Brian Cimmet News

Shows CANCELLED! That seems to be the trend for theatrical productions in 2020. The holidays and shows are two things that go perfectly together. People love memories, traditions, treats, and entertainment for the Holidays and for many, that means a special trip with family and friends to the theater. For the performers performing during the Holidays, it is a time to bring joy to the audience and to celebrate with their theater family.

Syracuse Stage celebrates the joy and comfort of home this holiday season with the fully digital production “Home for the Holidays,” a heartwarming show filled with favorite songs and instrumental music, dancing and fond memories, available as video on demand starting Dec. 15.

Two Tony Award-winning musicals, an American classic, a smart new comedy, a haunting new adaptation of a literary masterpiece and a world premiere are at the heart of Syracuse Stage's 48th season. Artistic director Robert Hupp said the shows in the season all in some way address ideas of home 'in all its idealized, romanticized, messy and real manifestations.'

Syracuse Stage and the Syracuse University Department of Drama is now enchanting audiences with their production of Disney's Beauty and the Beast. The musical is under the always superb direction of Donna Drake and musical director Brian Cimmet, the creative team that brought the last two holiday favorites to Syracuse Stage. Like their past productions, Wizard of Oz and Elf their production of Beauty and the Beast kicks off the Holiday season with magical sets, costumes, and dazzling talent.

Syracuse Stage rings in the holiday season with the family musical a?oeDisney's Beauty and the Beast,a?? directed by Donna Drake and choreographed by Anthony Salatino with musical direction by Brian Cimmet. Preview performances begin Nov. 22. Opening night is Nov. 29, with performances scheduled through Jan. 5. Excellent seats remain for many performances and are available through the Box Office (315-443-3275) and at www.SyracuseStage.org.

The Syracuse University Department of Drama has begun its 2019-2020 season with Michael Bennett's groundbreaking Pulitzer Prize and Tony-award winning musical A Chorus Line under the impressive direction of Brian J. Marcum. The authenticity, the emotion, the power, and the dancing bring a chilling production showcasing spot-on talent of a stellar cast.

The Merry a?" Go a?" Round Playhouse is now enchanting audiences with a breathtaking production of Grand Hotel the Musical. Director Brett Smock's productions often are memorable and this one is no exception. With the lavish set, spot on casting, and impressive choreography this production is one of the top productions I've seen presented at The Merry - Go a?" Round Playhouse.

The Finger Lakes Musical Theatre Festival (FLMTF) opens its second production this season, the song and dance spectacular, Grand Hotel. The show runs July 10 through July 31 at the Merry-Go-Round Playhouse in Emerson Park.

Opening on July 10th at the Finger Lakes Musical Theatre Festival (FLMTF) is the song and dance spectacular, Grand Hotel. The show runs through July 31 at the Merry-Go-Round Playhouse in Emerson Park.

A stunning, visionary, and thought-provoking production of Jason Robert Brown's Drama Desk Award-winning musical, The Last 5 Years, is now delighting audiences at Syracuse Stage. The production is directed by none other than Jason Alexander, who is, of course, best known for his role in the television series Seinfeld. Alexander's vision results in a production that is refreshing, captivating, and brilliant. This production stands out from others because Alexander cast four actors rather than the traditional two. There is also the incomparable score by the brilliant Jason Robert Brown that is a delight to the ears.

Classic plays and musicals that illuminate the world of today highlight the 2019/2020 Syracuse University Department of Drama season. From Shakespeare to Arthur Miller to Rodgers and Hammerstein, the season is a feast of great language, great music, big ideas and big entertainment. Subscriptions and Flex Packs are available now.

The music, the lyrics, the story, and the characters - every element of Andrew Lippa's The Wild Party is very intense and intriguing. This production, presented by the Syracuse University Department of Drama at Syracuse Stage, doesn't hold back either. Set in the Jazz Age of the Roaring '20s, this production features a stellar cast, impressive set and lighting design by Alex Koziara, and meticulously detailed direction by Katherine McGerr. The spot-on choreography by Andrea Leigh-Smith and the powerhouse performances of the entire cast take center stage in this wild performance of Lippa's The Wild Party.

Syracuse Stage announced the shows that will make up the 2019/2020 season: six plays and musicals on subscription plus a special world premiere directed by TV, stage and film actor Taye Diggs. 

The Syracuse Stage and Syracuse University (SU) Department of Drama Holiday production is an annual tradition for many Central New Yorkers. This year, the family friendly holiday show Elf the Musical is the perfect start to the Holiday season. The production features fabulous SU drama students, local child performers, and accomplished equity actors. Director Donna Drake, last season's director of The Wizard of Oz, brings the comedy, the heart, and the holiday cheer to life with her fun and festive direction.

The good news from Syracuse Stage is that there are still excellent seats available for the holiday family show "Elf The Musical," scheduled to run Nov. 23 - Jan. 6. While many performances are full or near capacity, the Syracuse Stage Box Office recommends patrons check dates after Dec. 28 as performances with good availability.

Over the weekend I had the absolute pleasure of seeing Stephen Sondheim's Into the Woods reimagined at the Storch Theatre in the Syracuse Stage Complex. Director David Lowenstein brilliantly brings those fairy tale stories and characters to life as if they were written and created for present times. Lowenstein and his cast of Syracuse University Drama students offer up a refreshing and captivating production that relates back to modern day sociopolitical issues, the celebrities in the news etc. The numerous pop culture references add to the experience, not detract from it.

The Syracuse University Department of Drama kicks off the 2018-2019 season with Stephen Sondheim's "Into the Woods." Directed and choreographed by David Lowenstein, with musical direction by Brian Cimmet, the Department of Drama's production takes a fresh look at Sondheim's hit musical. "Into the Woods" previews Oct. 12 and opens Oct. 13 in the Storch Theatre at the Syracuse Stage/SU Drama Complex, 820 E. Genesee St.

It's Christmas in July at Syracuse Stage with a special offer to the first 10 performances of the holiday favorite 'Elf the Musical' and the release of single tickets for sale to all shows in the 2018/2019 season.

With what is arguably the largest production in Maine State Music Theatre's history, the company brings a level of opulence, sophistication, and magic to the Pickard stage that makes this production of Disney's Beauty and the Beast a fitting jewel in the Diamond Jubilee Crown. It is no secret that the company has used every single ounce of its resources (and overcome a number of unforeseen obstacles along the way) to create this magnificent production, but the result has been entirely worth the effort. This beloved fairytale dazzlingly comes to life in all its heartfelt beauty.

Maine State Music Theatre steps back in time for its second show of the season, Disney's Beauty and the Beast. This revered fairytale runs from June 27 - July 14. Due to popular demand, the theatre has added performances on July 7 and July 14 at 2 PM.