CenterStage Theatre
Coming Up...
Ragtime, the Musical
May 6–21
Music and Lyrics by Stephen Flaherty and Lynn Ahrens
Book by Terrance McNally
Based on the novel, Ragtime by E.L. Doctorow
Directed and Choreographed by Esther Winter
Musical Direction by Andy Pratt
This sweeping musical portrait of early twentieth-century America tells the story of three families in the pursuit of the American Dream. United by their courage, compassion and belief in the promise of the future they each confront contradictions of wealth and poverty, freedom and prejudice, hope and despair…and what it means to live in America.
With support from
Debby Goldman, Dawn Lipson, and Rita Rudnick.
Saturday, May 6, 8pm
Sunday, May 7, 2pm
Thursday, May 11, 7pm
Saturday, May 13, 8pm
Sunday, May 14, 2pm*
Thursday, May 18, 7pm
Saturday, May 20, 8pm
Sunday, May 21, 2pm
*Live Open Captioned Performance
JCC Members: $35
Non-Member: $40
Students: $20
Covid-19 Policy
All patrons welcome regardless of vaccination status. Masks not required.
Requirements may vary when hosted by an outside organization.
Please check the event details.
Support the Arts
Actor: $100+
Friend: $250+
Patron: $500+
Supporter: $1,000+
Bronze: $2,500+
Silver: $5,000+
Gold: $10,000+
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.
Covid-19 Policy:
For all indoor events:
All patrons welcome regardless of vaccination status. Masks encouraged, and may be required depending on Covid conditions at the time of the event.
Covid-19 vaccination and masks not required.
Subscribe + Save
Subscription packages no longer available for this season.
2023–24 Season info coming soon!
Gift Cards Avaialble
Choose your own amount, send via e-mail or print yourself, or contact us for a personalized gift certificate.
Auditions
SummerStage 2023
SummerStage utilizes high school and college students. Tracks are unpaid. This is an audition program (not a camp). No enrollment fee to participate.
Austen’s Pride, A New Musical of Pride and Prejudice
Musical Director Julie Covach
The Prom
Musical Director Ellice Amendolare McQuay
Choreographer Katie Groat
For the first time ever, we will be holding COMBINED SUMMER AUDITIONS for JCC SummerStage and Blackfriars Theatre Summer Intensive (BTSI), both at the JCC on Monday, May 15 from 6–10pm at 1200 Edgewood Avenue.
Callbacks will be May 16 for Austen’s Pride and The Prom.
Student performers can audition to be considered for any or all of the 3 productions. Select tracks in The Prom will be cast with adults (watch for details).
Additional audition details will be posted soon.
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.
Accessibility
Hearing Assistance
- Theater equipped with an FM Hearing Assistance System
- Select dates will be Live Open Captioned. Select seats toward audience right (3rd-5th rows are ideal) for best view.
2022–2023 Season Open Captioned Dates
On the Market: Sunday, October 16, 2pm
Something Musical: Sunday, December 11, 2pm
Hitmakers: Sunday, February 12, 2pm
I’m Not a Comedian…I’m Lenny Bruce: Captioning not available
Ragtime, the Musical: Sunday, May 14, 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)
- 25 seats with moveable/removable arm rests
- 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”
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
John Kraushaar
Dawn Lipson
Sarah Mayer-Fried
Oscia Miles
Lynda Kessler Newman
Rita Rudnick
Susan Sagan-Levitan
Lou Schneider
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
Marc Cataldi, Administrative Assistant, Box Office Manager
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.
2022–23 Season Sponsors:
CenterStage Theatre at the JCC
is a proud member of TheatreRocs