The newest stage in town is ready to launch the theatre season of plays and musicals for 2020 at the Community Arts Center in the heart of downtown Fulton along with a second performance stage for smaller plays and entertainment options. Based on a theme of “New Beginnings” the mainstage season will host 4 musicals and 2 plays, with classical drama and popular shows while the Black Box theatre space in the lower level will produce 3 smaller one act productions.

The year begins with the debut of the Black Box theatre and a production of Keely and Du, a hard hitting drama for adults only concerning abortion rights and the confusion that surrounds the conversation. Keely and Du takes a human inspection of both sides in a non-dictating approach that stimulates dialogue and introspection for audience members. The play is directed by Nancy Fox who last directed Keely and Du at Syracuse University Drama with Laura Austin Allyn and Carolyn Fitzgerald in the title roles. Auditions are November 8 and 9 for Keely and Du which runs January 10-19.

Ghost the Musical kicks off the mainstage 2020 season as a Valentine offering February 14-23. The cult movie of the same name has an endearing musical score that carries the theme of partner love and loss and starting over no matter how tragic the loss. The production is co-directed by Adam Schmidtmann and Liz Walton.

Children of Eden ushers in the Easter season March 27-April 5 and delivers a powerful score and lessons of parents letting go to allow for new beginnings. The production will feature a cast of children in the role of animals in both the creation and in the Ark story alongside a strong ensemble and team of principle actors and musicians. The production is under the direction of Nancy Fox and Dan Williams with auditions scheduled for October 26 & 27. Music rehearsals will start in late December. 

The New Beginnings theme continues with the annual Jr production chosen this year as Disney’s Frozen Jr where siblings learn to embrace challenges while facing fears. The production for kids ages 7-18 who are still in school is under the direction of Adam Schmidtmann and runs May 8-17.

The summer family production this year takes a turn away from music to a classic drama, The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. with a large cast of adults and children. The beloved story demonstrates how some new beginnings take us out of our comfort zones and expands our worlds. The production under the direction of Nancy Fox will run August 7-16.

Fall 2020 will bring the classic Shakespearean tale of The Tragedy of Macbeth directed by Chad Lewis, confronting the evils and demons that forced Macbeth to a new beginning, beyond his control. The production will feature live action and combat with swords and knives, authentic period costumes and set, running September 25-October 4.

The season rounds out with Elf, the beloved Christmas musical and Buddy’s search for his real beginnings. The movie turned stage musical is in limited release to local theatres only through December 2020 before it will be restricted to professional and touring companies again. The production directed by Don Crowe will run December 11-20 and features a cast of all ages.

“We are excited to offer this new year of live entertainment for the region. As an anchor for downtown entertainment and family attractions, we have chosen strong theatrical pieces that will make the best use of our unique space,” said Nancy Fox, Executive Director, “And we’ve given children more opportunities to be onstage learning from adults or sharing the stage with parents even. We encourage families to audition and get involved in backstage as well as onstage activities associated with each production.

“We have a brand new LED light system with unlimited potential for creative design for each production and some challenging costume designs to create in this season coming up. There is something for everyone and it is a time of new beginnings in many ways.”

CNY Arts Center is pleased to announce two fall grants received in support of educational programming in the new Community Arts Center located at 121 Cayuga St. in downtown Fulton. John Ben Snow Foundation recently awarded the nonprofit organization $7500 for youth programming and events in the 2019/2020 school year and through summer 2020. The Leadership Council of the Oswego County Community Foundation awarded $2000 to finance diverse programming in the Center.

“With our great new space we have so much more room to offer the educational programming and events our mission calls for,” said Nancy Fox, Executive Director. “With these grants we can afford to offer truly low-cost, no-cost opportunities for folks of all ages to find a program or class or event and get involved.

“We have classes in a variety of arts, great opportunities to try out different things and good opportunities to build new relationships, too,” Fox continued. “Our youth program has been in the planning stages for almost a year as an expansion of our successful summer art camp plus added programming with an emphasis on older teens. With these grants we can focus on getting teens and families to find creative, positive affordable activities for everyone.  

“We are so grateful for the recognition from these two foundations who see the need for what we do enough to lend their support. With these funds we can lay a strong foundation of programs and events that will deliver a positive outcome to the community and surrounding region.”

By MIKE LEBOEUF editor@fultonvalleynews.com

 Buzzing with performances, classes, and other activities since opening in February of this year, the new CNY Community Arts Center in Fulton promises even greater community involvement once the rest of the work on the building is completed.

“We would really like to be able to do our grand opening in September,” said Nancy Fox, the center’s executive director. “I think when we finish (the main) floor with all the fancy things, the art and the doors and the floors … people are really going to be blown away by what we have here to work with.”

Located in downtown Fulton at 121 Cayuga St. — the former Herron’s Fabric Store — the CNY Community Arts Center opened just prior to the production of “Little Women” in mid-February. Prior to making the move to the current location, the center’s activities had been held at other sites.

