CRT Downtown Announces Upcoming Fall Events And Shows

Cortland Repertory Theatre Downtown is announcing the upcoming 4th annual fall season of exciting shows, concerts and events at the downtown Cortland performing arts center located at 24 Port Watson Street in historic downtown Cortland. Tickets for most events are available for purchase online at the theatre's website, www.cortlandrep.org, by calling 800-427-6160 or by visiting CRT Downtown in person. Admission prices vary per event.

Currently, performances of CRT's final summer show, THE RAT PACK LOUNGE are on stage until Saturday, September 8th. Following the completion of these performances, the theatre will host the first of three monthly "THIRD THURSDAY" TRIVIA NIGHTS, as fund raisers for CRT's Youth Programs. On September 20, October 18 and November 15 at 7:00 PM, trivia teams of up to four people are invited to participate in six rounds of five questions each on a variety of topics. A family friendly event, all ages are invited to participate, with prizes for each round and an overall Grand Prize of the Evening of gift certificates to local restaurants and CRT tickets. Admission is $5.00 per person, and a beer/wine cash bar plus free snacks will be available.

The 7th Annual LITTLE YORK FALL FIBER ARTS FESTIVAL will take place at the Little York Pavilion on Saturday October 13 from 9:00-5:00 and Sunday October 14 from 10:00-3:00. This unique and interesting event hosts over 30 vendors from around the country, selling wool and yarn handmade items along with knitting, felting and weaving supplies. Also available are yarn, wool, pelts, blankets, clothing and unique holiday gifts. Some vendors also sell maple sugar products, fine handcrafted pottery and wood-working items, soaps and lotions, holiday decorations and much more. Vendors will be located both outside and inside the Pavilion on both floors. The CRT Theatre Guild will sell breakfast and lunch plus coffee and other beverages. An all-weekend admission is $5.00, children under 12 are free.

The same weekend, on Saturday, October 13 at 7:30, CRT Downtown will host the return of Wade Preston, back by popular demand. Having performed to a sold out house last year, Preston returns with an all new concert titled "Son, Let Me Play You A Memory". Best known for being "the piano man" in Billy Joel's Broadway hit Movin' Out, Preston is credited with holding the record of having performed the show more times than anyone else in its 3½ year run. His amazing musical prowess at the keyboards, combined with his versatile vocal talent, child-like stage charm and sense of humor creates an undeniably unique and thoroughly enjoyable show. This multitalented singer/pianist has the "inside track" on all things Billy Joel, and tells great stories as well! Tickets are $25.00 and a beer/wine cash bar will be available. Visit WadePreston.com for a preview.

Following the second Trivia Night on October 20, CRT presents an evening of standup comedy with MOODY McCARTHY. Seen on Conan, Jimmy Kimmel Live, The Late Show with David Letterman and America's Got Talent, Syracuse native Matthew "Moody" McCarthy returns to his Central New York stomping grounds. He began his career in 1992 by writing jokes and covering sports for Syracuse's #1 radio stations WYYY and WTKW. After six years of performing regionally, Moody decided his apartment was too big and moved to NYC, where he now lives and works as a comedian. With humor touting the allure of women with raspy voices, the joys of time zones, and the perks of being an uncle, this rated "PG-Adult" show is full of laughs! Advance tickets are $20; tickets the day of will be $25. A beer/wine cash bar will be available. Visit MoodyMcCarthy.com for a sample of his comedy.

Next comes A TRIBUTE TO John Denver with TED VIGIL, for two performances: Friday, October 26 at 7:30 and Saturday, October 27 at 2:00. Born and raised in Washington state, Vigil is a singer, songwriter and John Denver lookalike who began performing at the age of ten. In 2006, he won first place in the Nevada Talent Quest, winning over artists from 28 states, New Zealand, Australia and Canada. After developing his John Denver tribute, he has since performed for Denver's Windstar Foundation in Aspen, Colorado, and was awarded the Rising Legend Award by the National Traditional Country Music Association. Recently, he toured Australia with other tribute artists of Johnny Cash and Willie Nelson. Audiences are astounded with his resemblance to Denver, and love the chance to re-live that Rocky Mountain High! All tickets are $25.00 and a beer/wine cash bar will be available. Visit TedVigil.com for video clips.

On Sunday, November 4, The Traveling Lantern Theatre Company presents their children/family production of SHERLOCK HOLMES TAKES THE CASE with a one-day only performance at 2:00 PM. The game is afoot and kids (and adults) in the audience help the world's most famous detective, with his trusty right-hand man Watson, follow the clues and solve the mystery. This two-actor, inactive production provides a wonderful introduction for a young audience to the brilliant super sleuth. General admission tickets are $7.00 per person.

On Saturday, November 10, the CRT Guild will host their first "SPOTLIGHT SHOPPING" CRAFT AND VENDOR FAIR, from 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM. A wide variety of crafters from across New York state and beyond will offer excellent, unique choices for holiday gifts and decorations. The Guild will sell lunch and snacks as well so shoppers are free to take their time. Silent auction baskets with items provided by the crafters will be available for bidding, as a fund raiser for CRT. Admission is free.

Before Thanksgiving will be the third Trivia Night on November 15 at 7:00 PM, after which the downtown venue will transform into Santa's favorite visiting spot for PHOTOS WITH SANTA on December 1 from 10:00 - 12:00 and 2:00 - 4:00, and Sunday, December 2 from 1:00 - 3:00. Photos are $10.00 for each photo set-up, with electronic photos emailed to purchasers. For an additional $10.00, the photos will be printed on the spot. Also offered are numerous "selfie stations" for visitors to take their own photos, plus free refreshments and activities for kids.

On Saturday, December 15, "Sister" returns with another installment in the Late Night Catechism Series with SISTER'S CHRISTMAS CATECHISM: THE MYSTERY OF THE MAGI'S GOLD, with two performances, at 2:00 and 7:30. It's "CSI: Bethlehem" in this holiday mystery extravaganza! Sister takes on the mystery that has intrigued historians throughout the ages - whatever happened to the Magi's gold? (As Sister states, "We know that Mary used the frankincense and myrrh as a sort of potpourri; they were in a barn after all.") Sister retells the story of the nativity as only she can, employing her own scientific tools. She also creates a hilarious living nativity assisted by a gaggle of audience members. Tickets are $25.00 and the beer/wine cash bar will be available.

Next, the Traveling Lantern Company returns with their annual children's theatre production of THE STORY OF EBENEZER SCROOGE on December 16th at 2:00. General Admission tickets are $7.00 per person. Finally, CRT helps celebrate with their 4th Annual DANCIN' THRU THE DECADES New Year's Eve dance. The CRT DJs will be playing the greatest dance hits from the 60's thru today, moving into different decades every hour. Tickets are $10.00 in advance, $15.00 at the door.

For more information on any of these shows or events, please visit www.cortlandrep.org.

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