Cortland Repertory Theatre...In The News !
CORTLAND REPERTORY THEATRE ANNOUNCES SUMMER SEASON PRODUCTIONS FOR 2012
Cortland Repertory Theatre, one of New York State’s longest running professional summer theatres, is announcing their 2012 summer season line-up. “CRT is known for offering a wide variety of shows to appeal to a lot of different tastes,” Producing Artistic Director Kerby Thompson says. “We again have a great mix for this coming year, and I’m so excited about the selections that we’re bringing to our stage.” Five out of the six shows are making their CRT debuts, with the final show having last been produced at CRT in 1989.
Gift Certificate and subscription or flex pass purchasers are reminded that the CRT Box Office is still located at 37 Franklin Street in Cortland. The future “CRT Downtown” location at 24 Port Watson Street is under construction, and will be for some time to come. The CRT website at www.cortlandrep.org has complete information on ticket prices and hours of business. Subscriptions orders and sales for groups of 10 or more are being taken at this time, and order forms for gift certificates and subscriptions are also available online. For more information, call 800-427-6160.
From June 6 – 16, the summer starts with big belly laughs when the theatre presents The Ladies Man, a new farce written by Charles Morey, who “freely translated and adapted” it from the French play Tailleur Pour Dames by Georges Feydeau. This infectiously charming and zany farce takes place in Paris, where middle aged and recently married Dr. Hercule Molineaux tells “one tiny, little, hardly noticeable lie” to his beautiful young wife in order to hide an embarrassing male “incompetence”. The craziness begins when his ogre of a mother-in-law gets involved, not to mention an outrageously aggressive female patient, her overly jealous Prussian husband, a confused patient with an unfortunate speech impediment and two overly nosey servants, all running in and out of more slamming doors than realistic architecture should ever accommodate.
Next up is the CRT debut of one of the world’s most popular musicals – Grease!, the classic 1950s rock ‘n roll musical with book, music and lyrics by Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey. This production will have three weeks of performances from June 20 – July 7. In this high energy show, we meet Rydell High School's Class of 1959: the hot-rodding Burger Palace Boys and their gum-snapping Pink Ladies in bobby sox and pedal pushers. Head greaser Danny Zuko and new good girl Sandy Dumbrowski try to relive the high romance of their Summer Nights as the rest of the gang sing and dance their way through the hit songs Greased Lightnin', You’re the One That I Want, It’s Raining on Prom Night, The Hand Jive, and many more!
The third show will also be another blockbuster musical, running for three weeks from July 11 – 28. However due to royalty restrictions, CRT can’t announce what this show will be until early in 2012. Thompson says “While we can’t announce the show title, we can hint that it was a Broadway record-breaker and an international sensation. It’s the perfect family musical follow-up to last summer’s hit ‘Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat’ by Andrew Lloyd Weber.” The musical is also the winner of numerous Tony Awards, including Best Musical. Thompson says that details will be listed on CRT’s website as soon as possible.
Next up, CRT audience’s favorite playwright returns for another premiere mystery with the presentation of Agatha Christie’s thriller The Hollow from August 1 – 11. A romantic game of “Follow-The-Leader” explodes into murder during a party weekend at The Hollow, a quiet English mansion. A philandering doctor gets himself in hot water when his wife, mistress and former mistress all visit at the same time. Tempers flare until one hapless soul is used for target practice. Motives abound and it’s up to the local police sergeant – and the audience - to figure out “Who-Dun-It”.
Next from August 15 – 25 is the multiple award winning comedy/drama The Drawer Boy by Canadian playwright Michael Healey. Set in 1972, this surprisingly funny, tender but tough play tells the story of two aging Canadian dairy farmers, both WWII veterans, who have their quiet lives disturbed when a young actor appears on their farm, asking to study the rituals and chores of the world of farming. Unwittingly, the young man reveals the truth behind one of the farmer’s memory loss and learns how storytelling can interpret reality and transform lives. Since its premiere, this play has won countless awards, including Canada's Governor General's Literary Award and The Helen Hayes Award. It also made Time Magazine's top ten list as "a new classic" and in 2004 became the most produced play in American regional theatres.
