The Rosendale Theatre celebrated its 60th anniversary earlier this year, and soon thereafter undertook one of the few major renovation projects of its six decades. Family co-owner Michael Cacchio oversaw the construction of a new stage – one that brings live performers closer to the audience and provides better acoustical reach to all seats in the house.
In addition to its main purpose (showing great films at a small-town price), the theater has always been a chosen venue for local talent and selected social/political gatherings. When Ann Citron decided to stage Jane Martin’s Talking with… her husband Pat teamed up with Bill Munzer and Carl Weldon to create the new performance space. They took out 30 seats, leaving the audience 275 to fill on any given night.
Cacchio says, “There was always ample room behind the stage for a cast, and eventually it’ll be made into dressing rooms. The family is happy with the quality of art coming; it’s the right change for us to go into: performance art, plays and concerts. We only paid for materials; Bill Munzer and the others donated their services to construct the new stage. We want to schedule plays once a month.” Already booked are Doug Motel and his one-man show in January, Hope’s Fund for the United Way in February, The Exonerated in March, and in April an all-female version of Glengarry Glen Ross.
Last month’s production of Talking with… was so successful that Citron is bringing it back for two encore performances on Friday and Saturday, November 13 and 14 at 8 p.m. each night. Citron describes the award-winning play, written in 1984, as one addressing timeless subjects: love, loss and letting go. “It’s very funny, but you get the messages and lessons: certain truths about people’s lives. Each of the characters is uniquely dealing with a thread that goes through the whole thing. It’s very well-written. And I can rehearse the women individually and put it together at the end.”
The ensemble cast includes performances by Jessica Barry, as an actress who has been to too many auditions; Jane Brown, as a rumpled bag lady convinced that she will find eternal life if only she can live at a McDonald’s; Beverly Brumm, as a grieving daughter reliving her mother’s final days; Virginia Ferri, as an actress facing a crisis of confidence; Kyra Greweling, as a cowgirl ranting about how commercialized the rodeo shows have become; Claudia Ross, as a baton-twirler who takes her skill to a surprising level; Mourka, who develops her own inner radiance; Julie Novak, who comes from a family of religious snakehandlers and questions her faith; Amy Poux, as a woman in labor praying for the love and commitment that she will need; and Eva Tenuto, as a former housewife who allows herself to be marked by life in the process of learning to love. Charlie Knicely provides musical segues on his electric bass.
As proprietor of Canaltown Alley Arts Center, Citron is a big believer in economic development through the arts – particularly when live performances bring packedhouse crowds into Main Street’s restaurants and shops. Don’t miss Talking with… this go-round. Tickets are $12.50, and reservations can be made at (845) 658- 8563 or at canaltownalley@aol.com. The Rosendale Theater is located at 408 Main Street in Rosendale. For more information, call the Cacchios at (845) 658-8989.