Now in the midst of its eighth year, the CNY Arts Center started out being housed at State Street Methodist Church in Fulton. Classes were held in the basement and theater productions were held in their dining hall. After that, the center shifted its operations to Cayuga Community College. The space offered a 200-seat theater, but it didn’t have classrooms.

While Fox said the center was grateful for the use of those places, there was the hope that a permanent home could be found in which to house the entire program including theatrical and musical performances, art classes, and other activities.

Last year, the center purchased the downtown building. Fulton Savings Bank led the way with a significant donation to help secure the property. They received a $110,000 grant from the Shineman Foundation, and others came on board to help including Pathfinder Bank, Community Bank, National Grid, Huhtamaki, and other businesses and individuals.

CNY Arts Center signed on the property in June at a purchase price of $80,000. That was just the beginning of the financial commitment, because much work was needed in terms of code compliance, handicap accessibility, and fire safety to get everything ready to open to the public. Renovations began in August, and the main work was completed in time to open for “Little Women” in February.

Now, work continues to put the finishing touches on the center in anticipation of a grand-opening celebration.

The next big project is the installation of the wheelchair lift. Fox said that could be ready by the end of this week.

Once that is completed, new vinyl flooring will be put in.

“We have purchased the floor, but we wanted to wait until the wheelchair construction was finished because that’s quite messy. As soon as that’s finished we will be laying the new floor in the downstairs and upstairs as well,” Fox said.

She said that the Sunrise Rotary Club in Fulton is covering the cost of the arching system that will allow art to be hung so art exhibits can be held.

Also, the new theater doors provided by the Noon Rotary Club in Fulton need to be installed. They are heavy doors and require special hinges, she said.

As for the 100-seat theater, it’s practically completed and has already hosted several events.

“We’ve been very busy in here. We’ve already started a full roster of programming. It’s been nonstop since ‘Little Women’ opened in February. We did ‘Beauty and the Beast Jr.’ and a lot of people came to see that. We just had the Tony Monaco Trio, Jazz in the House. The house was just rocking,” Fox said.

As part of a state grant, the center will be getting some hearing-assist devices for those who can benefit from them. “It’s a very intimate theater and it’s not an issue usually, but the music can be loud. We’ll get those devices. I’m hoping that’s here by December. Then this room will essentially be finished just as we get ready to launch our 2020 season,” Fox said.

The center is preparing for its next play, “Once Upon A Mattress,” set for Aug. 2-4 and Aug. 9-11. After those performances are done, another project will begin.

“Part of the state grant was for new LED stage lights. Those will be going in the day after ‘Mattress’ closes,” Fox said. “It’s too close to the start of ‘Mattress’ to do it now and get everybody trained on how to use them. As soon as ‘Mattress’ is over, the old lights will come down and the new lights will be installed. We can’t wait to get our hands on that system and train on them. There are so many things you can do with that.”

Classrooms will be almost completely done once the new flooring is installed. One classroom still needs a sink to be installed, Fox said. All the bathrooms are done.

The biggest project left on the main floor is the kitchen.

“We’re just waiting to work out all the details on some funding sources. We need to do some fundraising toward that. We can move forward on parts of the project,” Fox said.

The biggest chunk of the expense is equipment she said.

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The official cast list for Once Upon a Mattress is as followed:

• Princess Winnifred - Joey Tucker

• Prince Dauntless - Arthur Lincoln

• Queen Aggravain- Jessie Essig

• Minstrel- Sabrina Woodward

• King Sextimus- Grant Marriner

• Jester - Aly Barnaba

• Lady Larken- Catherine Castilano

• Sir Harry- Patrick Carman

• Wizard- Kristin Ruth Cook

• Ladies in Waiting- Megan Acker, Bev Poznoski, Ella Greenleaf, and Sheila Kirby

• Princess #12/Nightingale - Alexis Phelps

• Sir Studley/Knight-  Noah Phelps

'If you are interested in being part of the production, please reach out to Jess Tetro via the CNY Community Arts Facebook page or via this website for more information.

After 5 months of rehearsing, more than 30 children, ages 6-18, will step onstage to present Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, Jr. at the new Community Arts Center, 121 Cayuga St in downtown Fulton. The popular Disney musical will run May 10-19 with Friday and Saturday evening performances May 10, 11, 17, & 18 at 7pm and matinees at 2pm on Saturday, May 18 and Sundays, May 12 and 19.

The JR production is an annual event the children look forward to each year and wait excitedly for the announcement of next year’s show. The production is only open to those 18 and under who are in school (or homeschooled). The production team led by Adam Schmidtmann, known affectionately as Mr. Adam, is the same team working together on the Jr show for the last 4 years at CNY Arts Center including JR productions of Seussical, Legally Blonde, Shrek and now Beauty and the Beast. The label notes a moderated version of classic musicals scaled to youthful voices and skill levels to make the material more accessible to the children.

