 White Plains, NY – The White Plains Performing Arts Center (WPPAC) has announced an exciting and varied Winter/Spring season which will be presented at its White Plains theatre, located on the third level of the City Center complex in downtown White Plains.
The productions appeal to a wide audience of children, families, serious music lovers and fans of the most beloved Broadway performers, shows, composers and lyricists.
For a jubilant, upscale celebration of the Holidays, a scripted and choreographed Holiday concert “We are Lights, ‘Tis the Season and More” is led by a large cast of Broadway, film and TV stars highlighted by the incomparable Tony Award Winner Melba Moore (Purlie, Hair, Les Miz), including Kevin Earley (A Tale of Two Cities), Liz Larson (Hairspray), Marsha Waterbury (Mamma Mia, Days of our Lives), Celina Carvajal (Tarzan), Kathy Deitch (Wicked), Jodie Langel (Les Miz),Jana Robbins (Gypsy),Cindy Robinson (Peter Pan) and the talented Craig Laurie, Chase Matthews and Elizabeth Torres. Also returning to the White Plains theatre for this holiday show will be some familiar and favorite performers including Cris Groenendaal, Carlos Lopez and Nick Wyman, who will host. Under the direction of Walter Winston O’Neil and music director Kim Douglas Steiner, the four performances run from Friday, December 11 through Sunday, December 13. An opportunity for local performers to join the Broadway stars on stage will be offered through auditions to be held at the Theatre later this month.
The always popular Family and Kids Series includes a selection of holiday shows beginning in early December. “Mistletunes” focuses on the rich diversity of cultural traditions and the unique end of year holiday celebrations. “Twas the Night before Christmas” is a hilarious musical view of a beneficent Santa. The Calpulli Mexican Dance Company returns with their colorful and exhilarating performances on January 31. “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory”, the beloved children’s story, will be presented in American Sign Language and spoken English on April 24th by a cast of deaf and hearing performers.
The Westchester Philharmonic series of Sunday matinee chamber concerts will kick off with a Holiday brass quintet on Sunday, December 6th with music from baroque to pops to holiday favorites. On Sunday, February 28th, the Philharmonic’s string quartet will chase away the winter blues with music of Mendelssohn and Haydn. The series concludes on Sunday, March 28th, with jazz music led by renowned Philharmonic percussionist Jim Saporito. The trio will perform selections from The Great American Songbook and jazz originals from their new CD.
Other offerings in the Broadway concert series include: “Mancini and Moonlight” starring Edward Watts and Jenn Gambetese (Tarzan and All Shook Up) on Saturday, February 13. “Musicals That Rock” is a must see for audiences who enjoy contemporary musical theatre presented by a star studded cast of Broadway veterans on Friday March 12 through Sunday, March 14. “Fascinating Gershwin” celebrates the music of George and Ira Gershwin with the incredible pianist Joseph Joubert, the stunning soprano Rosena Hill (last seen on the WPPAC stage in Ragtime) joined by baritone Nathaniel Stampley (The Lion King, The Color Purple) on Sunday, April 25. “Rogers and Hammerstein Celebration” is presented on Sunday, May 9th, starring Teri Dale Hansen (The Boys from Syracuse) and Nat Chandler (The Scarlet Pimpernel). The final concert of the season, “Today’s Broadway” celebrates current Broadway musicals performed by stars of contemporary shows including Leah Hocking (Billy Elliott), Sarah Uriarte Berry (The Light in the Piazza) and Norm Lewis (The Little Mermaid) on Saturday, June 12th.
“Forbidden Hollywood”, a hilarious spoof of film classics in the vein of Forbidden Broadway”, runs on Saturday, May 15th.
For further information about these events, updated cast listings and additional productions being added to the season schedule, visit www.wppac.com or call 914-328-1600.
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