Closing the season from August 29 – September 8 will be the return of one CRT’s most successful productions The Mystery of Irma Vep which is a comedy, farce, thriller and mystery all rolled into one, written by Charles Ludlam. Called “a wild funhouse adventure”, the play features comic performances by two actors playing multiple characters, lightning-fast quick changes and hair-raising suspense. Seductive vampires, mysterious ghosts, a sympathetic werewolf and somebody’s mummy all wreck havoc in this raucous parody of Victorian morals and Hollywood horror. From England’s mysterious moors to the depths of an Egyptian tomb, this two-man “tour de farce” takes on everyone from Emily Brontë to Mel Brooks!
Also, the “CRT KIDS” program will present a stage production of Aladdin as a participation play, created by Moses Goldberg. A traveling group of actors (in reality, CRT’s Performing Intern Company) stumble upon the stage at the Little York Pavilion and decide to perform the magical Arabian Nights story of Aladdin the peasant boy. With the help of children and adults alike, the story of the kind-hearted little thief comes to life before your very eyes! Children help Aladdin discover the Genie of the Lamp and Ring, win the heart of the Princess, and defeat the evil Sultan. The play promises lots of laughs, stage participation and a valuable lesson about friendship. Performances are planned for July 12, 14, 20 and 21st at 10:00 AM.
Gift Certificates are available for single tickets, subscriptions, flex passes or a monetary value, and are available now. Individual tickets for all of CRT’s summer shows will go on sale starting May 21, 2012.
CRT CLOSES 40th ANNIVERSARY SEASON WITH THE HEART WARMING COMEDY "SOUVENIR"
"The most important music is in your head" was the philosophy of Florence Foster Jenkins, an infamous eccentric singer whose unique climb to fame in the 1930's is depicted in the comedy "Souvenir: A Fantasia on the Life of Florence Foster Jenkins", Cortland Repertory Theatre's final summer production. Written by Stephen Temperley, this hilarious and touching play is billed as a "fictional biography" as it imagines the story of the real-life Jenkins, a New York socialite and "tone-deaf diva" who fancied herself a great operatic soprano. Told through the eyes of her wry accompanist, "Souvenir" chronicles Jenkins' unlikely rise to cult status, culminating in an unbelievable sold-out Carnegie Hall performance.
Performances of CRT's "Souvenir
" will run from August 31 - September 10 with evening performances at 7:30. Matinees are available on September 2, 4, and 7 at 2:00 PM. Tickets may be purchased by calling 800-427-6160 or in person at the CRT Box Office at 37 Franklin Street in Cortland. The show is acceptable for all audiences, except perhaps those with perfect pitch.
The story: In the 1930's and ‘40s, the name Florence Foster Jenkins was guaranteed to produce explosions of laughter from any music lover hearing it. Jenkins was infamously well known because she suffered under the delusion that she was a great coloratura soprano, when in reality she was incapable of producing two consecutive notes in tune. Nevertheless, her annual recitals in the ballroom of the Ritz Carlton hotel, where she lived, brought her incredible fame. Not unlike bad singers on today's "American Idol", as word of her terrible singing spread, so did her celebrity. Her fans packed her recitals, stuffing handkerchiefs in their mouths to stifle their laughter which Mrs. Jenkins blissfully mistook for cheers. With each new imagined triumph, Florence's confidence soared. The climax of her career was a single concert at Carnegie Hall in 1944. Famously, it sold out in two hours. However, eyewitness accounts of her concerts vary so wildly that it is almost impossible now to separate fact from gossip; thus the play is subtitled a fictional "biography" and a "fantasia" as it traces her career from her first public performance to the aftermath of the Carnegie Hall concert.
Both hilarious and poignant, "Souvenir" is told through the eyes of Jenkin's accompanist, Cosme McMoon. A talented pianist, he first thought of Jenkins as little more than an easy way to pay the rent, but as he got to know her, his initial contempt gave way to friendship and eventually great affection. Faced with Jenkin's boundless certainty, McMoon revised his attitude, not only towards her singing but to the very meaning of music itself.
Called "a beguiling comic jewel with a heart" by Variety, this show depicts a musical odd-couple for the ages. Producing Artistic Director Kerby Thompson compares this show to last season's hit "Six Dance Lessons in Six Weeks". "There are definite similarities between the two shows, mostly in the fact that both plays about two people from very different worlds coming together - first at odds but then learning to respect and care for each other deeply," Thompson says. "Of course the differences are that "Sou
venir" is based on real people, and uses music as the vehicle of their relationship rather than dance. But I think anyone who enjoyed "Six Dance..." last year will certainly love this show."
