As we move into 2024, arts and entertainment events look to pick up where they left off in 2023.
And the region’s residents seem to enjoy the programming that area venues provide.
LUCILLE BALL LITTLE THEATRE OF JAMESTOWN
It’s great to see local talent perform in musicals and plays, and LBLTJ has the menu productions to serve. LBLTJ is a place where people thinking about learning more about acting, or well-developed amateurs who want to better develop their skills have chances to explore their possibilities.
Executive Director Holly Weston said 2024 will be similar to 2023. In 2024, a performance of The Outsiders will be held during February. Weston said when choosing a show, LBLTJ’s artistic direction committee does research on what’s available, and how each show can be produced on LBLTJ’s stage.
“The Outsiders is the next big thing that we’re doing. People know the book, they read it, and kids are reading it in school. There’s other shows where like, maybe you’ve heard of them before, but it’s a modern twist on something. It’s a new playwright who’s maybe, taken a spin on a classic that you know, and made it their own, and we’re able to bring that new version of it to our stage,” Weston said.
Here are some shows slated for the new year.
— The Outsiders: The Outsiders is a searing story of real kids in real situations with real consequences seen through the eyes of young Ponyboy. Territorial battles between the have-it-made rich kids — the Socs — and Ponyboy’s tough, underprivileged “greaser” family and friends are just a part of life. But even in the midst of urban gang warfare, somehow Ponyboy can’t forget a short poem that speaks to their fragile young lives. This heroic story of belonging, friendship, and maintaining hope in the face of struggle is a powerful reminder of what young people encounter every day. Performances scheduled for February — lbltj.com.
— Emma: A playful twist on a classic. Emma Woodhouse prides herself on being a matchmaker with an impeccable track record, much to the chagrin of her dear friend Mr. Knightley. Her latest scheme revolves around the sweet Harriet Smith, whom Emma advises to reject a perfectly good marriage proposal in favor of another eligible bachelor. However, her best-laid plans are turned upside down by unpredictable displays of affection, unexpected rivals and Emma’s sudden realization that true love may have been under her nose all along. With screwball comedy and surprises aplenty, this fresh, fast-paced world premiere interprets the Jane Austen classic with delightfully unconventional flair. Performances scheduled for March – lbltj.com.
— Rock Of Ages: It’s the tail end of the big, bad 1980s in Hollywood, and the party has been raging hard. Aqua Net, Lycra, lace and liquor flow freely at one of the Sunset Strip’s last legendary venues, a place where sex machine Stacee Jaxx takes the stage and scantily clad groupies line up to turn their fantasies into reality. Amidst the madness, aspiring rock star (and resident toilet cleaner) Drew longs to take the stage as the next big thing (and longs for small-town girl Sherri, fresh off the bus from Kansas with stars in her eyes). But the rock ‘n’ roll fairy tale is about to end when German developers sweep into town with plans to turn the fabled Strip into just another capitalist strip mall. Can Drew, Sherri and the gang save the strip — and themselves — before it’s too late? Only the music of bands Styx, Journey, Bon Jovi, Whitesnake and more hold the answer. Performances scheduled for September — lbltj.com.
— Dracula The Musical: It is is a thrilling drama of suspense and a Gothic romance of dreamlike temptation. Set in Europe at the end of the Victorian Age, the story follows the famed vampire as he lusts for new blood. Jonathan Harker and Mina Murray fall victim to Dracula’s unnatural charm and, along with Doctor Van Helsing, must fight Dracula’s supernatural powers. Performances scheduled for October — perfect for Halloween.
NATIONAL COMEDY CENTER
In August, The National Comedy Center holds the Lucille Ball Comedy Festival. The festival attracts comedy enthusiasts from all over the globe.
The three-day festival has more than 50 live events, including stand-up showcases, late night comedy, block parties, Lucy tribute events, kids’ comedy and live music.
