CRT Broadcasts 2019 Winter/Spring Season At CRT Downtown

The Cortland Repertory Theater is pleased to announce a full suite of shows and events for the winter and spring at its downtown performing arts facility, located at 24 Port Watson Street in historic downtown Cortland. The entrance fees vary depending on the event. Starting in January, a series of monthly TRIVIA NIGHTS are planned for the THIRD THURSDAY for the first four months of the year. On January 17th, February 21st, March 21st and April 18th at 7:00 p.m., trivia fans in teams of up to 4 people will be challenged to six rounds with five questions on a wide range of topics. This fundraiser for the CRT Youth Programs promotes a friendly competition between families, friends, and businesses with prizes for each round and a grand prize for an evening, including CRT tickets. Entry is $ 5.00 per person and a beer / wine bar is available.

On Friday and Saturday, February 15 and 16, CRT will present CAROLE’S KINGS with the music of the successful Broadway musical Beautiful – The Carole King Musical. Legendary singer-songwriter King gets a brand new sound with this dynamic performance of the world’s first all-male Carole King tribute. This trio of incredibly talented New York stage veterans deliver a jam-packed evening of music, memories, and sensations including getting around, So Far Away You Have a Friend, I Feel the Earth Moving, A Beautiful Day, and much more. With lush orchestrations, great singing and fun comedy, this one-of-a-kind concert offers a one-of-a-kind experience that is fun for the whole family. The evening starts at 7:30 am; Tickets are $ 30.00 each.

Shortly after the second Trivia Night on February 21st, some of Cortland’s best artists will be showcased at the CORTLAND REP WINTER ART GALLERY in the downtown Grand Hall. From February 22 to March 3, CRT Downtown will become a visual arts cultural hub, featuring paintings, photographs, sculptures and more by Cortland’s finest artists, including professionals and students. Participants can be the first to visit the gallery when it opens on Friday, February 22nd and have light appetizers, a beer / wine bar and the opportunity to bid on raffle baskets. The gallery will be open for daily viewing for the next week with a proposal for an entrance donation. Further details on the submission of works of art and the exact opening times of the gallery will follow.

Second try is the charm! Last winter COMEDIAN BENGT WASHBURN was canceled due to a snow storm. Also this year it is on the program again, on Saturday, March 9th at 7:30 p.m. As seen on Conan, Comedy Central, and The Late Late Show with Colin Ferguson, Bengt (pronounced “bent”) offers his one-of-a-kind view of the world in an evening of “clean,” PG-rated comedy. Bengt is a past winner of the prestigious San Francisco International Comedy Competition and has performed at the Vancouver International Comedy Festival, Boston Comedy Festival, Aspen Laff Festival, and Gilda’s Laugh Fest in Grand Rapids, Michigan. An evening with Bengt presents the world through the eyes of a Mormon man from a small town who has easily gone wrong. His reasoning is clever, philosophical, sophomoric and hilarious. Tickets are $ 20.00 upfront and $ 25.00 on the day of the show.

The CRT Guild’s annual Mystery Dinner Theater takes place on Thursday, March 21, around March Trivia Night and features three performances: Saturday, March 16, Friday, March 22, and Saturday, March 23. This year’s production is performed by the Syracuse Acme Mystery Company A SPOON OF POISON. Murder is so terribly rude, but that’s the problem that everyone’s favorite nanny, Mary Popouts, has to grapple with. The kids have grown up, but Michael’s rise to the top of the Dependable Depository Bank has left a trail of mysterious deaths. How terribly rude! Is Michael a Murderer? Is Bart the chimney sweep cleaning up? What exactly does Sister Jane do in the evening? Be there when Scotland Yard crashes Michael’s surprise party. Doors open at 6:30 a.m. The meal is provided by Linanis Catering of Homer and includes appetizer, dinner, desert, and coffee. A beer / wine bar is available. All tickets are $ 50.00.

Next up is actor, singer, songwriter, musician, comedian, TV presenter, movie star, entertainer and old friend John Davidson for an evening of songs and stories on Saturday March 30th at 7:30 pm. This show business legend did it all, from performing in Las Vegas showrooms to hosting Hollywood Squares: That’s Incredible! and the Tonight Show; from appearing in the Disney films The Happiest Millionaire and The One And Only Genuine Original Family Band to the Broadway stage in State Fair and Oklahoma! and national tours, including playing the wizard in Wicked. Mr. Davidson now entertains America as a traveling troubadour with his guitar and brings his personal, charming show of songs and stories to intimate places. In the circular seating arrangement of CRT Downtown, there is nothing better than seeing him live.

On Saturday, April 6th at 7:30 pm, TWO ON TAP comes with a great tap duo that takes the audience back to the time of Fred and Ginger as well as Mickey and Judy. Broadway and Radio City Music Hall artists Melissa Giattino and Ron DeStefano pay tribute to the Great American Songbook and classic Broadway song-and-dance in this fun, lively, and fast-paced show with the audience singing and dancing. With great songs such as I Got Rhythm, Yes Sir, That’s My Baby, Sing, Sing, Sing and LOVE, Two on Tap shows with fresh, original choreography how classic tap still endures and entertains. It’s a really unique experience for all ages! Tickets are $ 20.00 each.

Another Trivia Night will take place on April 18th, followed by the return of THE DOZEN DIVAS on Saturday, April 27th at 7:30 p.m. This unique and hysterical show is performed by the brilliant impressionist and trained classical singer Dorothy Bishop. Ms. Bishop performed at the CRT Downtown in 2015 to sell houses, and she’s back with all of her divas … including some new ones … in tow. Cher, Stevie, Dolly, Barbra, Liza, Adele, Madonna and others visit us, all brilliantly performed by this incredibly talented artist in stunning costumes. It’s a great night out with most of Hollywood. Tickets are $ 25.00.

The end of the spring season on May 3rd and 4th at 7.30pm is the CRT Downtown debut of Paula Hanke and Peggy Ratusz in LOVE IS A ROSE: CELEBRATING THE MUSIC OF Linda Ronstadt. This warm and charismatic duo from North Carolina is one hit after another from Ms. Ronstadt’s eclectic 28-album catalog, adding personal stories of their impressive achievements. Star Search cast and opening act for The Beach Boys team up with a duo of guitar and bass to create incredible hits like “When Am I Loved?”, “Blue Bayou”, “That Will Be the Day”, “It Is So easy, poor, poor, pathetic “to sing I, Lo Siento Mi Vida, you are not good, what is new and much more. Tickets are $ 30.00.

For more information about these shows or events, please visit CortlandRep.org. Tickets can be purchased online from the theater’s website at 800-427-6160 or from CRT Downtown at 24 Port Watson Street in Cortland. The winter / spring times are Mon-Fri 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 a.m. and Saturdays from 12:00 p.m. to 7:30 a.m. if a performance is planned for that evening. Tickets for the summer season of productions at the Little York Pavilion will go on sale May 20th.

Cortland Repertory Theater P.O. Box 783 Cortland, NY 13045 Admin: 607-753-6161 Box Office: 607-756-2627 www.cortlandrep.org Head Office & Winter Productions: CRT Downtown, 24 Port Watson St. Cortland Summer Performances: The Little York Pavilion, 6799 Little York Lake Road, Preble