"Madam Flo" is portrayed by Equity Guest Artist April Woodall in her CRT debut. Longtime CRT directing veteran Bill Kincaid wears multiple hats for this production; he makes his CRT acting debut by playing pianist McMoon, and also directs, music directs, and plays piano for the production. Kincaid's previous directing credits includes "Six Dance Lessons...", as well as "Gross Indecency", "A Few Good Men", "Almost, Maine, "How the Other Half Loves" and many more. Kris Valentine serves as Stage Manager, leading a production team comprised of Scenic Designer Jason Bolen, Lighting Designer Eric Behnke, Costume Designer Jimmy Johansmeyer, Sound Designer David Huber and Props Mistress Danielle Hodgins. Tracy Hoida continues as Assistant Stage Manager as does Technical Director Patrick McGovern.
CRT continues the tradition of "Friday Night Talk Backs" at which a Q & A session with the actors, designers and crew take place after every Friday evening performance. CRT is currently taking orders for Early Bird Subscriptions, Flex Passes and renewals for the 2012 season. Order forms can be picked up at the CRT office, at the theatre or online. For more information, call 800-427-6160.
CRT PRESENTS THE CHILLY DARK COMEDY “THE SMELL OF THE KILL”
Golf balls fly, plates smash and “game hunting” takes on new meaning in Cortland Repertory Theatre’s next production, the hysterical comedy “The Smell of the Kill”. Written by Michele Lowe, this contemporary play makes its CRT debut as the fifth show of the theatre’s 40th Anniversary season, and stars three talented actresses familiar to the CRT audience.
Performances of CRT’s “The Smell of the Kill” (which is a one act play) will run from August 17 - 27 with evening performances at
7:30. Matinees are available on August 19, 21 and 24 at 2:00 PM. Tickets may be purchased by calling 800-427-6160 or in person at the CRT Box Office at 37 Franklin Street in Cortland. Tickets are also available for sale 24 hours a day through the CRT website at www.cortlandrep.org. The show is recommended for mature audiences, and due to its popularity, some performances are already close to being sold out.
In a wealthy, suburbanite kitchen, Nicky, Debra and Molly are three “desperate housewives” who don’t much care for each other, but have tolerated once-a-month group dinners with their “weekend warrior” husbands for years. As the women clean the kitchen after dinner, the unseen, but still very verbal men practice their golf game in the dining room and brag about their latest kill in a deer hunting weekend. Unexpectedly, the gossiping women reveal to each other that all of their marriages are on the brink of disaster. When a shocking freak accident occurs involving the men and a walk-in basement meat locker, the women are faced with a life-changing decision. While the clock ticks precious seconds away, the laughs roll out as the women argue, spill secrets and dodge golf balls in this uniquely hilarious comedy.
Tony Capone directs, whose previous CRT credits include last summer’s hit
“Agatha Christie’s Spider’s Web”, as well as “I Hate Hamlet”, “Leading Ladies” and “Ten Little Indians”. Stage Manager Eric Behnke also serves as Lighting Designer, and leads the production staff which includes Scenic Designer Jonathan Wentz in his CRT debut, Costume Designer Jimmy Johansmeyer, Sound Designer David Huber and Props Mistress Danielle Hodgins. Tracy Hoida continues as Assistant Stage Manager as does Technical Director Patrick McGovern.
All three actresses have wowed audiences in previous CRT productions. Charlotte Fox returns to play the baby-loving Molly after playing killer-diller Roxie Hart earlier this summer in “Chicago”. Erica Livingston plays Debra, having been seen earlier this summer as Cookie Cusack in “Rumors”, and in previous seasons of “Unnecessary Farce”, “Damn Yankees”, and “The Great American Trailer Park Musical”. Playing Nicky is Morgan Reis, who was also seen in “Unnecessary Farce” as well as “Leading Ladies” in 2008, for which she received a Syracuse Area Live Theatre nomination. Homer resident Kim Hubbard, Sound Designer David Huber and Syracuse resident Mark Re play the golf obsessed and part-time hunters Jay, Danny and Marty.
CRT continues the tradition of “Friday Night Talk Backs” at which a Q & A session with the actors, designers and crew take place after every Friday evening performance. Tickets are also on sale for the final show in CRT’s summer season, “
Souvenir: A Fantasia on the Life of Florence Foster Jenkins”. See CRT’s website for more details at www.cortlandrep.org
CRT PRESENTS AGATHA CHRISTIE'S "A MURDER IS ANNOUNCED"
A juicy murder mystery is served up for Cortland Repertory Theatre’s fourth show in their 40th Anniversary season with Agatha Christie’s “A Murder is Announced”. Adapted for the stage by Leslie Darbon, this classic mystery is based on Christie’s novel of the same title, and is filled with humor, clever subplots and enough twists and turns to keep the most avid mystery fans on the edge of their seats.
