacovelli (Scenic Designer), Shigeru Yaji (Costume Designer), Michael Gilliam (Lighting Designer), Julie Ferrin (Sound Designer), Mitchell Hale (Wig and Hairstyle Designer) and Sean Boyd (Fight Director).
McCOY RIGBY ENTERTAINMENT (Tom McCoy & Cathy Rigby - Executive Producers) Tom McCoy and Cathy Rigby are in their 19th season as Executive Producers of the McCoy Rigby Entertainment Series at La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts. Since the 1994/95 Season, McCoy Rigby has produced over 75 plays, musicals, concerts, dramas, and comedies. MRE has also produced several Broadway productions and National Tours including Peter Pan, Seussical the Musical both starring Cathy Rigby, Jesus Christ Superstar starring Carl Anderson, Camelot formerly starring Michael York and through 2008, starring Lou Diamond Phillips, and Happy Days, The Musical.
Since 1990, Peter Pan starring Cathy Rigby has made 4 stops on Broadway, garnering four Tony Nominations including Best Revival of a Musical and Best Actress in a Musical. Other credits include the A&E Television Network Premiere of “Peter Pan,” which received 4 Emmy Award Nominations and one Emmy Award; “The Historic All Star Concert for Pope John Paul II” at the Los Angeles Coliseum, and the award-winning documentary on balancing wellness, titled “Faces of Recovery.” www.mccoyrigby.com
“PETER PAN sparkles with fairy dust! Rigby has mastered the boy who wouldn’t grow up.” – Washington Post.
KODO
Schenectady, NY – March 25, 2013 – Japan’s most critically acclaimed performing arts ensemble, KODO, comes to Proctors Mainstage on Friday, March 29 at 8pm.
Kodo One Earth Tour 2013: Legend features the limitless possibilities of the traditional Japanese drum, the taiko, and is influenced by the group’s musical vision, shaped by its home of Sado Island. Kodo’s percussive fireworks and unique lifestyle reflect the ancient, complex traditions of the Japanese drum and the group harnesses its power to create something beyond music. To see Kodo is to witness the evolution of hundreds of years of Japanese performing arts reinterpreted and honed by a group of consummate artists who have made this their life’s work for the past three decades.
The group has also nurtured a new approach to staging and set design, which conjures the spirit of Kodo’s wooden rehearsal hall to the world’s stages. Instead of hiding the drums backstage until needed, most of the instruments remain in view, much as they do in the wooden hall where the group creates its music. This brings a fresh vigor to the performance, highlighting the simple but beautiful forms created by drum, musician, and empty space, drawing the audience into the Kodo community.
Kodo’s Artistic Director Tamasaburo Bando says of the show, “In this production, I wanted to create a performance that pays homage to the profound expressions of Kodo to date, adds splendor and levity, and harmonizes all elements into a single flow that undulates throughout the program. I have also composed new pieces in the hopes that they will be passed on to future generations.”
To purchase tickets to KODO, call Tickets by Proctors at 518-346-6204 or visit proctors.org.
ARTURO SANDOVAL
Schenectady, NY – March 26, 2013 – Proctors proudly presents world-renowned musician Arturo Sandoval on Proctors Mainstage, Friday, April 5. The show will begin at 8 pm.
Vivacious, talented and charismatic, Arturo Sandoval has traveled the world touting his own blend of infectious, mind-blowing jazz that has earned him Grammy® and Billboard Awards, an Emmy and thousands of fans the world over. For one night only, Arturo Sandoval will be bringing his talents to Proctors to share his music with the Capital Region.
ABOUT ARTURO SANDOVAL
A protégé of the legendary jazz master Dizzy Gillespie, Sandoval was born in Artemisa, a small town in the outskirts of Havana, Cuba on November 6, 1949, just two years after Gillespie became the first musician to bring Latin Influences into American Jazz. Sandoval began studying the classical trumpet at the age of twelve, and has since evolved into one of the world’s most acknowledged guardians of jazz trumpet and flugelhorn, as well as a distinguished classical artist, pianist, and composer.
He is one of the most dynamic and vibrant live performers of our time, and along with 9 Grammy® Awards, 17 Grammy® nominations, 6 Billboard Awards and an Emmy that he has received for his performances as an artist, he has also collaborated with artists such as Alicia Keys, Celine Dion, Justin Timberlake, Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett, Rod Stewart, and many others.
Sandoval over the span of his life in music has performed with many artists and groups. The group, Irakere, of which Sandoval was a founding member, exploded onto the scene creating a sensation in the music world with their stylistic mixture of jazz, classical, rock and traditional Cuban music. Since his time with Irakere, Sandoval has performed with the London Symphony Orchestra, and continues to make appearances with John William’s with the Boston Pops. He has established himself as a composer producing much of his own music and scores for Orchestra around the world.
When speaking of Arturo Sandoval’s virtuoso technical ability or his screaming high notes that many musicians can only dream of hitting, his ability to lyrically improvise a ballad on the piano, or the diversity of his music, from his compositions of the most straight ahead jazz, Latin Jazz or classical, you must mention that he is one of the most prominent, brilliant, multifaceted and renowned musicians of our time.
To purchase tickets, call Tickets by Proctors at 518-346-6204 or visit proctors.org.
