CenterStage Theatre
CenterStage's 2024–25 Season
Season Announcement coming soon!
photos by Lou Schneider
Sisters in Law
April 6–21, 2024
By Jonathan Shapiro
Based on the book by Linda Hirshman
Directed by Alexa Scott Flaherty
While Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Sandra Day O’Connor had a lot in common as the first two women on the U.S. Supreme Court, their methodologies and political leanings couldn’t have been more opposite. This new play by Emmy and Peabody award-winner Jonathan Shapiro, based on the award-winning 2015 book, brings to life a friendship of two iconic figures that transcended political party, religion, and culture.
Featuring Karin Bowersock (Becoming Dr. Ruth) and Patricia Lewis (Other Desert Cities).
FINAL WEEKEND!
Thursday, April 18, 7pm
Saturday, April 20, 7:30pm
Sunday, April 21, 2pm [OC]
JCC Members: $30
Non-Members: $35
Students: $20
[OC] = Live Open Captioned performance
Run Time:
About 90 minutes, no intermission.
Sponsored by:
Judge Karen Morris
Community Partners:
Beautiful, the Carole King Musical
May 4–19, 2024
Music by Gerry Goffin, Carole King, Barry Mann, Cynthia Weil; Book by Douglas McGrath
Directed by Lindsay Warren Baker
Music Directed by Andrew Cooke
Choreography by Katie Keller Groat
Long before she became the iconic singer songwriter we know today, a young Carol Klein was turning out hits for some of the biggest acts in music from her cubicle in Manhattan’s Brill Building. Packed with over two dozen chart-topping hits, Beautiful is both the story of the American dream and the underbelly of the music industry.
Saturday, May 4, 7:30pm
Sunday, May 5, 2pm – SOLD OUT
Thursday, May 9, 7pm – SOLD OUT
Saturday, May 11, 7:30pm
Sunday, May 12, 2pm [OC]
Wednesday, May 15, 7pm – ADDED SHOW!
Thursday, May 16, 7pm
Saturday, May 18, 2pm – ADDED SHOW!
Saturday, May 18, 7:30pm
Sunday, May 19, 2pm
JCC Members: $35
Non-Members: $40
Students: $20
Sponsored by:
Dawn Lipson
Ideal seating on right side of the audience.
May 21–23, 2024
Leave the travel and details to us for an unforgettable 3-day, 2-night Broadway experience in New York City!
You will travel in style in a deluxe motor coach which will deliver you directly to your boutique hotel in Midtown Manhattan, and have best available seats to two shows that can only be seen on Broadway. Your host, Bob Sagan, has years of experience in leading theatre trips to NYC. With plenty of time to enjoy all the other delights of the city including shopping, museums, and attractions, this is a trip that you will remember for a lifetime!
$975 per person (double occupancy)
$1,295 per person (single occupancy)
Price includes:
• Deluxe Motor Coach travel to and from NYC
• 2 nights accommodation at the Ameritania at Times Square Hotel at 54th and Broadway
• Best available seats for Merrily We Roll Along (starring Daniel Radcliffe, Jonathan Groff, and Lindsay Mendez) and Water for Elephants (co-produced by Rachel Weinstein)*
• Breakfast each morning
• Plenty of free time to explore the city
*Shows are subject to change
SOLD OUT!
Click here to e-mail us with any questions.
Support the Arts
Donor: $100
Friend: $250
Patron: $500
Supporter: $1,000
Supporting Show Sponsors: $2,500
Lead Show Sponsor: $5,000
Supporting Season Sponsor: $10,000
Lead Season Sponsor $25,000
E-mail centerstage@jccrochester.org with any questions, or click below to give today!
About Us
CenterStage Theatre has been delivering spectacular performances that touch and inspire audiences for more than 40 seasons, including original plays and Broadway hits. We continue to open minds, start conversations, and delight theatre lovers, thanks to the support of patrons, volunteers, and sponsors.
The mission of CenterStage Theatre at the JCC is to entertain, enlighten and educate the Greater Rochester community by providing quality theatre that is relevant to the Jewish experience and has universal appeal.
