ChappPAC Saved From Demolition

From Chappaqua Performing Arts Center: Like the phoenix that rises from the ashes, one of New Castle’s hidden treasures is finding new life as a unique cultural institution and upscale entertainment destination. Located on the former campus of Reader’s Digest in a building once known as the Wallace Auditorium, the Chappaqua Performing Arts Center -- or ChappPAC for short -- was recently saved from demolition. The Chappaqua Performing Arts Center was established to provide a blend of local and national arts and cultural programming for people throughout Westchester County and the region.

Lisa Katz, New Castle Town Councilwoman and chair of the New Castle Arts & Culture Committee, oversaw the acquisition of the arts center, and subsequently negotiated its sale to the town. John Fanelli, a veteran theater professional who was previously associated with the Westchester Broadway Theatre, and is artistic director for his own Standing Ovation Studios and Lighthouse Youth Theater, has been appointed the manager of ChappPAC.

The 425-seat venue will have its grand opening on September 23, 2017 with the first of 12 concerts, plays and performances scheduled for its inaugural Fall Season. It’s a diverse, imaginative and exceptionally entertaining line-up, ranging from the remarkable jazz stylings of internationally acclaimed singer Cyrille Aimee and the driving rhythms of the ground-breaking percussion ensemble Sō Percussion, to perennial favorites such as “The Rocky Horror Picture Show,” as well as original plays and musicals, a concert by renowned guitarist Matt Schofield, and tributes to such American musical icons as Frank Sinatra and the Allman Brothers Band. Entertainment will be offered for all ages, including a full slate of children’s programming.

In addition, a capital fundraising campaign has been initiated by Friends of Chappaqua Performing Arts Center, the non-profit established to provide financial support to ChappPAC. An inaugural fundraising gala will take place November 4, 2017.

Speaking on behalf of the Town of New Castle, Katz says she’s thrilled about the potential this new not-for-profit arts institution offers residents and visitors alike. “Our goal is to make this the preeminent venue for the arts in Northern Westchester,” she stated. “ChappPAC will be a true gem for this community, offering people of all ages an opportunity to enjoy first class entertainment practically in their own backyard.”

Fanelli echoes those comments. “Ultimately, we want to make this a performance destination that will allow people to come and witness an outstanding array of live entertainment that can be enjoyed by the entire family.”

Fifty to sixty shows are already being planned for next year, Fanelli says, adding, “We’ll have something for everyone.”

Tickets go on sale to the general public Friday, August 11, 2017 at 10amand can be purchased through Ticketmaster.com or by phone 1-800-745-3000.

2017 CHAPPAQUA PERFORMING ARTS CENTER FALL SEASON LINE UP

9/23 Cyrille Aimee (Jazz)
10/8 Tim Kubart & The Space Cadets (Children)
10/14 So Percussion (Classical)
10/20 Soulshine: An Allman Brothers Experience (Rock)
10/27 Rocky Horror Picture Show (Film)
10/28 Echos of Sinatra (Swing)
11/2 Matt Schofield (Blues)
11/4 ChappPAC Gala
11/11 The Greatest Pirate Story (N)ever Told! (Children)
12/1 What Fresh Hell Live! (Spoken Word)
12/9 Ragtag Theatre’s Cinderella (Children)
12/17 ELF (Film)


EVENT DESCRIPTIONS AND TICKET INFORMATION

CYRILLE AIMEE
Saturday, September 23, 2017 at 8pm.
Tickets: $25, $35, $75
Called “one of the most promising jazz singers of her generation” by the Wall Street Journal, Cyrille Aimee is a vocalist with French and Dominican roots who fell in love with gypsy music and their way of life at an early age. Her hybrid of influences has resulted in an award-winning vocal style that incorporates gypsy swing with Brazilian rhythms and melodies into well-known standards and original compositions. http://cyrillemusic.com/

TIM KUBART & THE SPACE CADETS
Sunday, October 8, 2017 at 2pm.
Tickets: $15, $18, $30
Awarded a Grammy for “Best Children’s Album,” Tim Kubart is the host for the popular preschool program “Sunny Side Up,” on NBC Universal’s Sprout Channel. He is also known as the “Tambourine Guy” from the international touring group Postmodern Jukebox. Tim Kubart and his band, the “Space Cadets,” deliver a highly interactive, family friendly dance party for all ages. http://www.timkubart.com/

