Free Holiday Fun Sunday!

STS, ESRM and CMRR team up to provide some great, FREE holiday fun in Phoenicia on Sunday. The festivities start early with a Christmas play at the Shandaken Theatrical Society at 11am. Then there will be a Christmas party at the Empire State Railway Museum in Phoenicia from 1-4. And free train rides on the Catskill Mountain Railroad in Mount Tremper at 12, 1, 2 and possibly 3 (if there is enough people).  I hear that the big man himself (Santa) and his lovely wife (Mrs Claus) will also be in attendance. So come out and join your neighbors for some great family entertainment!

Play Fair 2013 Begins This Weekend

Talented actress and WCA member Noni Connor will be doing a piece at the Shandaken Theatrical Society's Play Fair 2013 starting this weekend. I am definitely playing to attend. Here is what Noni had to say about her upcoming performances.

Hi, All,
I'll be doing a short play by my amazing friend-since-grade-school playwright Paul Graham, acting opposite Woodstock Fringe Festival buddy Wallace Norman, at the most charming theater in the world, which happens to be in our little (upstate) town, Phoenicia! How wonderful is that!
Hope you can get there! It's this coming weekend and the one after, Friday and Saturday nights at 8 and Sunday matinees at 2, From August 16, 17, 18 and 23, 24, 25.
Here is the link to the sts website for information:
http://stsplayhouse.com/plays.html

Guys & Dolls At STS This Weekend

This Friday and Saturday night STS will be giving a performance of Guys and Dolls to benefit it's 'Raise the Roof' fund. The show stars “Uncle Rock” - Robert Warren, Phoenicia Festival of the Voice' performer, Woodland Valley's own Jay Brammen Jr. and Chuck Sokolowski, Former Broadway and regional theatre star Ann Davies, fresh from her critical success in Closer Than Ever – Amy Wallace, mother and daughter Katie and Lucia Legnini and husband and wife theatre veterans Jessica and Brian Sherman. The evening’s narrator and color commentator is Phoenicia’s own Dave Pillard owner of The Tender Land Home store on Main Street Phoenicia. Musical Director is Maria Todoro. Here are the details.

Guys and Dolls
STS Playhouse
Friday October 8 and Saturday October 9
7:00 pm
Tickets are $25.00 and include snacks and desserts
There will be a cash bar and raffle tickets will be sold for the 30 gift certificates available each night.

The STS Playhouse in Phoenicia needs a new roof.  The stage floor has holes in it, the windows need to be replaced, they need new curtains and there are many other repairs needed at the 123 year old space.  But how will they raise the money during a difficult economic time? This theatre has a twist on an old idea.
 
During intermission the theatre will be raffling gift certificates but this raffle is different.  “We know that area merchants are always asked to donate free things to many good causes.  What we wanted to do was stimulate business and help the merchants by asking for vouchers for a percentage off or money towards a larger purchase.  So far we have had a great response,”   says producer of the benefit, Michael Mills.  “We are calling it the Economic Stimulus Raffle and so far 30 local businesses including Woodstock Meats, The Emerson, Sweet Sue’s. The Phoenicia Belle and Oriel 9 have donated vouchers for each evening’s performance.”
 
“I’m in favor of helping a local non-profit organization keep a roof over its head.   The STS Playhouse and the other cultural things help make the town more vital.  This idea could be good for Phoenicia ” adds Tom Fraser who has donated 2 vouchers good for a free night stay with a paid night at the Phoenicia Belle B&B on Main Street Phoenicia.
 
In a show of bi-partisan support area politicians will act as raffle “officials” each night. On Friday evening Republican Shandaken Town Supervisor Rob Stanley will pull the winning numbers and on Saturday Ulster County Comptroller Elliott Auerbach, will do the honors.
 
“I like to support local causes and because we are a new business this idea may introduce us to new customers,” says Erica Makulich, chef and co-owner Yum-Yum Noodleshop a new restaurant and take-out in Woodstock.  They have donated two, 2 for 1 vouchers for dinner. 
 
You can reach the playhouse on the Web at STSPlayhouse.com or on Facebook at STS Playhouse Phoenicia.  On those sites you can find out about the theatre, donate to the “Raise The Roof” fund, buy tickets to the benefit or volunteer your time. They can also be reached at 845-688-2279
 

"Closer Than Ever" This Week at STS

Although the Phoenicia Festival of the Voice is over for this year, 'Closer Than Ever' is still playing at STS through the end of this week. I saw the opening on Saturday and would HIGHLY recommend it (and I am very picky about my theater). It is a wonderful production that would be at home on any stage in Manhattan. Below is a letter from WCA member Cardi O'Conner who is director of the show. Make your reservations now!!

Greetings,

Closer Than Ever opened yesterday to a huge standing ovation. The cast is brilliant, and the audience was clearly enthralled.

Next week there are six more magical performances, all to benefit the STS Playhouse "Raise the Roof" Fund.

So make your reservations soon! Bring your friends and family, and spread the word. Come and enjoy an enchanting evening of professional musical theater, and help us raise the Playhouse roof!

Performance Schedule:

Tuesday, August 17th @ 8:00 pm

Wednesday, August 18th @ 8:00 pm

Thursday, August 19th @ 8:00 pm

Friday, August 20th @ 8:00 pm

Saturday, August 21st @ 2:00 pm and 8:00 pm

STS Playhouse, 10 Church St., Phoenicia. Tickets are $15/$13 students, members, and seniors. Call 845-688-2279 for reservations. Visit the website: www.stsplayhouse.com for information and directions.

Best Wishes,

Ricarda O’Conner,

Producer and Director of Closer Than Ever

Shandaken Theatrical Society History

Here is a GREAT old photo of the first "official" STS production (although according to my sources 'Happiness Is Shandaken' was the inspiration for the society's beginning). It was a cast photo from The Sound of Music taken in 1977. If you look at the young woman standing on the far right you will see Woodland Valley resident and WCA member Jean Druffner. See was as beautiful then as she is now!

Also, for those of you who frequent the Methodist Church Thrift Store you may recognize the fabulous Ruth Houska standing on the left. She was obviously cast as Maria in the production which should be no surprise to anyone who has ever heard her sing while shopping. She has such a lovely voice! Standing next to her is Chet Gaede. Chet's family built and lived in the house now owned by Jim Frain on WV road. He died last February at the age of 86. What a great bit of theater history!