Our focus is developing new works, presenting world and area premieres of America’s hottest new plays and musicals and re-imagining beloved classics. We love plays and musicals that spark conversations, celebrate world-changing people and events and bring the world closer together.
Ticketing Information
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This account is not associated with your JCC membership account, and your credit card information is not stored.
Promo Codes
If you have a promo code, it must be entered before selecting seats. After applying a promo code, you will receive additional pricing options when selecting seats, indicated by a star.
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Ticket Delivery
If you ordered electronic tickets, your tickets will be in your order confirmation e-mail from when the order was placed. Click the “VIEW ETICKETS” button at the top of this e-mail to open your tickets to open and either display on your phone or print out. Check your junk mail if you don’t see this e-mail (sent from “JCC Rochester”). You may be asked to authenticate your e-tickets by verifying your e-mail and order ID, or you can access your tickets via the attached pdf.
“Will call” tickets will be available for pickup up at the door starting 1 hour prior to showtime.
We can always print your tickets at the door regardless of delivery method – just ask at the box office when you arrive!
Subscribe + Save
Get discounted tickets when you buy a 4 or 5-show package.
Plus, free unlimited exchanges and no ticketing fees!
5-Show Package
JCC Member: $145
Non-Member: $170
Includes access to Lipson Lounge during CenterStage performances!
4-Show Package
JCC Member: $122
Non-Member: $142
Click here for info on our 2023–24 Season and to subscribe!
Tuesdays With Morrie
November 5–19, 2023
Love, Loss, and What I Wore
December 2–10, 2023
Hitmakers: Rock vs. Disco
February 3–18, 2024
Sisters in Law
April 6–21, 2024
Beautiful, the Carole King Musical
May 4–19, 2024
Accessibility
Hearing Assistance
- Theater equipped with an FM Hearing Assistance System. Ask the box office for details.
- 2nd Sunday shows will be Live Open Captioned. For best view, select seats on audience right (3rd-5th rows are ideal).
2023–2024 Season Open Captioned Dates
Tuesdays with Morrie – Sunday, November 12, 2pm
Love, Loss, and What I Wore – Sunday, December 10, 2pm
Hitmakers: Rock vs. Disco – Sunday, February 11, 2pm
Sisters in Law – Sunday, April 14, 2pm
Beautiful: The Carole King Musical – Sunday, May 12, 2pm
Accessible Approach/Entrance
- Venue is at ground level
- Route of travel not requiring use of stairs and is at least 36” wide
- Stability of route of travel (slip resistant, stable, firm)
- Objects can be detected by person with visual disability using a cane
- Curb cuts at drives, parking lot and drop-offs
Parking and Drop-Off Areas
- Accessible spaces closest to the entrance with accessible aisles
- Drop off with accessible path for paratransit users to entrance
- Parking lot with 20 van accessible spaces available
- Spaces are 8’ wide with minimum 8’ wide access aisles
- Access aisles for van accessible spaces marked with hash marks
- Accessible spaces marked with International Symbol of Accessibility
Entrance
- Main entrance accessible (no stairs)
- Entrance doors have at least 32” of clear opening
- At least 18” of clear wall on the pull side of door, next to handle
- Threshold edge accessible (1/4” or less)
- Door handle no higher than 48” and operable with a closed fist (can be opened with 5 lbs. or less pressure)
- Automatic opener available
Rooms and Spaces
- Aisles and pathways to materials and services at least 36” wide
- 5’ circle or T-shaped space for turning a wheelchair completely
- Obstacles are cane-detectable in circulation paths through public areas
- All doors in public spaces with at least 32” clear opening with at least 18” of clear wall space
Seats, Tables, and Counters
- Aisles between fixed seating at least 36” wide
- Wheelchair seating available at the top row on both sides of the theatre
- Companion seats alongside wheelchair seating (a range of stationary, portable and folding chairs)
- Seats available without arm rests in wheelchair spaces
- Counters for tickets and concessions accessible with a 36” wide section and free space in front of no less than 30” x 48”
- Items easily in reach on the counter (i.e. napkins, straws, etc.)