Performances of CRT’s “A Murder is Announced” will run from August 3 - 13 with evening performances at 7:30. Matinees are available on August 5, 10 and 12 at 2:00 PM. Tickets may be purchased by calling 800-427-6160 or in person at the CRT Box Office at 37 Franklin Street in Cortland. Tickets are also available for sale 24 hours a day through the CRT website at www.cortlandrep.org. The show is suitable for the whole family, though it may not hold the attention of younger children.
In the fall of 1950, the residents of Miss Blacklock’s boarding house are surprised to read in the local newspaper that a murder will take place that evening, in their very home. Assumed to be a joke, a night of fun and games turns grizzly when a murder does indeed take place, and the police begin their investigation. But it’s up to Christie’s busybody sleuth Miss Marple to play by her own rules to solve the whodunit. Secrets are discovered and greed runs rampant as the little old lady detective uses her cunning wile to dig deeper into the mystery. As the riddle gets closer to being solved, the murderer gets desperate and the survivors are in mortal danger. Funny and chilling, this classic Christie story proves to be one of the most exciting stage adaptations of Christie’s novels.
CRT’s Assistant Producer Jim Bumgardner directs the show, whose previous CRT credits include “Brigadoon”, “The Mousetrap” and “Fiddler on the Roof”, amongst many others. Frequent CRT actor Dustin Charles serves as Assistant Director and Dialect Coach. Stage Manager Kris Valentine leads the production staff, which includes returnees from CRT’s “Joseph…” including Costume Designer Jimmy Johansmeyer, Lighting Designer Shawn Boyle, and Props Mistress Danielle Hodgin. Making his CRT debut is Jared Rutherford as Scenic Designer. Patrick McGovern continues as Technical Director as does Tracy Hoida as Assistant Stage Manager.
Miss Letitia Blacklock is played by Mary Williams, who was seen in last summer’s hit “Six Dance Lessons in Six Weeks”, for which she received a SALT Award nomination, and “I Hate Hamlet” the previous summer. Making her CRT debut is Carol Burns as Miss Jane Marple, with Kyle Kennedy, seen in “Gross Indecency” and “A Few Good Men” portraying Police Inspector Craddock. As the slightly confused Dora Bunner, Rebecca McGraw returns after being seen in “See How They Run” and “Damn Yankees”. Nosey next-door neighbor Mrs. Swettenham is local actress Nancy Kane, seen in last summer’s Christie offering “Spider’s Web”. Fresh from performances in both “Chicago” and “Joseph…” are the remaining cast members: Shawn Smith and Jennifer Holcombe as bickering brother and sister Patrick and Julia Simmons; Sarah VanFossen as the mysterious Phillipa Haymes, a woman with a secret past; Renee Reinecke is the conniving, untrustworthy maid Mitzi; Joseph DePietro as young frustrated writer Edmund Swettenham and Evan Montgomery as Sergeant Mellors. Playing the pivotal role of Rudy Scherz is David Huber who also serves as CRT’s Season Sound Designer.
CRT continues the tradition of “Friday Night Talk Backs” at which a Q & A session with the actors, designers and crew take place after every Friday evening performance. Tickets are also on sale for the rest of CRT’s summer season, including the upcoming “
The Smell of the Kill”, and “
Souvenir: A Fantasia on the Life of Florence Foster Jenkins”.
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CRT PLANS FOR THE FUTURE WITH EXPANSION
TO DOWNTOWN CORTLAND
(From The Cortland Standard's "2010 Outlook" Publication)
"I felt like Goldilocks." Cortland Repertory Theatre's Producing Artistic Director Kerby Thompson says, regarding the search for an additional CRT facility. "Some of the buildings we looked at were too big, some were too small, some weren't in a good location, some had no parking. Where we ended up, however, is pretty close to being 'just right'." For the past five years, CRT had been on the hunt for a building, not to replace their summer home at the Little York Pavilion, but to compliment it. "CRT is very lucky to have a Board of Directors and Theatre Guild made up of forward thinkers who not only plan for five years from now, but for ten and twenty years down the road. To make sure CRT has the staying power for years to come, we knew it was time to expand our horizons."
