Community Corner

Port Chester Council For The Arts Set To Kick Off Summer Theatre Season

2012 season includes Godspell, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Peter Pan, Much Ado About Nothing.

A reunion show and a Shakespeare in the park production highlight the 31st summer theatre season of the Port Chester Council for the Arts.

The shows, presented in cooperation with the Village of Port Chester, feature the talents of children, teens and adults from the Town of Rye and the surrounding communities.

The season opens July 13 and 14 with “Godspell.”

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This reunion show stars alumni from all the previous PCCFA productions of this popular musical. PCCFA Executive Director Denise Colangelo co-directs this performance with her daughter, Christina Colangelo, a multiple Metropolitan High School Theater Award nominee. Cindy Moore returns as musical director.

Based on the gospel of Matthew, “Godspell” presents the story of Jesus and his disciples through a series of skits and songs set in modern day society. Stephen Schwartz wrote the songs and John-Michael Tebelak the book. Memorable songs from the show include “Beautiful City,” “We Beseech Thee” and “By My Side.”

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To reserve tickets, call the Council offices at 914-939-3183 or email PortChestercfa@gmail.com. Tickets are cash or check only.

Tickets are $18 general public, $15 for seniors 65 and older and children 12 and under. All performances are at 8 PM at the Girl Scout House, 60 Parkway Drive, Port Chester, NY.

The Youth/Teen Theatre production of “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” follows on July 20 and 21, directed by Kelly Budde, with musical direction by Cindy Moore. Andrew Lloyd Webber wrote the music and Tim Rice the lyrics.

The show tells the Old Testament story of Joseph, the favorite son of Jacob, who finds himself blessed with prophetic dreams. Sold into slavery by his jealous brothers, he’s taken to Egypt where he endures a series of adventures that challenge his spirit and humanity. Eventually his suffering brothers find their way to Egypt groveling at the feet of a stranger, who turns out to be their grown brother Joseph. In the end, he shows them compassion and they reconcile.

Tickets are $12 general public, $10 for seniors 65 and older and children 12 and under. All performances are at 7:30 PM at the Dunn Performing Arts Center at Rye Country Day School, Cedar Street, Rye, NY.

A cast of 82 takes the stage in the Children’s Theatre presentation of “Peter Pan” July 27 and 28, featuring an original script by Diane Linen. Julie Colangelo directs the story of Peter, Captain Hook, Wendy and the Lost Boys in Neverland, with musical direction by Cindy Moore.

Tickets are $12 general public, $10 for seniors 65 and older and children 12 and under. All performances are at 7:30 PM at the Dunn Performing Arts Center at Rye Country Day School, Cedar Street, Rye, NY.

Peter Green returns as director for the seventh season of LawnChair Theatre’s Shakespeare production, “Much Ado About Nothing,” August 3, 4, 9, 10 and 11 in parks throughout the Town of Rye. Carin Zakes produces.

This version is set in 1917 and the director describes it as “Shakespeare meets Downton Abbey.” Young lovers Claudio and Hero find their wedding ruined when the villainous Don John slanders the bride-to-be. Hero’s family pretends she’s died from shock, but eventually Don John’s evil plan is revealed. When Claudio learns Hero is still alive, the young lovers are reunited, while Don John is captured and punished for his crime.

Suggested donations are $15 general public and $10 for seniors 65 and older and children 12 and under. All performances are at 5:45 PM. For rain date updates, visit www.lawnchairtheatre.org.

The venue schedule is as follows:

August 3, Rye Town Park, Dearborn Avenue, Rye, NY

August 4, Pine Ridge Park, corner of Latonia Drive and Mohegan Lane, Rye Brook, NY

August 9 & 11, Lyon Park, 60 Parkway Drive, Port Chester, NY

August 10, Crawford Park, 122 N. Ridge Street, Rye Brook, NY

Founded in 1981, the Port Chester Council for the Arts is committed to providing high-quality, innovative programs that build and encourage cooperation and community through artistic experience, and inspiring an appreciation of creative expression and new ways of thinking. To learn more, check out www.portchestercfa.org.

CAST LISTS FOR PCCFA 2012 SUMMER THEATRE SEASON

Godspell

Jesus: Andy LaBella, Port Chester

Judas: Jeffery Aldana, Port Chester

Rest of cast:

Brian Beadle, Port Chester

Kaitlin Carey, Katonah

Christina Colangelo, Port Chester

Julie Colangelo, Port Chester

Carolina Crespo, Port Chester

Brian Crosby, Port Chester

Margaret Crosby, Port Chester

Zachary Dore-Flynn, Port Chester

Stacey Lurie, Rye Brook

Amanda Mickatavage, Port Chester

Tracy O’Sullivan, Yonkers

Jill Verrastro, Port Chester

Peter Pan

Leads in cast of 82

Peter Pan: Sasha Spitz, Rye

Wendy Darling: Taylor Masi, Port Chester

John Darling: Charlie Storck, Larchmont

Michael Darling: Andrew Glener, Mamaroneck

Tinker bell: Grace Herbert, Port Chester

Tiger Lily: Christina Ledesma, Rye Brook

Hook: Jimmy Mitchell, Port Chester

Smee: Ryan Heffernan, Port Chester

Mr. Darling: Robert Mickatavage, Port Chester

Mrs. Darling: Grace Simmons, Port Chester

Eliza: Shannon Maguire, Port Chester

 

Much Ado About Nothing

Don Pedro: Larry Reina, Port Chester

Don John: David Ryan, Ardsley

Claudio: Phillip Hahn, Stamford, Conn.

Benedick: Michael Limone, Stamford, Conn.

Leonato: John Fotia, Port Chester

Balthazar: Kiah Thomas, Port Chester

Borachio: Andrew Benowich, Rye Brook

Dogberry: Charles Krause, Port Chester

Friar Francis: Bruce Pearl, Cortland Manor

Hero: Maureen Fleming, Katonah

Beatrice: Melissa Schleier, Norwalk, Conn.

Margaret: Glwendolyn Wiegold, Rye

Conrade: Josh Miller, Yorktown

Verges: Steve Simmons, Port Chester

Watch: Craig Campanaro, Dobbs Ferry

Ursula: Liana Bekker, Montebello

The cast list for Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat is still to come.


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