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Home Made Theater Presents Peter Pan, A Musical Adventure Feb. 23 – March 3

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Entertainment.

HMT Presents Peter Pan Feb. 23 – March 3 at Spa Little Theater. Eli Buck as John, Jacob D’Agostino as Michael, Sophia DeMasi as Wendy, and Lauren Berkman as Peter Pan. Photo: Dawn Oesch.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — For two weekends, starting on Friday, Feb. 23, Home Made Theater will present Peter Pan, A Musical Adventure, with music by George Stiles, lyrics by Anthony Drewe and book by Willis Hall. 

The legend of Peter Pan has been delighting people for over 100 years, and this faithful new version is a festive adventure, perfect for the whole family. 

The Director of Peter Pan, A Musical Adventure is Dawn Oesch, who has previously directed the Home Made Theater productions of Mamma Mia!, Young Frankenstein, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, and last season’s sold out run of The Sound of Music. 

Returning as Musical Director is Richard Cherry, who collaborated with Oesch on The Sound of Music among many other productions. The Choreographer is Johnny Martinez, the artistic team includes Scenic Designer Eric Rudy, Lighting Designer Steve Moulton, Costume Designer Sherry Recinella, Sound Designers Anne-Marie Baker and Tom Moeller, Properties Designer Christina Toppin, and Production Stage Manager Susan Turner.

In addition to a cast of faces both familiar and new to Home Made Theater audiences, the company will be conducting online fundraising auctions for the role of Tinkerbell for each performance. A link to the bidding for this walk-on will be on homemadetheater.org. 

Performances: Friday, Feb. 23 at 7:30 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 24 at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., and Sunday, Feb. 25 at 2 p.m. The second weekend: Thursday, Feb. 29 at 7:30 p.m., Friday, March 1 at 7:30 p.m., Saturday, March 2 at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., and Sunday, March 3 at 2 p.m. All performances are at The Spa Little Theater in the Saratoga Spa State Park. Tickets are $35 and are available on Home Made Theater’s website, www.homemadetheater.org, or by calling 518-587-4427 during box office hours (Mon.-Fri. from noon-4 p.m.).

Midnight Mass is Back in Saratoga Springs with Spring EDM Show “Bloomin’”

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Entertainment.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Midnight Mass is back for its second iteration at Universal Preservation Hall (UPH) in Saratoga Springs. 

The electronic dance music experience is back Saturday, April 6 with “Bloomin’.” 

The event features new DJs for an immersive musical journey: Crusy is one of Spain’s more influential artists of recent years, having recently collaborated with some of the industry’s biggest names. Jenn Getz & Alfie burst onto the scene from the UK to become Dubai’s only female DJ duo. Also joining the experience is local DJ junglePunk. 

Tickets are available through the Box Office at Proctors in-person, via phone at 518-346-6204 Monday-Saturday 10 a.m.-6 p.m. or online by visiting atuph.org. 

James Taylor –Live at SPAC Sept. 2

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James Taylor & his All-Star Band take the stage in the Spa City in September.

SARATOGA SPRINGS —James Taylor & His All-Star Band will perform live at Saratoga Performing Arts Center on Sept. 2. Tickets go on sale on Friday at LiveNation.com. 

Over the course of a songwriting and performing career that has spanned more than a half-century, Taylor has sold more than 100 million albums, earning gold, platinum and multi-platinum awards since the release of his self-titled debut album in 1968. 

In November 2015, Taylor was presented with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the Nation’s highest civilian honor and in December of 2016 he received the Kennedy Center Honors, which are presented annually to individuals who have enriched American culture by distinguished achievement in the performing arts.  

In early 2020 he released Break Shot, an audio-only memoir detailing his first 21 years. He also released his newest album, American Standard, his 19th studio album.

Live at SPAC: Primus, Coheed And Cambria, Fishbone

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Primus announces summer show at SPAC.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Primus, Coheed And Cambria, and special guests Fishbone will share the stage at Saratoga Performing Arts Center Aug. 12. 

Primus kicks off their lengthy tour in Boston, Massachusetts in early April and concludes in Colorado in late August. 

Tickets go on sale Friday at livenation.com. 

Fresh Interpretation Of Shakespeare Comedy At UAlbany

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ALBANY — The Theatre Program of the University at Albany’s Department of Music and Theatre will  present The Taming of the Shrew, Shakespeare’s classic comedy of the battle between the sexes, in a fresh interpretation directed by Ryan Garbayo and featuring a company of over 60 actors, designers and crew members. 

There will be six public performances at the UAlbany Performing Arts Center on the uptown University at Albany campus from March 6 through 10. The schedule includes shows on Wednesday & Thursday, March 6 & 7 at 8 p.m.; Friday, March 8 at 3 p.m.; Saturday, March 9 at 2 p.m. & 8 p.m.; and Sunday, March 10 at 3 p.m.  

While Shrew has survived for four centuries, it is performed much less frequently in the 21st century. In this production, gender is flipped on its head with nearly all the roles played by female-identifying students, embodying masculine archetypes — including Petruchio who comes to woo the “waspish” Kate. 