Sō PERCUSSION
Saturday, October 14, 2017 at 8pm.
Tickets: $30, $45, $60
Groundbreaking percussion quartet Sō Percussion has redefined the modern percussion ensemble, pushing its voice to the forefront of American musical culture. Praised by the New Yorker for their “exhilarating blend of precision and anarchy, rigor and bedlam,” Sō’s repertoire includes from “classics” of the 20th century, by John Cage and Steve Reich, contemporary composers and original works. https://sopercussion.com/

SOULSHINE: AN ALLMAN BROTHERS EXPERIENCE
Friday, October 20, 2017 at 8pm.
Tickets: $15, $25
Paying homage to the classic songs of The Allman Brothers Band, SoulShine presents an authentic experience, capturing the sound, style and feel of one of the world’s greatest rock and roll bands. Come hear your favorites “Ramblin Man” “One Way Out” “Whippin Post” “Melissa” and many more. https://www.facebook.com/SoulShineABB/

ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW
Friday, October 27, 2017 at 8pm.
Tickets: $20
A cult classic! A satirical tribute to the science fiction and horror B-movies of the 1940s and ‘50s, it tells the tale of a storm-caught engaged couple that ends up at the home of a cross-dressing mad scientist who has created a muscular strongman named Rocky Horror. Comic madness ensues. The 1975 film stars Tim Curry, Susan Sarandon, Barry Bostwick and its screenplay writer Richard O’Brien.

ECHOS OF SINATRA
Saturday, October 28, 2017 at 8pm.
Tickets: $25, $35, $75
Truly a celebration of a great American icon! The show takes you on a musical journey through time and traces the career and life of Frank Sinatra. It is a fast-paced performance featuring interesting insider stories, classic songs and world class musicianship as expressed by tribute artist Steven Kazlauskas with the Tony T. Orchestra. Enjoy a Big Band experience and the elegant ‘Vegas style’dancers. http://echoesofsinatra.com/

MATT SCHOFIELD
Thursday, November 2, 2017 at 8pm.
Tickets: $17.50, $25, $35
This incredibly gifted guitarist has set the blues world ablaze with his fresh and passionate take on the genre. Named “Guitarist of the Year” three years running at the British Blues Awards, Schofield’s unmistakable sound blends influences from players like Robben Ford, Stevie Ray Vaughan, and Albert King. http://www.mattschofield.com/

ChappPAC GALA
Saturday, November 4, 2017 at 8pm
Inaugural Gala sponsored by Friends of ChappPAC, the non-profit established to provide financial support to ChappPAC. Funds raised will support their capital campaign, which focuses on making enhancements to the theater. The celebratory Gala will include entertainment, a cocktail reception, private VIP experience, a live auction and the opportunity to purchase personalized bricks for the ChappPAC entranceway. More details to be announced.
THE GREATEST PIRATE STORY NEVER TOLD
Saturday, November 11, 2017 at 2pm.
Tickets: $17.50
A crew of misfit pirates have only one chance to get their treasure; by performing the greatest pirate epic ever seen on stage! However, when half their script is missing, the audience helps fill in the blanks and laugh along as they IMPROVISE a brand new musical adventure based on your suggestions! Kids ages 5 and up. www.greatestpirate.com

WHAT FRESH HELL LIVE!
Friday, December 1, 2017 at 8pm.
Tickets: $20Comedians Margaret Ables and Amy Wilson bring their hit parenting podcast What Fresh Hell: Laughing in the Face of Motherhood to a live audience. Ables and Wilson combine their twenty-year friendship, their comic sensibilities and their usually completely-opposite approaches to parenting, for a ‘Mom’s Night Out’ full of games, laughs, and maybe even a little parenting advice. https://www.whatfreshhellpodcast.com/

RAGTAG THEATRE’S CINDERELLA
Saturday December 9, 2017 at 2pm.
Tickets: $17.50
This adaptation is performed in the street theater style known as Commedia dell’arte with larger-than-life characters, colorful song and dance numbers, and a great message on self-worth for kids. Winner of 2016 Off Broadway Alliance Award for Best Family Show. “Perfect for all ages and people attending, with or without kids in tow.” (BroadwayWorld.com) http://www.ragtagtheatre.com/

ELF (Film)
Sunday, December 17, 2017 at 2pm.
Tickets: $20
A hilarious tale about one of Santa’s elves (Will Farrell) who learns of his true identity as a human, embarks on a journey to New York City to find his biological father (James Caan) and helps New York remember the true meaning of Christmas. This modern-day Christmas classic is sure to make everyone embrace their inner ELF.

Image Courtesy of CPAC