CRT Announces 2019 Winter/Spring Season At CRT Downtown

Cortland Repertory Theatre is announcing a full line-up of shows and events for the winter and spring at their downtown performing arts facility, located at 24 Port Watson Street in historic downtown Cortland. Admission prices vary per event. Starting in January, a series of monthly THIRD THURSDAY TRIVIA NIGHTS are planned for the first four months of the year. At 7:00 PM on January 17, February 21, March 21 and April 18, trivia buffs in teams of up to 4 people will be challenged to six rounds of five questions in a wide range of topics. This fund raiser for the CRT Youth Programs encourages friendly competition between families, friends and businesses, with prizes for each round and one evening Grand Prize, including CRT tickets. Admission is $5.00 per person and a beer/wine cash bar will be available.

On Friday and Saturday, February 15 and 16, CRT presents CAROLE'S KINGS, which features the music from the hit Broadway musical Beautiful - The Carole King Musical. The iconic singer-songwriter King gets a brand-new sound with this dynamic performance of the world's first all-male Carole King tribute. This trio of incredibly talented New York City stage veterans performs a jam-packed evening of music, memories and chart-topping sensations, including Locomotion, So Far Away, You've Got a Friend, I Feel the Earth Move, One Fine Day and many more. With lush orchestrations, amazing vocals and hilarious comedy, this one-of-a-kind concert presents a unique experience that's fun for the whole family. The evening begins at 7:30; tickets are $30.00 each.

Just after the second Trivia Night on February 21, the downtown Grand Hall will highlight some of Cortland's best artists in the CORTLAND REP WINTER ART GALLERY. From February 22 - March 3, CRT Downtown becomes a cultural hub of visual artistry, displaying paintings, photography, sculpture and more from the very best of Cortland's own artists, including professionals and students. Attendees can be the first to see the gallery at the Grand Opening on Friday, February 22 and enjoy light appetizers, a beer/wine cash bar and the chance to bid on raffle baskets. The gallery will be open during the next week for daily viewing with a suggestion entrance donation. More details regarding submitting artwork and exact hours of the gallery are to come.

Second try is the charm! Last winter, COMEDIAN BENGT WASHBURN was cancelled because of a snow storm. He is back on the schedule this year again, on Saturday, March 9 at 7:30 PM. As seen on Conan, Comedy Central and The Late Late Show with Colin Ferguson, Bengt (pronounced "bent") offers his unique view of the world in an evening of "clean", PG rated comedy. Bengt is a former winner of the prestigious San Francisco International Comedy Competition, and has performed at the Vancouver International Comedy Festival, The Boston Comedy Festival, the Aspen Laff Festival and Gilda's Laugh Fest in Grand Rapids, Michigan. An evening with Bengt presents the world through the eyes of a small town Mormon man gone slightly awry. His musing are clever, philosophical, sophomoric and hilarious. Tickets are $20.00 in advance, $25.00 the day of the show.

Scheduled around the March Trivia Night on Thursday, March 21, the CRT Guild's annual mystery dinner theatre offers three performances: Saturday, March 16, Friday March 22 and Saturday March 23. Performed by the Acme Mystery Company from Syracuse, this year's production is entitled A SPOONFUL OF POISON. Murder is so terribly impolite but that's the problem everyone's favorite nanny, Mary Popouts, must face. The children have grown up but Michael's rise to the top of the Dependable Depository Bank has left a trail of mysterious deaths in its wake. How terribly rude! Is Michael a murderer? Is Bart, the chimney sweep, cleaning up? What exactly does sister Jane do in the evenings? Be there when Scotland Yard crashes Michael's surprise party. Doors will open at 6:30; the meal is provided by Linani's Catering of Homer and includes appetizer, dinner, desert and coffee. A beer/wine cash bar will be available. All tickets are $50.00.

Coming next is actor, singer, songwriter, musician, comedian, TV host, movie star, all around entertainer and old friend, John Davidson in an evening of songs and storytelling on Saturday, March 30 at 7:30 PM. This show business legend has done it all: from performing in Las Vegas showrooms to hosting The Hollywood Squares, That's Incredible! and The Tonight Show; from appearing in the Disney films The Happiest Millionaire and The One And Only Genuine Original Family Band to the Broadway stage in State Fair and Oklahoma! and national tours including playing the Wizard in Wicked. Mr. Davidson is now entertaining America as a traveling troubadour with his guitar, bringing his personal, charming show of songs and stories to intimate venues. In CRT Downtown's in-the-round seating arrangement, there's nothing like seeing him live.

On Saturday, April 6 at 7:30 PM comes TWO ON TAP with an amazing tap duo bringing audiences back to the era of Fred and Ginger, and Mickey and Judy. Broadway and Radio City Music Hall performers Melissa Giattino and Ron DeStefano pay tribute to the Great American Songbook and classic Broadway song-and-dance in this fun, lively, and fast-paced show that has audiences singing and dancing in their seats. Featuring great songs like I Got Rhythm, Yes Sir, That's My Baby, Sing, Sing, Sing and L-O-V-E, Two on Tap uses fresh, original choreography to show how classic tap still endures and entertains. It's a truly unique experience for all ages! Tickets are $20.00 each.

Another Trivia Night takes place on April 18, followed by the return of THE DOZEN DIVAS on Saturday, April 27 at 7:30 PM. This unique and hysterical show is performed by brilliant impressionist and trained classical singer, Dorothy Bishop. Ms. Bishop performed at CRT Downtown in 2015 to sold out houses, and she's back with all her divas..including some new ones...in tow. Cher, Stevie, Dolly, Barbra, Liza, Adele, Madonna and more stop by for a visit, all performed brilliantly by this incredibly talented artist in stunning costumes. It's a great night out with most of with Hollywood. Tickets are $25.00.

Ending the spring season on May 3 and 4 at 7:30 PM is the CRT Downtown debut of Paula Hanke and Peggy Ratusz in LOVE IS A ROSE: CELEBRATING THE MUSIC OF Linda Ronstadt. This warm and charismatic North Carolina-based duo belt out hit after hit from Ms. Ronstadt's eclectic 28-album catalog while adding personal stories of her impressive achievements. Star Search performers and an opening act for The Beach Boys, they join forces with a guitar and bass acoustic duo to sing incredible hits like When Will I Be Loved, Blue Bayou, That'll Be The Day, It's So Easy, Poor Poor Pitiful Me, Lo Siento Mi Vida, You're No Good, What's New and many more. Tickets are $30.00.

For more information on any of these shows or events, please visit CortlandRep.org. Tickets are available for purchase online at the theatre's website, by calling 800-427-6160 or by visiting CRT Downtown at 24 Port Watson Street in Cortland. Winter/Spring hours are Mon-Fri 9:00 - 5:00, and on Saturdays from noon - 7:30 when a performance is scheduled for that evening. Tickets for the summer season of productions at the Little York Pavilion will go on sale May 20.

Cortland Repertory Theatre PO Box 783 Cortland, NY 13045 Admin: 607-753-6161 Box Office: 607-756-2627 www.cortlandrep.org Main Office & Winter Productions: CRT Downtown, 24 Port Watson St. Cortland Summer Performances: The Little York Pavilion, 6799 Little York Lake Road, Preble