New York: Urban Stages (Frances Hill, Founding Artistic Director) is proud to announce their 2012-13 season, beginning with the 20 Year Anniversary Celebration of Urban Stages ON TOUR with Urban Stages OCTOBERFEST (October 7-November 4), followed by the award-winning “Winter Rhythms 2012†(December 4-16, 2012) a music-fueled two-weeks of established and promising musical artists performing new works. Finally, this upcoming March, Urban Stages will present the world premiere of Greg Kalleres’ play “HONKY’ at Urban Stages (259 West 30 Street.)
For the past 20 Years, Urban Stages ON TOUR, has brought original family friendly performances to schools and libraries throughout the five boroughs. Beginning October 7 through November 4, Urban Stages will present shows featured in their award-winning Urban Stages ON TOUR Series. These shows, in addition to a slate of performances for kids, will focus on the lives of heroic woman in history including – Sacagawea, Mae Jemison, Frida Kahlo and Melba Patillo Beals (Little Rock Nine). These plays bring to the stage the courage, determination, and fortitude of women who have helped to define our history (Full schedule listed below).
Urban Stages’ award-winning musical series Winter Rhythms (Dec. 4-15, 2012) will celebrate its fourth year and will benfit Urban Stages ON TOUR Outreach Programs. For the second consecutive year, Peter Napolitano (award-winning director/writer/producer) will be programming an ambitious mix of solo and group shows featuring acclaimed performers and musicians from the worlds of Broadway, cabaret, jazz, classical and contemporary music. This year’s artists and shows scheduled to date include Tony Award winner Adriane Lenox and Tony nominee Robert Cuccioli; famed composer/musical director Glen Roven’s Poetic License, an evening of theatre and opera stars including David Garrison and Daniel Okulitch performing poetry and art songs; a special birthday tribute to Frank Sinatra with musical direction by William Zeffiro; Jazz Jam with veteran pianist/musical director Barry Levitt, his trio and guest vocalists; excerpts from new American musicals by members and alumni of the BMI Lehman Engel Musical Theatre Workshop; and more surprises to be announced.
Opening this March, Urban Stages will present the world premiere of Greg Kalleres’HONKY. HONKY is a dark comedy that takes a satirical look at the relationship between racism and commercialism, while asking the question – is white guilt only for white people?
URBAN STAGES OCTOBER FEST (schedule)
Sunday, October 7th at 1:30pm
South of the Border: Latin American Folktales by Liz Parker and Rachel Sullivan – Puppets, masks, and dance fill this trio of bilingual stories from Ecuador, Peru, and Cuba. Performed by Flor Bromley.
Sunday, October 7th at 3:30pm
Abracadabra – Children’s magician, Evan Paquette, shares a few tricks of the trade in a mini lesson and magic show.
Sunday, October 14th at 1:30pm
Blown Away By Poetry – by Liz Parker and Rachel Sullivan. After Wendy Windstorm blows the Poetry out of Poetsville she enlists the help of her puppet friends and young poets’ in the audience to solve the problem.
Sunday, October 14th at 3:30pm
Harvest Moon – The Colorado Sisters share some of their favorite stories in this collection of Native American Indian tales. Performed by Elvira and Hortencia Colorado.
Sunday, October 21 at 1:30pm
Rhythm and Sound – In this interactive workshop, percussionist Rex Benincasa brings audience members to the stage to play percussive instruments from around the world.
Sunday, October 21 at 3:30pm
Last Pinetree on Eagle Mountain – by Laura Maria Censabella and Frank Cuthbert – The Eagle and Pine Tree become environmentalists and form an unlikely friendship in this new musical. Directed by Tim Connell and Rachel Sullivan.
Sunday, October 28th at1:30pm
Jessie and the Case of the Missing Candy – by Laura Konsin Shortt: Jessie, a young detective, must solve an important Halloween-inspired mystery in this song and dance filled adventure. Directed by Rachel Sullivan and Performed by Liz Parker , followed by a Halloween Party/Craft
URBAN STAGES ON TOUR IN REP
OCT. 22-NOV. 4TH. ALL shows begin at 7:30pm unless otherwise noted (Run approximately 60 Minutes)
Sacagawea: Bird Woman – October 22nd, 25th & Nov 4th
by Williams S Yellow Robe Jr. Sacagawea brings two worlds together as she guides the Lewis and Clark expedition and survives an incredible journey. Directed by Steve Elm. Performed by Tanis Parenteau.
Up and Up:The Dr. Mae Jemison Story October 23rd & Nov 3rd
by Antoinette Mullins- Explores the journey of the first African American woman to travel to space. Directed by Rachel Sullivan and Performed by Taryn Anderson.
Frida October 26th & Nov 2nd (Nov. 2nd is a special performance, tickets available at www.urbanstages.org)
by Brigitte Viellieu-Davis: Frida Kahlo makes a visit during The Day of the Dead to share her story and life experiences in this play with music. Directed by Lydia Fort.
Warriors Don’t Cry October 24th & 27th
Eisa Davis: Chronicles the experience of Melba Pattillo Beals, one of “The Little Rock Nine” students who integrated Central High School in 1957. Directed by Trazana Beverley. Performed by Danielle Thompson.
Leave a Reply