Central New York Theatre Newsroom

What did our critic think of BEAUTIFUL: THE CAROLE KING MUSICAL at JCC CenterStage Theatre?

One of theatre’s many powers is its ability to reflect the happenings of the outside world, illuminating events and societal trends, and even portending things to come. When “Cabaret” was written in 1966 we were only one generation removed from the biggest global conflict in world history, in which America and much of Europe battled down the forces of fascism and tyranny. The show explores the period leading to this tumultuous era, and now in 2024 as American democracy once again feels fragile and antisemitism is on the rise around the world, “Cabaret” is, unfortunately, quite topical.

Beginning this month, Chenango River Theatre will present one the most popular French plays ever written, the hysterical farce Boeing Boeing by Marc Camoletti.

Join UPH for their Ninth Annual Celebrity Bartending Fundraiser at Saratoga National. A night of fun, drinks, and fundraising for a good causeUniversal Preservation Hall has announced the Shaken and Stirred celebrity bartender party, an annual fundraising event to help bring family programming to our stages through the Collaborative School of the Arts.

 Storytelling, music, dance, drumming, crafts and food inspired by Black culture will highlight “The Pinkster Festival: Remembering the Past, Reimagining the Future” on Saturday, May 25, from 11am-5pm at Philipsburg Manor.

The winners for the 19th annual Cortland Repertory Theatre “Pavilion Awards” were announced on Sunday, May 5 at CRT Downtown in the city of Cortland. 

The University of Rochester's Institute for the Performing Arts is seeking presenter proposals for the ARTs + Change Virtual Conference in 2025, inviting artists, educators, and community members to discuss diversity, inclusion, and transformation in the arts.

Get a first look at music rehearsals for Once at Shea's 710, now on stage through May 19th.

 Hoff-Barthelson Music School has announced the return of its highly anticipated Music of Our Time Contemporary Music Festival, showcasing an eclectic array of musical works composed from 1923 through the present day.

The stage lights shone brightly as the Collaborative School of the Arts hosted the eighth annual High School Musical Theatre Awards on the MainStage at Proctors Saturday, May 4 in partnership with The Broadway League.

Get a first look at Syracuse Stage's production of Once, the irresistible Tony-award winning musical based on John Carney's beloved 2007 Oscar-winning film.

I’ll be the first to admit that when it came time for me to see Three Mothers, I was a bit worried what the experience would be. Watching three women grieve the loss of their sons didn’t sound like the kind of activity I would generally choose to subject myself to for entertainment— it frankly seemed like a bit of a downer.

Fort Salem Theater has announced the cast of its upcoming production of 'Godspell,' running from May 31st to June 9th.

Carla Stetson will present her lyric collection of artworks called Water Ways in Kitchen Theatre Company's lobby gallery starting May 1st. These artworks might be considered sculpture or maps, Carla fabricates them by sewing, painting or delicate collage, a weaving of rhythms and forms.

Rochester’s The Company Theatre has announced its mainstage lineup for the 2024-25 season. Learn more about the season here!

Starting on Tuesday, May 7th, the six queens of SIX the musical will be in town for a week performing the hit Broadway show about the six wives of Henry VIII. Among them is 23-year-old Upstate native Adriana Scalice, who dazzles audiences with her portrayal of one of history's most intriguing monarchs, Catherine Parr.

This August, the Bard Music Festival returns for its 34th season with an intensive two-week exploration of “Berlioz and His World.” In eleven themed concert programs, the festival examines the life and times of visionary French composer Hector Berlioz, whose grand-scale works, startling sonorities, and advanced literary leanings helped redefine musical Romanticism.

At age 90, Sybil Evans makes a triumphant return to the jazz scene with the Sybil Evans Trio. Learn more!

Pipeline Arts Foundation celebrates emerging musical theatre talents in 2024 with over $110,000 in awards. Learn more about the awardees!

Irvington Theater has decided to host a free, virtual event to help commemorate Memorial Day. There will be free, daily video releases on Irvington Theater's YouTube Channel  from May 20 to 27.

Multifaceted content creator and comedian, Radel Ortiz, will be performing at West Nyack Levity Live on Friday, May 17th & Saturday, May 18th.

Opening June 22 at the Center for Curatorial Studies at Bard College’s (CCS Bard) Hessel Museum of Art, Remember to Dream revisits the range and breadth of Carrie Mae Weems’ prolific career through seldom displayed and lesser-known works that demonstrate the evolution of her pioneering, politically engaged practice.

Proctors announced that single tickets for the upcoming engagement of SOME LIKE IT HOT in Schenectady will go on sale 10 a.m. Thursday, May 2.

The Cooperstown Summer Music Festival will inaugurate its 26th season with a special Mother's Day program featuring the acclaimed Ariel Quartet.

Experience the cult classic musical comedy, LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS, presented by CENTERstage Productions at The CENTER for Performing Arts at Rhinebeck, NY. Learn how to purchase tickets.