RIDING THE MIDNIGHT EXPRESS and More Set for Summer at Downstairs Cabaret Theatre

The Downstairs Cabaret has announced nearly a dozen different shows as part of its 2017 Summer Program. Scroll down for details!

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At 20 Windsor Street, downtown Rochester:

Riding the Midnight Express with Billy Hayes

In a dynamic performance, Billy Hayes recounts the true story of his time in Turkish prisons and his brazen, harrowing escape. In 1970, Hayes was arrested at the Istanbul Airport and sentenced to life in prison. Five years later, he escaped from Imrali Island prison in the dead of night, rowing 17 miles in a raging storm to freedom. Upon his return, he wrote Midnight Express, which became an instant best-seller published in 18 languages, and on which Oliver Stone's iconic Oscar-winning film was based. Riding the Midnight Express is edge-of-your-seat dramatic storytelling at its finest with an inspirational lesson we can all benefit from about taking responsibility for our actions (and their consequences), and finding the personal determination within to rise above desperation to transform our lives. The performance runs 1 hour 30 minutes, without an intermission and is followed by a talkback with Billy Hayes.

Show times are as follows: Thursday, May 25 at 7:00pm; Friday, May 26 at 8:00pm; Saturday, May 27 at 8:00pm; Sunday, May 28 at 4:00pm; and Wednesday, May 31 at 7:00pm.

General Admission Tickets are $25 (discounts are available for seniors, students, military personnel, groups, and DCT members). All performances will take place at 20 Windsor Street, Rochester (free parking, handicap accessible). For more information: visit www.DownstairsCabaret.com; reservations: (585) 325-4370.

At 3450 Winton Place, Brighton-Henrietta:

The Accidental Hero

Written and Performed by Patrick Dewane

The true story of a WWII officer who liberates the same Czech towns where his grandparents lived. Matt Konop had grown up speaking Czech on a farm in Wisconsin, ashamed of his humble background. Thrown into WWII, he hits Omaha Beach and is a hero in the Battle of the Bulge. Then his story takes a turn from yet another soldier's tale to something more epic when he is given the dangerous assignment to go behind enemy lines into Czechoslovakia. His life would never be the same, as one coincidence after another brings him face-to-face with his identity. What once was a source of shame becomes his greatest pride as the people of his grandparent's hometown hailed him as their "liberator." Told with never-before-seen color movie clips from WWII, vintage music and photos, The Accidental Hero is a multi-media delight that has captivated audiences across the country as well as in the Czech Republic. The performance runs 1 hour 30 minutes, without an intermission and is followed by a talkback with creator Patrick Dewane.

Show times are as follows: Thursday, June 1 at 7:00pm; Friday, June 2 at 8:00pm; Saturday, June 3 at 8:00pm; and Sunday, June 4 at 2:00pm.

General Admission Tickets are $25 (discounts are available for seniors, students, military personnel, groups, and DCT members). For this production only, all WWII veterans are admitted free. All performances will take place at 3450 Winton Place, Brighton-Henrietta (free parking, handicap accessible). For more information: visit www.DownstairsCabaret.com; reservations: (585) 325-4370.

At 3450 Winton Place, Brighton-Henrietta:

John Denver's Rocky Mountain High Featuring Jim Curry

Returning to the Downstairs Cabaret after two popular engagements last year that earned consistent standing ovations, John Denver's Rocky Mountain High celebrates the music of one of the most beloved singer/songwriters to ever grace the stage. The music of John Denver is like an old friend, outlasting trends and standing the test of time. Acclaimed performer Jim Curry, whose voice was heard in the CBS-TV movie Take Me Home: The John Denver Story, has performed Denver's music in sold-out shows with renowned orchestras across the country and has emerged as today's top performer of Denver's vast legacy of multi-platinum hits. The performance runs 2 hours, with an intermission.

Performance times are as follows: Thursday, June 8 at 7:00pm; Friday June 9 at 8:00pm; Saturday, June 10 at 4:00pm and 8:00pm; and Sunday, June 11 at 4:00pm.

General admission tickets are $30-$33 with discounts available for seniors, students, military personnel, groups, and DCT members. All performances will take place at 3450 Winton Place, Brighton (free parking, handicap accessible). For more information: visit www.DownstairsCabaret.com; reservations: (585) 325-4370.

At 20 Windsor Street, downtown Rochester:

Bearing Witness

Written and Performed by Thomas Bird

Bearing Witness is the powerful story of a Vietnam Veteran anxious to emulate his WWII field surgeon father's heroism. In doing so, painful war experience secrets are revealed, and an unexpected bond unites them at Mauthausen Concentration Camp in Austria. This is a memorable father-son experience scheduled specifically to celebrate Father's Day weekend. The performance runs 1 hour 15 minutes, without an intermission.

Performance times are as follows: Thursday, June 15 at 7:00pm; Friday, June 16 at 8:00pm; Saturday, June 17 at 8:00pm; and Sunday, June 18 at 4:00pm.

