Press release:
The Genesee Center for the Arts at Genesee Community College is pleased to announce the calendar of spring events for its 20th season at the Stuart Steiner Theatre. The Center for the Arts is proud to bring in a jam-packed schedule with a variety of artists and productions to the community at large.
Live Performances in the Stuart Steiner Theatre:
"Extremities" by William Mastrisimone, staged by the Aegis Project of Buffalo, for one performance at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 16. The Aegis Project is an initiative to raise rape awareness through theatrical productions on college campuses throughout the region. Tickets are $3 for all ages and all proceeds go to the Aegis Project for local rape awareness projects. Please note this production is appropriate for ages 16 and over.
Hailed as "WNY's Father of Country Music," Ramblin' Lou brings his Family Band, to the Genesee Center for the Arts for an afternoon of classic country music beginning at 3 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 19. Tickets are $10 adults, $8 seniors (55+), $5 students and GCC faculty/staff, $3 GCC students with valid ID and $2 discount for GCC alumni with alumni card.
Genesee's Forum Players present "God's Favorite," a Neil Simon comedy, at 7:30 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, March 29 - 31, with a Sunday matinee at 2 p.m. on April 1. Directed by Maryanne Arena, this is a modern tale, loosely based on the Book of Job, in which God and Satan make a bet, and God puts his trust in Joe, a wealthy businessman living with his family in suburban Long Island, to keep his faith. God's messenger, sent to test Joe's faith, is a wisecracking guy from Queens. Simon poses questions about life, but never loses his sense of humor! Tickets are $8 adults, $5 seniors (55+), students, and GCC faculty/staff, $3 GCC students with valid ID. No children under the age of 5 permitted. Please note that this production is appropriate for ages 16 and over.
The Genesee Center for the Arts continues its commitment to introducing performing arts to children, families, and schools throughout the Western New York area with "The Princess and the Goblin" by Stuart Paterson, a magical tale of young Princess Irene finding the strength to take on the world. Packed with fun and adventure, it's a rich and magical play for the entire family! The Genesee Forum Players featuring GCC students as the cast and crew, and Norm Gayford, GCC English professor will be directing. Daytime performance dates are scheduled for Wednesday, April 18, Thursday, April 19 and Friday, April 20, with invitations sent to all the local schools. There will be one public performance at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, April 20. Tickets are $8 adults, $5 seniors (55+), students, and GCC faculty/staff, and $3 GCC students with valid ID and $2 discount for GCC alumni with alumni card. Children under the age of 12 free!
The Fine and Performing Arts Committee at the Genesee Center for the Arts is participating in March's Arts Awareness Week with two workshops that are free and open to the public. From 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Tuesday, March 27 in the Forum of Batavia's main campus, local artists will be demonstrating origami, bookbinding, pottery, needle felting, painting, photography and more in hands-on workshops. On Thursday, March 29, Jeffrey Sweet will be presenting a workshop on playwriting, as well as doing a one-man performance of "You Only Shoot the Ones You Love." Please note that this short play is appropriate for ages 16 and over.
The Genesee Symphony Orchestra returns to Genesee Community College for its 64th season with one performance at the Stuart Steiner Theatre: "Musical Safari" at 4 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 26. A second concert, "Musical Salute," is scheduled at 4 p.m. on Sunday, April 29 at the Elba Central School auditorium. Tickets are $12 adults, $8 seniors (62+), $5 students (18 and under or GCC students with a valid ID) or $30 family (parent plus children 12 and under). For full schedule and tickets, visit the GSO at www.geneseesymphony.com
A special GCASA jazz event taking place at the Stuart Steiner Theatre will be the Glenn Miller Orchestra, with an opening act of the Genesee-Orleans All-Star Jazz Ensemble, at 2 p.m. on Sunday, March 4. This is a fundraising event for GCASA, and tickets are $30 adults, $15 seniors (65+) and $15 students with ID. All tickets are general seating and expected to sell out early, so get your tickets soon at Roxy's Music Store and the GCASA office in Batavia. The Genesee Center for the Arts Box Office will also have tickets available, cash or check only for this event, but call ahead to check tickets availability.
The last event of the season is a collaborative event with the Genesee County Mental Health Association and Maryanne Arena, director of fine and performing arts at GCC. A one-act play by Marsha Norman " 'Night, Mother" will be performed at 7 p.m. on Friday, May 11. Starring Maryanne and Jaime Arena, it features a daughter, Jessie, and her mother, Thelma, in a story about suicide. For ticket prices and selling locations, visit GCMHA at www.gcmha.org. All proceeds will benefit GCMHA. Please note that this play is appropriate for ages 16 and over.
For general information, contact the Genesee Center for the Arts Box Office at 345-6814, or by email at boxoffice@genesee.edu. For door-to-door directions sent via email, visit www.genesee.edu.
