WPCNR STAGE DOOR. From Kathleen Davisson, White Plains Performing Arts Center. November 9,2009 (EDITED): The White Plains Performing Arts Center announced its winter season today in a news release today. The sixth season begins December 4, highlighted December 11 through December 13 with the debut of We are Lights, ‘Tis the Seaons and More, an original review featuring Tony Award Winner, Melba Moore (Purlie, Hair, Les Miz), Kevin Earley (A Tale of Two Cities), Marsha Waterbury (Mamma Mia, Days of Our Lives), Celina Carvajal (Tarzan), Kathy Deitch (Wicked), and more.
In addition to the holiday show, the theatre will present a selection of holiday entertainments: On December 4, Mistletunes, featuring Squeaky & Clean, a rock and roll group playing and celebrating different cultural holiday traditions.Twas the Night Before Christmas is a musical review of the Santa classic, presented December 5 The Calpulli Mexican Dance Company performs a colorful dance extravaganza on January 31.
The Westchester Philharmonic Holiday Brass Quintet performs the first of four concerts December 6 playing baroque to pops to seasonal holiday favorites.
The lineup for the rest of the 09-10 season:
‘Tis the Season and More,” "a scripted and choreographed Holiday concert: is a "jubilant, upscale celerbration of the Holidays." In addition to Ms. Moore, Mr. Earley and Ms. Waterbury, Ms. Deitch and Ms Carvajal, the production features a cast of Broadway, film and television greats: Liz Larson (Hairspray), Jodie Langel (Les Miz),Jana Robbins (Gypsy),Cindy Robinson (Peter Pan) and the talented Craig Laurie, Chase Matthews and Elizabeth Torres.
Returning to the White Plains theatre for "Tis the Season," are WPPAC favorite performers Cris Groenendaal, Carlos Lopez and Nick Wyman, who will host. Under the direction of Walter Winston O’Neil and music director Kim Douglas Steiner, the four performances run from Friday, December 11 through Sunday, December 13. An opportunity for local performers to join the Broadway stars on stage will be offered through auditions to be held at the Theatre later this month.
“Charlie and the Chocolate Factory”, the beloved children’s story, will be presented in American Sign Language and spoken English on April 24th by a cast of deaf and hearing performers.
The second in a series of Westchester Philharmonic Concerts will be performed on Sunday, February 28th, when the Philharmonic’s string quartet will chase away the winter blues with music of Mendelssohn and Haydn.
The Westchester Phil's series concludes on Sunday, March 28th, with jazz music led by renowned Philharmonic percussionist Jim Saporito. The trio will perform selections from The Great American Songbook and jazz originals from their new CD.
Other offerings in the Broadway concert series include: “Mancini and Moonlight” starring Edward Watts and Jenn Gambetese (Tarzan and All Shook Up) on Saturday, February 13.
“Musicals That Rock” is a must see for audiences who enjoy contemporary musical theatre presented by a star studded cast of Broadway veterans on Friday March 12 through Sunday, March 14.
Fascinating Gershwin celebrates the music of George and Ira Gershwin with the incredible pianist Joseph Joubert, the stunning soprano Rosena Hill (last seen on the WPPAC White Plains stage in Ragtime) joined by baritone Nathaniel Stampley (The Lion King, The Color Purple) on Sunday, April 25.
Rogers and Hammerstein Celebration is presented on Sunday, May 9th, starring Teri Dale Hansen (The Boys from Syracuse) and Nat Chandler (The Scarlet Pimpernel).
The final concert of the season, Today’s Broadway celebrates current Broadway musicals performed by stars of contemporary shows including Leah Hocking (Billy Elliott), Sarah Uriarte Berry (The Light in the Piazza) and Norm Lewis (The Little Mermaid) on Saturday, June 12th.
Forbidden Hollywood, a hilarious spoof of film classics in the vein of Forbidden Broadway”, runs on Saturday, May 15th.
The White Plains Performing Arts Center (WPPAC) sixth Winter/Spring season produced by the White Plains Performing Arts Center Foundation will be presented at its White Plains theatre, located on the third level of the City Center complex in downtown White Plains. The productions appeal to a wide audience of children, families, serious music lovers and fans of the most beloved Broadway performers, shows, composers and lyricists.
For further information about these events, updated cast listings and additional productions being added to the season schedule, visit www.wppac.com or call 914-328-1600.
Note: In the first edition of this announcement, WPCNR reported the Calpulli Mexican Dance Company would perform New Year's Eve. That was incorrect, they will be performing January 31.