General Admission Tickets are $25 (discounts are available for seniors, students, military personnel, groups, and DCT members). All performances will take place at 20 Windsor Street, Rochester (free parking, handicap accessible). For more information: visit www.DownstairsCabaret.com; reservations: (585) 325-4370.

At 20 Windsor Street, downtown Rochester:

Grove Place Jazz

Downstairs Cabaret Theatre's Grove Place Jazz Program series will continue throughout the summer, featuring a different ensemble from Eastman School of Music (as well as other area jazz artisans) each Tuesday evening from 7:00pm-9:00pm (with an intermission).

Tickets are $10, with half price tickets available for DCT members, Grove Place Neighbors, and Eastman faculty, students and staff. All performances will take place at 20 Windsor Street, Rocheste3r (free parking, handicap accessible). For more information: visit www.DownstairsCabaret.com; reservations: (585) 325-4370.

At 3450 Winton Place, Brighton-Henrietta:

A Twist of Lemmon

Written and Performed by Chris Lemmon

A Twist of Lemmon chronicles the lifelong journey of Chris Lemmon and his world famous father, actor Jack Lemmon - a unique yet universal celebration of a father and son torn apart, only to find one another again, becoming the best of friends against all odds. Couched in the lore of the golden age of Hollywood, and told in the voice of Jack Lemmon, A Twist of Lemmon is filled with dozens of the great stars that graced the silver screen during that incredible era, as well as a score of some of Jack's greatest performances from the movies the world adored. With an original piano score by Chris Lemmon, the end result is a heartfelt journey that critics have called, "A story that will make you laugh and cry, then laugh again...". The performance runs 2 hours, with an intermission.

Show times are as follows: Thursday, July 13 at 7:00pm; Friday, July 14 at 8:00pm; Saturday, July 15 at 4:00pm and 8:00pm; and

Sunday, July 16 at 2:00pm.

General Admission Tickets are $33-$36 with discounts available for seniors, students, military personnel, groups, and DCT members. All performances will take place at 3450 Winton Place, Brighton (free parking, handicap accessible). For more information: visit www.DownstairsCabaret.com; reservations: (585) 325-4370.

At 3450 Winton Place, Brighton-Henrietta:

Born to Run in the USA

with ERic Brown, Jenn Cristy and the L Street Band

Bruce Springsteen is a true American icon. His music is the epic embodiment of the "runaway American dream": rock and roll, independence, love, struggle, and triumph. ERic Brown & The L Street Band capture the essence of Bruce's iconic sound in a way that pays homage to the legend's early rise from New Jersey working class hero to international superstar. The stage show has the kinetic energy that only Springsteen's music can generate: a visual spectacle accompanied by memorable music. Featuring "Dancing in the Dark", "Born in the USA", "Hungry Heart", "Born to Run", fan-favorite "Rosalita" and many other Springsteen classics. The performance runs 2 hours, with an intermission.

Show times July 27-August 13 are as follows: Thursdays at 7:00pm; Fridays at 8:00pm; Saturdays at 4:00pm and 8:00pm; and Sundays at 6:00pm.

General Admission Tickets are $27-$30 with discounts available for seniors, students, military personnel, groups, and DCT members. All performances will take place at 3450 Winton Place, Brighto4n (free parking, handicap accessible). For more information: visit www.DownstairsCabaret.com; reservations: (585) 325-4370.

At 3450 Winton Place, Brighton-Henrietta:

Kadan Bart Rockett & Brooklyn

As featured on America's Got Talent

Recognized as the youngest professional magician/illusionist in the world, Kadan Bart Rockett and his sister, Brooklyn Nicole, were audience favorites on America's Got Talent where they were the youngest kids to make it to the TOP 16 Semi-Finals! Known for their unique take on magic/illusions and witty banter, they have taken everyday objects and put them together in the most creative of ways to produce illusions that rival the world's top magic acts. Following in their parents' footsteps, they are developing their own unique brand as they pursue acting, magic, illusion, ventriloquism, music and dance. Between them both, they have already starred in both independent and studio feature films, television shows, and commercials as well as have performed well over 1,000 live shows! Kadan appeared on Blake Shelton's NBC Christmas special, the new CBS show RUSH HOUR and Heidi Klum's SERIOUSLY FUNNY KIDS on Lifetime Network. He also has appeared in numerous films including the lead role in the worldwide theatrical release of DARK SKIES alongside Keri Russell. The performance runs 1 hour 30 minutes, without an intermission.

Show times September 9-24 are as follows: Saturdays at 4pm and 8:00pm; and Sundays at 2:00pm and 6:00pm.

General Admission Tickets are $26-$29 with discounts available for seniors, students, military personnel, groups, and DCT members. All performances will take place at 3450 Winton Place, Brighton (free parking, handicap accessible). For more information: visit www.DownstairsCabaret.com; reservations: (585) 325-4370.

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Additional shows are being planned for the summer and will be announced when details are confirmed.