Previous Festival headliners, according to comedy center.org, include Jerry Seinfeld, Trevor Noah, Lily Tomlin, John Mulaney, Amy Schumer, W. Kamau Bell, Sebastian Maniscalco, Jim Gaffigan, Paula Poundstone, Joan Rivers, Jeff Foxworthy, Margaret Cho, SNL Legends David Spade, Rob Schneider and Kevin Nealon along with more than one hundred other comedic artists. The 2023 festival featured record-breaking comedians Gabriel “Fluffy” Iglesias and Taylor Tomlinson.
In June, comedian Tom Segura is scheduled to perform at Northwest Arena. According to comedy center.org, Segura is one of the biggest names in the comedy business. He recently toured over 300 cities on his I’m Coming Everywhere world tour. He is best known for his Netflix specials Ball Hog (2020), Disgraceful (2018), Mostly Stories (2016), and Completely Normal (2014). His fifth Netflix special Sledgehammer released July 4, 2023 and debuted at No. 1 on the streaming service. In July 2022, Segura released his New York Times Bestselling book “I’d Like To Play Alone, Please.”
If you attend NCC, be prepared to spend a lot of time there. It’s the go-to place for comedy as it keeps attracting guests and celebrities with its immersive, interactive exhibits.
CHAUTAUQUA INSTITUTION
During the season, the Chautauqua Symphony Orchestra will hold special concerts that include playing movie soundtracks while the movie is playing. It brings a whole new experience to watch waiting the movie and hearing the background music being performed live. CSO Principal Pops Conductor Stuart Chafetz guides the orchestra through the passages, so the music and the movie tie in perfectly together.
Chautauqua’s website, chq.org, said Chafetz is the first principal pops conductor of the Chautauqua Symphony Orchestra. Chafetz, the CSO’s longtime principal timpanist, has served for more than a decade in a guest pops conductor capacity for the ensemble. Chafetz also serves as principal pops conductor of the Columbus Symphony Orchestra, and is the principal pops conductor of the Marin Symphony. A conductor celebrated for his dynamic and engaging podium presence, Chafetz is increasingly in demand with orchestras across the continent.
Some of the shows the CSO are scheduled to perform are Jurassic Park In Concert, and In the Air Tonight: A Symphonic Celebration of Genesis & Phil Collins with the Chautauqua Symphony Orchestra. The website said it is a symphonic tribute featuring two vocalists: Aaron Finley and Brook Wood.
REG LENNA
From movies, concerts or youth series live performances, The Reg Lenna Center for the Arts is the place in Jamestown where people for those types of experiences. Movies at The Reg as well as the You Series are very popular. The website, reglenna.com said area students often have their first theatrical experiences when they attend Youth Series events which can include children’s book adaptations, live music, historical dramas, dance, science and more are explored through high-quality, live performances from nationally touring artists.
Here are some shows slated for 2024:
— Cirque Mechanics: Zephyr – inspired by a visit to a working windmill in central England, Zephyr (which means gentle breeze from the Greek god of the west wind Zephyrus) tells the story of Nigel, mill owner and operator, and his complicated relationship with wind, the natural resource that powers his flour mill. His reliance on wind is tested and in turn he is lured by fuel in the name of progress as his primary energy source Performance scheduled for January – reglenna.com.
— Animaniacs in Concert — join the voices of Animaniacs — the iconic animated Warner Bros series (produced by Steven Spielberg) — for a “zany, animany and totally insaney” evening as they perform the world-famous songs from the beloved cartoon series backed by the original projected animation. Performance scheduled for March — reglenna.com.
— The Femmes of Rock — The Femmes of Rock show is a high-energy rock production fronted by four female violinists/vocalists. Virtuosic arrangements, original material, a live rock backing band, video, lights, choreography, comedy, and more can be expected in this energetic show that leaves audiences awed. The only one of its kind, there are no other similar string acts operating at this level of production. Be prepared for something that you have not yet seen the likes of. Performance scheduled for April — reglenna.com.