- Water fountain spout no higher than 36” and can be operated independently (with a closed fist) – clear space around fountain
Restrooms
- Accessible restrooms:
- One single person restroom
- Women’s room with one accessible stall
- Men’s room with one accessible stall
- Pictograms used to identify restrooms (doesn’t include braille)
- Doorway to restroom is at least 32” clear
- Restroom door equipped with accessible handles
- Adequate maneuvering space for a person using a wheelchair (at least 5’ x 5’ clear of the door swing)
- 36” wide path to all fixtures
- Stall doors operable with closed fist
- Grab bars behind and on the side of wall nearest to the toilet
- Toilet seat less than 19” high in the single person restroom; seat in stalls in women’s and men’s rooms at 20”-21” high)
- Faucet operable with closed fist
- Soap dispenser no higher than 44” in the single person restroom
- Paper towel dispensers not higher than 44”
Concessions
For regular CenterStage performances, concessions will be available before the show and during intermission if there is one. Concessions include bottled water and candy.
Select events may include a cash bar – this will be noted on the individual event information if applicable.
Our Lipson Lounge is available for CenterStage donors and subscribers including wine, coffee, and tea at no cost.
Gift Cards Avaialble
Choose your own amount, send via e-mail or print yourself, or contact us for a personalized gift certificate.
Auditions
Auditions for our SummerStage production of A Chorus Line will be Tuesday May 21 at 6pm. Callbacks May 22.
History
Theatre has also always been an important component of JY/JCC cultural arts offerings. Many shows were produced in the JY auditorium on Andrews Street. these shows were able to be produced in the newly built JCC Hart Theater. With superb acoustics and audience views from every seat in the house, the theater created an opportunity for an expanded focus on the arts.
In 1977 a committee of JCC volunteers launched a national search for a professional theater director. The committee selected Philadelphia-based actor/producer Herb Katz and JCC CenterStage was born.
Advisory Council
Chair
Robert Sagan
Council
Greg Barnard
Jennifer Galvez Caton
Daphne Cohen
Tom Deckman
Jackie DiBella
Claudette Entenberg
Bonnie Garner
Deborah Goldman
Cathy Johnson
Dawn Kellogg
Dawn Lipson
Sarah Mayer-Fried
Lynda Kessler Newman
Rita Rudnick
Laura Sadowski
Susan Sagan-Levitan
Lou Schneider
Elisa Seigel
Volunteer
All CenterStage volunteers must be fully vaccinated.
To learn more about volunteer opportunities, including backstage, front of house, and ushers, contact us.
Contact Us
Ralph Meranto
Director of CenterStage Theatre,
JCC Associate Executive Director
(585) 461-2000 x236
Marc Cataldi
Administrative Assistant
Box Office Manager
(585) 461-2000 x235
Crafted from the actual testimonies of Rochester-based Holocaust Survivors, CenterStage Theatre and the Louis S. Wolk Jewish Community Center of Greater Rochester commissioned this new play to put a human face on this important time in history. A cautionary tale on the risks of normalized hate, this inspirational and uplifting play ensures that the voices of our Survivors will never be silenced.
Season Sponsors:
Anonymous
Ames Amzalak Memorial Trust
Brighton Securities
Cornell/Weinstein Family Foundation
Jacqueline Davis
Christine and Donald Dear
Deborah G. Goldman
Humanities NY
Elaine Jacobsen
Jewish Federation of Greater Rochester
Kim and Richard Gray
Dr. Elaine Greene
William and Sheila Konar Foundation
Dr. Dawn Lipson
Judge Karen Morris
NYS Council on the Arts
Panache Consignment by Natalie Rae
Progressive Implantology and Periodontics
RBC Wealth Management
Samloff Family Fund
Elaine and Leonard Simon
Frumel Ureles Fund for Theater Arts
St. John’s
Theatre Development Fund
Donna Weinstein
in Loving Memory of Min and Maynard Weinstein
Woods Oviatt Gilman LLP
CenterStage’s 2023–24 Season is presented in Memory of Min and Maynard Weinstein
Media Sponsors:
CenterStage Theatre at the JCC
is a proud member of TheatreRocs
Photos by Steve Levinson, Lou Schneider