Advance tickets are $17 for the general public and $12 for students, senior citizens and UAlbany faculty-staff.  Tickets purchased on the day of the show are $22 for the general public and $17 for students, seniors and UAlbany faculty-staff.  All tickets must be purchased on-line from the UAlbany Performing Arts Center’s site at www.albany.edu/pac/tickets.  Information and assistance can be obtained by contacting the UAlbany Performing Arts Center’s main office at 518-442-3995 or pac@albany.edu

Casting Call: New York City Ballet to Hold Auditions for 24 Local Children to Fill Summer Roles

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SARATOGA SPRINGS — Area children are invited to audition to dance with New York City Ballet during its Saratoga season, July 9 – 13.

Auditions will be held 10 a.m. Sunday, March 10 at the SPAC School of the Arts (located behind the National Museum of Dance School), 99 South Broadway. Audition check-in on March 10 will commence at 9 a.m. and advance registration is required by Thursday, March 7. 

Auditions are for 24 childrens’ roles in scenes from George Balanchine’s Coppélia, which first premiered at SPAC in 1974. New York City Ballet Children’s Repertory Director Dena Abergel leads the auditions. 

“Bringing scenes from Coppélia back to SPAC, where it first premiered 50 years ago, is a special way to honor the legacy of our beloved New York City Ballet, while also giving local children an unforgettable opportunity to perform on our stage,” said Elizabeth Sobol, President & CEO of Saratoga Performing Arts Center, in a statement.  

Casting for Coppélia includes roles for 24 girls who are 9 to 13 years old between four feet, two inches and five feet, one inches tall. At least two years of ballet training is encouraged. Understudies will also be cast. 

Rehearsals for selected dancers will be held from June 30 to July 12 at the SPAC School of the Arts and at the SPAC amphitheater. 

Scenes from Coppélia will be featured as part of the Swan Lake & Stars and Stripes program on Friday, July 12 at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday, July 13 at 2 p.m., in addition to opening night’s NYCB On and Off Stage program on Tuesday, July 9 at 7:30 p.m. 

Visit spac.org for more details.

Albany Symphony Names David Hyslop Interim Executive Director

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ALBANY — The Albany Symphony announced the appointment of David Hyslop as interim executive director. 

Hyslop’s resume includes 58 years in the orchestra industry, acting as the former CEO to the Minnesota Orchestra, Saint Louis Symphony, Oregon Symphony, and the Dallas Symphony Orchestra, as well as the interim executive director for more than 15 musical organizations. He was born in Schenectady. 

Hyslop has spent 32 of his 58-year career as the chief executive officer for three of the nation’s top symphony orchestras including the Minnesota Orchestra (1991-2003), St. Louis Symphony (1978-1991), and Oregon Symphony (1972-1978). Since 2004, Hyslop has spearheaded consulting projects throughout the country. His many consulting projects have included executive searches, strategic planning, development feasibility studies for endowment campaigns, and the Wheaton Grand Theater redevelopment and business planning project in Illinois.

SPAC Presents “Dial up the 90s” with 5th Grade Students

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“Dial up the 90s” presented at Malta Avenue Elementary School on Feb. 8, 2024. Photo: SuperSource Media.

SARATOGA SPRINGS —Saratoga Performing Arts Center launched its public school dance residency in the Ballston Spa Central School District with 70 students from Malta Avenue Elementary School on Feb. 8. 

The students performed to music recorded by Janet Jackson, Boyz II Men, NSYNC, Jennifer Lopez, and others in a presentation called “Dial up the 90s.”

For 10 weeks, the entire 5th grade at Malta Avenue Elementary School participated in lessons held once a week, led by highly-trained SPAC teaching artists Michael Zygo, Frankie Soldevere, Jen Manino-Larrea and with musicians Brian Melick and Elizabeth Woodbury Kasius.

The program is part of SPAC’s commitment to youth arts education.

Beach Boys’ Endless Summer Gold Tour Stages at SPAC in May

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Beach Boys at Saratoga May 25.

SARATOGA SPRINGS —The Beach Boys bring their iconic Southern Californian sound to Saratoga Performing Arts Center Saturday, May 25 as part of their “Endless Summer Gold” 2024 tour. 

The Beach Boys are led by lead singer and chief lyricist Mike Love, who, along with longtime member Bruce Johnston, musical director Brian Eichenberger, Christian Love, Tim Bonhomme, Jon Bolton, Keith Hubacher, Randy Leago and John Wedemeyer continue the legacy of the iconic band.

Dave Mason, of the band Traffic and of solo artist merit, will open. 

For tickets, go online to: livenation.com. 

What’s Going On: Rochmon Record Club Stages Marvin Gaye Listening Party on Tuesday

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Bulletin Board material: Rochmon Record Club stages a Listening Party focusing on Marvin Gaye’s LP “What’s Going On,” at Caffe Lena on Feb. 20.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Rochmon Record Club will converge at Caffe’ Lena on Tuesday, Feb. 20 to listen to and learn about Marvin Gaye’s epic concept album – “What’s Going On.” 

Gaye’s protest album, released in 1971, takes listeners to the heart of the issues still unresolved today. “What’s Going On” includes the title song, “Save the Children,” “Mercy, Mercy Me,” “Inner City Blues,” and five other tracks. 

Doors open at 6:30 p.m., and the show begins at 7 p.m. with a live audio & video presentation by Chuck Vosganian aka “Rochmon.”

A Rochmon Record Club Listening Party is meant to inform and deepen our understanding of the history of the individual performers, songs and the stories that went into the making of this classic album. By listening together, we hear the music again for the first time. Rochmon Record Club takes place on the 3rd Tuesday of the month at Caffe’ Lena in Saratoga Springs. Go to: caffelena.org.