Blackfriars Theatre Announces 2018-2019 Season

Blackfriars Theatre is thrilled to present the 2018-2019 artistic season. The 2017-2018 season saw record growth and momentum under current Artistic & Managing Director, Danny Hoskins. Over 1500 Rochester residents attended the holiday production of Little Women, The Musical, Broadway's Rick Lyon will bring the original Broadway puppets to the theatre's upcoming production of Avenue Q, and for the first time in the theatre's 68-year history Blackfriars has added a third full time staff member.

"Over the past couple of years we've been talking about 'redefining expectations' for our patrons, our subscribers, our artists and ourselves," notes Danny Hoskins. "We've challenged ourselves to broaden our connection to the community, we've engaged with over a hundred new artists over the last three years, we've grown our subscriber and donor base exponentially and we've raised the bar on what to expect when you walk through our doors. Each of the past three seasons have been full of artistic surprises, powerful partnerships and exciting immersive experiences and this season proves to build on those promises."

The theatre will develop its current community partnerships while expanding their reach into new collaborations as well. Throughout the season and in different capacities, Blackfriars will collaborate with the Rochester Latino Theater Company, Record Archive, 94.1 the Zone, and Trillium Health - just to name a few. All of the artwork associated with the 2018-2019 artistic season is contributed by Nazareth College Visual Design students, Haotian Dong and Justine Chapron. All students in the design program at Nazareth present the Blackfriars team with samples, upon which time two winners are chosen and the remainder of the season is generated. This artistic partnership was anchored three years ago and continues to be a source of both community reciprocity and education.

Mr. Hoskins feels a great sense of pride in the wide array of partnerships the theatre maintains. "From our season opening partnership with the Rochester Latino Theatre Company, to RuPaul's Drag Race Alum Mrs. Kasha Davis headlining The Rocky Horror Show and taking it to New York City, to our season closer with a full out rock club on stage, complete with a bar and live bands - we're definitely upping the ante this season."

Fundraising and development will be a cornerstone of this season's efforts as the nonprofit continues to grow. To help set the stage for a fantastic new season, an anonymous donor has agreed to match up to $10,000 in new, increased or additional donations made to Blackfriars Theatre before June 30, 2018! The public and patrons of the theatre can double their impact with a tax-deductible gift through "The Dollar for Dollar Challenge" that runs April 9 through June 30. Donations can be made online at www.blackfriars.org or by mailing a check to Blackfriars Theatre at 795 E. Main Street, Rochester, NY 14605.

A CHORUS LINE

Music by Marvin Hamlisch, Lyrics by Edward Kleban, Book by James Kirkwood Jr. and Nicholas Dante

July 6-15, 2018

A CHORUS LINE is a stunning musical capturing the spirit and tension of a Broadway chorus audition. Exploring the inner lives and poignant ambitions of professional Broadway gypsies, the show features one powerhouse number after another. A brilliantly complex fusion of song, dance, and compellingly authentic drama, A CHORUS LINE departs from the usual glossy backstage musical by presenting a true picture of what it's like to be in the theatre and continues to be recognized as a classic.

ANNA IN THE TROPICS

Written by Nilo Cruz

September 7-23, 2018

ANNA IN THE TROPICS is a poignant and poetic new play set in Florida in 1929 in a Cuban-American cigar factory, where cigars are still rolled by hand and "lectors" are employed to educate and entertain the workers. The arrival of a new lector is a cause for celebration, but when he begins to read aloud from Anna Karenina, he unwittingly becomes a catalyst in the lives of his avid listeners, for whom Tolstoy, the tropics and the American dream prove a volatile combination.

THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW

Book, Music & Lyrics by Richard O'Brien

October 26 - November 11, 2018

THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW - On their way to visit an old college professor, two clean cut kids, Brad Majors and his fiancée Janet Weiss, run into car trouble and seek help at the site of a light down the road. It's coming from the Frankenstein place, where Dr Frank'N'Furter is in the midst of one of his maniacal experiments.... Sharpen your stilettos, freshen up your fishnets and get ready to ROCK!

THE LAST NIGHT OF BALLYHOO

Written by Alfred Uhry

December 14-31, 2018

THE LAST NIGHT OF BALLYHOO takes place in Atlanta, Georgia, in December of 1939. Gone with the Wind is having its world premiere, and Hitler is invading Poland, but Atlanta's elitist German Jews are much more concerned with who is going to Ballyhoo, the social event of the season. This Tony Award winning play tackles issues of prejudice, social class, and family disputes as characters face where they come from and are forced to deal with who they really are.

ORDINARY DAYS

Book, Music & Lyrics by Adam Gwon

February 1-17, 2019

A refreshingly honest and funny musical, ORDINARY DAYS is about making genuine connections in the city that never sleeps. Vibrant and memorable songs tell the story of four young New Yorkers whose lives intersect as they search for fulfillment, happiness, love, and cabs. Through a beautiful balance of humor and poignancy, Ordinary Days celebrates the millions of unique stories that combine to create the extraordinary culture of New York City.

MARURITIUS

Written by Theresa Rebeck

March 22-April 7, 2019

MAURITIUS - Stamp collecting is far more risky than you think. After their mother's death, two estranged half-sisters discover a book of rare stamps that may include the crown jewel for collectors. One sister tries to collect on the windfall, while the other resists for sentimental reasons. In this gripping tale, a seemingly simple sale becomes dangerous when three seedy, high-stakes collectors enter the sisters' world, willing to do anything to claim the rare find as their own.

THE UNDENIABLE SOUND OF RIGHT NOW

Written by Laura Eason

May 10-26, 2019

Taking place in the culturally fluid setting of Chicago in the early 90s, THE UNDENIABLE SOUND OF RIGHT NOW explores the generational struggle of adapting amid changing times and changing tastes. The story follows the life of Hank, owner of a legendary rock club that is struggling to stay afloat. When his beloved daughter, Lena, starts dating a rising-star DJ, Hank must contend with the destructive power of the Next Big Thing. Come get lost in the show that NYTheatreGuide.com calls "...funny, wrenching and right on the money."

2018-2019 Season Subscriptions are on sale now. Blackfriars offers five affordable and flexible options, ranging from $90 to $185. Every option offers our subscribers more savings than if they were to purchase single tickets. Full Season Subscriptions (regular and senior discounted) include all six season shows and range from $131 to $185 with exclusive benefits. Full Season Subscriptions are the only subscriptions that guarantee choice of show date and seating at time of purchase. They also include ticket insurance, which allows you free exchanges and the ability to redeem unused tickets. Flex Pass Subscriptions and the Show Day Pass give you added flexibility and a deeper discount. Three or four show Flex Passes ($90 or $120) allow you to pick and choose your titles from the six-show season. The Show Day Pass gives you the deepest discount for all six shows ($140) and allows you to book on the day-of only. For more information on subscribing to the 2018-2019 Season, please visit: www.blackfriars.org. If you have any questions about becoming a subscriber, please don't hesitate to contact the Box Office at (585) 454-1260.