As previously reported, CRT has purchased the former Recreation Bowling Alleys at 24 Port Watson Street in downtown Cortland . In the coming year, the theatre will renovate the building to hold their Administrative and Box Offices, construction shops and storage of theatrical sets, props and costumes, and a theatre space for plays and musicals. CRT plans to sell their current office and warehouse at 37 Franklin Street in Cortland .
With this new "CRT Downtown" location, the theatre has potential to assist in the staying power of local restaurants and businesses in easy walking distance. In addition to an audience of SUNY Cortland professors, students, neighborhood seniors and other Cortland residents, CRT's bus tour business will continue outside the summer. "Currently, our summers host up to 20 busses from around the region, with visitors looking for places to eat and shop." he says. Additionally, the building will be designed as a multiuse facility. Arts and craft fairs, Under-21 dances, corporate meetings and a New Year's Eve Ball are all possibilities. "With this building, our only limit is our imagination." Thompson says.
In recent years, the theatre has enjoyed record high attendance, but expenses grew at an equal pace. Last summer, the theatre was hit by the economic downturn. "Individual attendance was significantly down, though our subscriber base stayed steady." Thompson 
says. "We always have our audiences' best interests at heart, so rather than raising ticket prices to pay the bills, we looked outside the summer. We needed to spread our wings in a new facility that could accommodate a winter theatre." Thompson points out that CRT has the most affordable ticket price of professional theatres in the area, a significant factor in their mission statement. "Our mission is to provide excellent quality theatre at an affordable price. To stay affordable, we needed a plan other than just raising prices." Thompson says. "It was time for a leap of faith."
Initially, this expansion will tax CRT's minimal coffers even more, but Thompson and the Board's administrators are confident that they will be supported. "This step shouldn't be misconstrued as an indication that CRT is rolling in the dough." Thompson says. "We bought this building with a considerable loan. We'll have significant construction and renovation costs to get up to code compliance and become operational, not the least of which are a complete overhaul of the electrical wiring, rebuilding walls, patching the roof and adding heating. A capital campaign is definitely in the works. If anything, we need out supporters' help now more than ever!"
Thompson adds that the theatre will not ignore their summer home, the Little York Pavilion. "Talk about 'Staying Power'! Think of how different the world was when the Pavilion was built in 1906. CRT is so lucky to have it as our summer home and Cortland residents should be proud to have such a beautiful and unique building in our community. We look forward to continuing our partnership with the County, who owns the Pavilion, in keeping it safe and looking good." he says. "Besides the sprinkler system and elevator that CRT took the lead on installing a few years ago, last year we began rebuilding the first floor porch railing to go along with the County's significant work in rebuilding the second floor porch. As one of Cortland 's main summer attractions, we'll continue working with the County to reach our goal of restoring the Pavilion back to looking as beautiful as it did when it was built."
In hearing of CRT's expansion, most residents have been supportive. "There are some naysayers, of course, who have said they'll stop donating because it appears we have money to burn, which couldn't be further from the truth! However, a majority understand what we're trying to do. We're planning not only for the future of CRT but doing our part for the future of downtown and Cortland County . We can easily partner with the 1890 House Museum , the Cortland Arts Trail and Cultural Council, even Greek Peak and their new water park and the Lime Hollow Nature Center . Having a year-round professional theatre is a tremendous selling point for the BDC/IDA and the Chamber of Commerce in attracting businesses to Cortland . Arts and culture add to the quality of life of a community, and a significant trait that businesses look for if they're considering moving here. Add our plans to the performances offered at the Homer Center for the Arts, the Country Music Park and in the Downtown Music Series, and it's easy to see that Cortland is a thriving, simulating place to live, work and play."
As Board, Guild and community members put in hours of volunteer work on the downtown location, CRT continues planning for the upcoming 39 th summer season. "In addition to everything else that's happening, we still have an exciting summer ahead of us." Thompson points out that all 2010 shows are making their CRT debut. Opening the season is Agatha Christie's murder mystery "Spider's Web" followed by the British farce "See How They Run". July and August will see two musicals: the fun and steamy "The Pajama Game" followed by "Brigadoon", a magical love story set in the hills of Scotland . Next up is the Central New York premiere of the comedy "Six Dance Lessons in Six Weeks" in which a feisty older woman gets more than she bargains for by hiring a flamboyant dance instructor to teach her social dancing. The season concludes with the New York State premiere of "The Andrews Brothers" which see three male stagehands taking the place of the missing Andrews Sisters in a hilarious USO Show.
