Cortland Repertory Theatre Announces Events and Shows Coming Up This Fall

Cortland Repertory Theatre Downtown is announcing their upcoming 3rd Annual Fall Season of shows, concerts and events at the new performing arts center located at 24 Port Watson Street in historic downtown Cortland. Tickets are on sale now for all events; admission prices vary per event. Producing Artistic Director Kerby Thompson says that the goal of CRT Downtown is to offer something for everyone.

"We planned our new space to be as versatile as possible in order to present a wide range of entertainment, and as we learn more about our own space, and what our audience wants to see, we are fine-tuning our offerings. We're excited about what we've got coming up!"

Directly following the completion of their 46th annual summer season at the Little York Pavilion, CRT Downtown will host the first of three monthly TRIVIA NIGHTS, planned for the third Thursday of each fall month.

These evenings will be fund raisers for the Cortland Repertory Theatre Youth Programs, which include classes, workshops and award programs for local students interested in the performing arts. Starting at 7:00 PM on September 21, October 19 and November 16, trivia teams of up to four people are invited to participate in up to seven rounds of five questions each. Trivia topics will be announced via email blasts a week before the evening. Planned to be a fun, low-pressure social event, CRT invites family, friends, couples and groups to participate, with "silly" prizes for each round with an overall evening grand prize of gift certificates to local restaurants and theatre tickets. Admission is $5.00 per person, a beer/wine cash bar plus free snacks will be available. This is a family-friendly event.

On October 14 from 9:00-5:00 and October 15 from 10:00-3:00, CRT will hold their final 2017 event at the Little York Pavilion.

The 6th Annual LITTLE YORK FALL FIBER ARTS FESTIVAL has been growing in attendees and interest since CRT first began this fund raiser. Over 30 vendors from six states have attended the festival, selling handmade items and sewing/knitting supplies. Along with unique holiday gifts, vendors sell yarn, wool, pelts, blankets, clothing, felting, and wool spinning supplies. A few vendors also sell maple sugar products, fine handcrafted pottery, soaps and lotions, holiday decorations and much more. Vendors will be located on both floors of the Pavilion, and some will also be outside. 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.

That same weekend, CRT Downtown will be rockin' with an incredible concert by Billy Joel's Piano Man Wade Preston. On Saturday, October 14 at 7:30, this multitalented Broadway performer who has the "inside track" on all things Billy Joel will present a fantastic concert of music by Billy and others. Wade's 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. Best known for being "the piano man" in Billy Joel's Broadway hit Movin' Out, Wade was an original cast member and is credited with having done the show more times than anyone of the full 3½ year run. In fact, when Billy was preparing for the historic Last Play at Shea concerts, he hirEd Wade as his stand in for months of rehearsals, preparations and sound checks. This one night only show is unlike anything Cortland has ever seen. Tickets are $25.00 and a beer/wine cash bar will be available.

Following the second Trivia Night on October 19, CRT Downtown presents an ITALIAN COMEDY FESTA. America's top Italian-American stand-up comics generate the laughs as they talk about growing up Italian with food, family and funny! Featuring "clean" comics Johnny Rizzo and Liz Russo, CRT reminds all that one doesn't have to be Italian to get the jokes about lasagna! Advance tickets are $20; tickets the day of will be $25. A beer/wine cash bar will be available.

Next up on Saturday, October 28, CRT Downtown welcomes CHARLIE BERTINI AND THE APPLEJAZZ BAND in a special afternoon concert at 3:00 PM. The AppleJazz Band was created 32 years ago when Cortland native Charlie Bertini teamed with local Syracuse musicians to produce an annual summer jazz concert at the Little York Pavilion. Over the years it grew to become one the longest running continuous musical jazz events in the history of Central New York, featuring many musical guests and playing to packed houses. The band reads as a who's-who of incredible musicians including trumpeter Charlie Bertini, saxman Terry Myers, trombonist John Allred, guitarist Mark Doyle, bassist Ronnie France, pianist Jeff Phillips, drummer Dave Hanlon, and singer Ronnie Leigh. Spontaneous and aggressive, these pros tear up the stage with jazz classics. If you love jazz, live concerts or just having a fantastic musical time, this is one concert not to be missed. Early Bird tickets until September 16 are $40.00; after will be $45.00. A beer/wine cash bar will be available - please, no outside food or beverages.

Next on Saturday, November 4, "Sister" returns to Cortland in LATE NITE CATECHISM 3: 'TIL DEATH DO US PART, with two performances, at 2:00 PM and 7:30 PM. After teaching countless students all about the saints, venial sins, guilt, limbo and more, Sister is now offering up her hilarious lessons on the Sacraments of Marriage and Last Rites, including her own wacky version of "The Newlywed Game." Classroom participation is a must, so bring along your sweetie and your sense of humor for some quality time with Sister, the feistiest marriage counselor in town! Tickets are $25.00 and the beer/wine cash bar will be available.

The next day, on Sunday, November 5, The Traveling Lantern Theatre Company returns with their children and family version of ROBIN HOOD with a one-time only performance at 2:00 PM. With heroic deeds and jolly adventures, children in the audience participate in the telling of the exuberant tale of intrepid Robin Hood and his Merry Men, who jauntily escape from the clutches of the ill-disposed Sheriff of Nottingham! General Admission tickets are $7.00 per person.

Now for something completely different. On Saturday, November 11 at 8:00 PM, CRT presents the all-male revue HUNKS - THE SHOW. Hailed as "The Ultimate Ladies Night Out", this slightly naughty, slightly bawdy production is the premier, world traveling Las Vegas male revue. These chiseled dancers have been seen on Reality TV, Vh1, and Dancing with the Stars and have modeled for Calvin Klein, Abercrombie & Fitch and Muscle & Fitness Magazine. Tickets are already selling quickly, so this is sure to be the hottest ticket in town! This is a ladies only, 21 and up event. VIP (front row) seating is $40.00, Non-VIP seating if purchased before September 16 is $30.00, after Sept 16 is $35.00. Tickets for groups of 8 or more are $25.00. A beer/wine cash bar will be available.

Events in December include CRT's 3rd Annual PHOTOS WITH SANTA on December 2nd and 3rd, The Traveling Lantern Company's production of THE STORY OF EBENEZER SCROOGE on December 10th at 2:00 and the 3rd Annual DANCIN' THRU THE DECADES New Year's Eve dance. For more information on any of these shows or events, please visit www.cortlandrep.org. Tickets are available for purchase online at the theatre's website, or by calling 800-427-6160 or by visiting CRT Downtown at 24 Port Watson Street in Cortland.

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