The new Community Arts Center, recently opened after more than 8 months of renovations, houses a theatre smaller than the previous theatre which seated over 100. “Only during Jr shows do we sell out over 100 seats for any one performance,” said Executive Director, Nancy Fox. “So the intimate size of the new theatre is perfect for all other uses. We’ve added an extra performance to the run of the Jr show to accommodate the expected sellout crowds. We encourage advance ticket purchase to avoid being turned away.”  

Tickets are available from any child in the show who will receive a complimentary ticket to share with a guest for every 10 tickets sold. Or visit CNYArtsCenter.com for tickets and more information.

Caption: Beauty and the Beast’s Belle (portrayed by Ally Barnaba) reads to the children and spends time with little princesses during Story Hour at the Fulton Public Library. Beauty and the Beast, Jr will run May 10-19 at the new CNY Community Arts Center in downtown Fulton on 121 Cayuga St. Visit www.CNYArtsCenter.com for tickets and more information.

CNY Community Arts Center is setting the table for a Spaghetti Dinner fundraiser to support the next stage production, Beauty and the Beast, Jr, set to open next month. The spaghetti dinner to be held Saturday, April 27 from 3-7 pm, at 1st United Church in Fulton, will support the high cost of royalties and costumes and more for the popular musical production.

“The Jr production with more than 30 children onstage will feature all the popular characters and music from the classic Disney musical”, said Director Adam Schmidtmann, “but the cost of doing such productions runs in the thousands just for the rights to produce it. When you add in the character costumes and set, and the professional staff to coordinate all the pieces, it is quite a hefty price tag that ticket sales alone cannot cover.

“That’s why we do multiple fundraisers all through the rehearsal period to help defray those costs. We’ve held a bottle and can drive, a 2000Roses Crowd-funding campaign to cover the $2000 for royalties, and now we are hosting this Be Our Guest spaghetti dinner where there will be baskets and raffles and the kids in the production will serve the dinner.”

The First United Church, located at 33 S. 3rd St. in Fulton, has donated the use of the hall and kitchen for the fundraiser. Take out dinners will be available and tickets can be purchased online at www.CNYArtsCenter.com.

The production runs May 10-19 in the new Community Arts Center in Fulton. Advance ticket purchase is strongly encouraged to avoid missing the show which is projected to sell out. Visit the website for more information.

CNY Community Arts Center is excited to announce a run of JOHN, HIS STORY, for one weekend only, April 5-7 on the new stage at CNY Community Arts Center located at 121 Cayuga St. in downtown Fulton.  The 90 minute performance will run four show times including two matinees, Friday and Saturday, April 5 & 6 at 7:30, Saturday and Sunday, April 6 & 7 at 3pm.

Starring veteran actors Kristin Cook, Beth DeRousie, and welcoming Don Crowe and Michael Bolio to the cast, the popular ensemble play has toured the CNY region since 2007, last seen in 2015 with a cast that included Bobby Fontana and the late Brian Pringle. 

“It has proved to be an unexpected delight with audiences every time it is performed” said Fox, Director. “When audiences hear the familiar stories of the miracles of Jesus brought to life through 25 charactersplayed by only four actors the comments always include pleasant surprise. It’s especially appropriate for the Easter season when the religious community celebrates the life and teachings of Jesus Christ.”

JOHN, HIS STORY was written by actress-playwright Jeannette Clift George and premiered by the A.D. Players, a faith-based theatre company in Houston. Brought to life by four actors, some costume accessory changes, and a few props JOHN, HIS STORY enjoyed a successful off-Broadway run in 1997 at the Lamb's Theatre. The play toured internationally and received critical acclaim in productions across the country.

Fox continues “Not the least bit preachy, the play is unlike traditional dramatizations of the Bible. Using ordinary bystanders to tell John’s story of Christ delivers an experience everyone can relate to. We’re surprised to hear ourselves laughing at the all-too human responses easily recognizable while asking ourselves 'Would I have the same reaction today?' Probably!”

 “We’re also excited to have a new stage and facility to present dynamic plays and musicals like JOHN, HIS STORY to audiences on a continuing basis with our comprehensive arts programming,” said Fox. “CNY Community Arts Center is a destination for family friendly art experiences and community involvement. The time is right to bring back this popular play delivering a great evening’s entertainment to debut on our new stage.” 

For more information and tickets, visit www.CNYArtsCenter.com or call 598-ARTS (2787). 

CAPTION:

Kristin Cook and Beth DeRousie in one of the many great scenes from “John, His Story”. The popular play returns for one weekend only presented by CNY Community Arts Center, April 5-7 at their new location in downtown Fulton, 121 Cayuga St. Visit www.CNYArtsCenter.com for information or call 598-ARTS (2787).