In the "CRT Kids" programs, the young and young at heart can enjoy performances of "The Jungle Book". Also CRT hosts two summer youth theatrical workshop programs: "Showstoppers and Superstars" for grades K–5, which is offered twice, from July 12 - 17 and July 19 - 24 at the Homer Center for the Arts. "Stars of Tomorrow" drama camp is for grades 5 –12, and is offered for four weeks from June 28 - July 24 at the Little York Pavilion. Registration forms are available on CRT's website.
Supporters can stay updated on the CRT Downtown renovation progress at www.cortlandrep.org, and linking to CRT's Facebook page or Twitter account, and by visiting CRT's Flickr.com photo album. Summer subscriptions, flex passes and reservations for groups of 10 or more may be purchased now by calling 800-427-6160. Staring May 10, individual tickets will go on sale at the Box Office, by phone or on the website.
"It's an exciting time for CRT!" Thompson says. "Everyone involved feels a great responsibility to the staying power this theatre has, and I encourage everyone to get involved, lend us your support and help us make some life-long memories!"
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CRT PURCHASES BUILDING FOR "CRT DOWNTOWN" FACILITY
Cortland Repertory Theatre has announced the purchase of the former Recreation Bowling Alleys, located at 24 Port Watson Street in downtown Cortland . CRT has a three-phase plan for the 13,000 square foot building: to relocate the Box Office and Administration Offices from the current Cortland location at 37 Franklin Street ; then to move the scenic, costume and props shops and storage; and third, to create a performance space for fall, winter and spring productions. The theatre plans to begin a capital campaign and will sell the Franklin Street warehouse.
"The most important point to make is that CRT is not leaving the Little York Pavilion for our summer productions!" Producing Artistic Director Kerby Thompson says. "Over the years, CRT and Cortland County have invested a great deal of time and money to create a comfortable summer home for us all. As long as the County will have us, we plan to stay there for the summers. It's a beautiful location, and frankly, we'd be crazy to want to leave."
However, the plan for CRT to expand beyond a summer season has been in the works for a few years. "We've looked at different locations for about five years, in hopes of finding an affordable building that would serve our purposes." Thompson says. "The fact of the matter is, we can't keep raising ticket prices in order to meet our financial needs. Part of our mission statement is to offer our shows at an accessible price, and we're proud that we're still the most affordable professional summer theatre in the area. However, even though our attendance in recent years is the highest it's ever been, expenses obviously continue to grow. Due to the size of the Pavilion, we can't add more seats, and lengthening our season would be questionable because of the cool fall weather in an unheated theatre with no insulation."
Also, Thompson says, CRT has outgrown their warehouse space. "The Franklin Street building is solid and secure, but we simply don't have the room to work there anymore. We save and recycle a lot of wood, set pieces, props and costumes, so our current storage space is overflowing. Also, most of our set building is done on our lawn, which is challenging in the changeable Central New York summer weather. After much searching, we believe that this downtown building is able to accommodate everything we want and need - more room, more visibility, and more productions."
A theatre at the Port Watson location - tentatively called "CRT Downtown" - would seat 125 - 150 people. The performance space is planned to be one large open room called a black box theatre, which would allow for a great deal of creative staging and audience seating. Scenic designs could be created for shows "in the round", ¾ round or proscenium style. Audience seating may include small cabaret style tables, which will allow for snacks and drinks to be served at the seats. The building will also include a lobby, refreshment counter, dressing rooms, and upgraded, handicapped accessible rest rooms. The theatre will double as CRT's summer rehearsal space and could also serve as a meeting hall for conferences, receptions, parties, art and craft shows, and more. "The only limitation is our own imagination!" Thompson says.
Thompson cautions that significant renovations are necessary, including ripping down walls and ceilings, installing new electrical wiring, upgrades to heating and air conditioning, and expansion of plumbing. No definite date has been set for when CRT would move in, though a goal of Fall 2010 has been tentatively set for the office and shop relocation. "Actual performances may be at couple of years away." Thompson says. "Honestly, it all comes down to the speed and amount of financial and volunteer support we receive. Obviously, the quicker we raise the funds and complete the renovations, the faster we can get the building ready for a winter season. We're extremely excited about what this could mean to CRT and downtown Cortland . We're glad that we can be part of it!"
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