A modern tale loosely based on the Book of Job. God and Satan make a bet and God puts his trust in Joe, a wealthy businessman living with his family in suburban Long Island, to keep his faith. God’s messenger, sent to test Joe’s faith, is a wise cracking guy from Queens. Simon poses questions about life, but never loses his sense of humor!

Tickets: $8 adults, $5 seniors and high students with valid ID.

No children under the age of 5 permitted. Appropriate for 16+

GENERAL INFORMATION
Genesee Center for the Arts Box Office
Stuart Steiner Theatre at Genesee Community College
One College Road
Batavia, New York 14020
Phone: (585) 345-6814
Email: boxoffice@genesee.edu
Ticket Information Website: www.genesee.edu/campuslife/arts/tickets.cfm

The Genesee Center for the Arts Box Office accepts cash, checks and now accepts credit card payments on pre-reservations tickets!

Ask about our $2 discount for GCC alumni with the alumni ID.

Jon used to think of himself as a promising composer, but...

"Instead, I've been promising for so long I'm afraid I'm about to break my promise."

That's the paraphrased line of the main character in "Tick, Tick...Boom," a semi-autographical musical by Jonathan Larson, the writer of "Rent." It will be performed this weekend at Harvester 56 Theater in Batavia.

Directors Shellene Bailey and Thorin Vallentin are members of the newly formed local theater group, JNS Productions -- named after the founders: Joel, Shellene, and Nick. They look forward to bringing this lesser known work of Larson's to the local stage.

"The music is very similar (to the music in "Rent")," Vallentin said. "It has some of the same styles, with roots in rock music but including various other styles as well."

"Rent" fans may be interested to know that Larson worked on this play first. When listening to the music, according to Vallentin, they might notice the seeds of a style that will further develop in the tunes of "Rent."

While it is similar to "Rent" stylistically, it has what Vallentin calls a "lighter feel."

"It's not as heavy," he said. "It does deal with emotional issues, but it's not as in-your-face."

The show also doesn't have as much R-rated material as "Rent," although there is some bad language (including the f-word) and a somewhat provocative dance number.

Pictured are Amanda Taylor and Drew Williams, the actors in the roles of Susan (Jon's girlfriend) and Jon, an aspiring Broadway playwright

A little information on the story: Jon is approaching his 30th birthday, and he is having what Williams calls a "pre-midlife crisis."

"His career isn't where he thought it would be by the time he turned 30," Bailey said.

At this pivotal point in his life, Jon has to decide whether he wants to continue to pursue a career in musical theater, which is his true passion, or choose a safer and more realistic path in life, as Susan and Michael, Jon's friend since childhood and an executive in corporate America, advise.

"He doesn't want to give up his dream," Bailey said.

Williams said he sees a couple of similarities between himself and the character he's portraying.

Like Jon, Williams is also about to turn 30.

"Also, he has a real passion for music," he said, "like I do. So I can kind of relate."

"Tick, Tick...Boom!" will have four performances: this Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m., and then a matinée at 2 p.m. on Saturday.

General admission tickets are $10 and can be purchased online at www.showtix4u.com (through the Batavia Players, Inc). People can also buy tickets at the door.

At this point, there are still tickets available for all four shows. The Harvester 56 theater seats about 110 people.

For more information, e-mail Nick Russo at nickrusso224@gmail.com

“In the Blood” by Suzan-Lori Parks performed by the Forum Players at the Stuart Steiner Theatre Thursday – Saturday, Feb 3, 4 and 5, 2011 7:30pm

“In the Blood” is a modern interpretation of Nathaniel Hawthorne's classic novel, The Scarlet Letter. The play follows the daily trials of Hester, an illiterate, single, homeless, African American woman who must find a way to rise above and care for her five children.

Tickets: $8 Adults, $5 Seniors (55+), Students, and GCC Faculty/Staff, $3 GCC students with GCC ID and a $2 discount for GCC Alum with GCC Alum Id!

For ticket information/reservations contact the BOXOFFICE@genesee.edu or 585-345-6814

Children’s Theatre “Nobody Likes Mordacious” (And That's How He Likes It) by Jack Stokes, is presented by the Forum Players and local grammar school students, March 25, 2011 at 7:30pm.

“Nobody Likes Mordacious” (And That’s the Way He Likes It), a stage fantasy by veteran children’s theatre playwright Jack Stokes, presents the audience with a girl who needs to rescue her parents from the stratagems of a very wicked fellow. On an epic  quest laced with humor, she encounters genies, shadows, monsters, pirates and enlists the aid of a witch-fighting guide in order to restore her family. Not everyone can be redeemed; sometimes evil is just plain evil; an always, bullies of any stripe must be confronted. These are just a few of the things Orafu learns on her quest.

This show is appropriate for any audience, particularly elementary and junior-high students.

Special Ticket Promotion: Buy one adult or senior ticket and get a children ticket free, just say BOGO when you purchase your tickets at the box office or check in to Genesee Community College on Foursquare or Facebook using your mobile device to receive a free children's ticket with the purchase of an adult or senior ticket! Just show your check-in from your mobile device at the box office when purchasing your tickets

Tickets: $8 Adults, $5 Seniors (55+), Students, and GCC Faculty/Staff, $3 GCC students with GCC ID and a $2 discount for GCC Alum with GCC Alum Id!

For ticket infromation/reservations contact the BOXOFFICE@genesee.edu or 585-345-6814

Normal Box Office Hours: Wed-Fri 9am-3:30pm and one hour prior to the performance.

His role: Thenardier

"Les Miserables has been an phenomenal experience and I can confidently say that others share the same sentiments. I have met some many wonderful new people and I am enthralled to have shared this experience with everyone.

Les Miserables is a very profound and heart wrenching show, but despite all of the strife, there are glimpses of comedy which my character and his "charming" wife provide. Every cast member has something to bring to the stage, allowing our production to really shine."
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Alex Black| Age 18 | Nursing major at SUNY Brockport

His role: Javert 

"Rehearsals are fun because we MAKE them fun. Lynda (Hodgins) is a great director and likes to get things done and get down to business, but us kids like to loosen her up. The good thing about the cast is we usually know when to get serious and when to mess around. Either way, rehearsals always turn into a fun time with friends. 

People should come to this show because even though it is set in a time much earlier than 2010 it is still very relatable to most audiences. What I personally love about this show is how emotionally attached everyone gets to the characters. 

You can't help but feel bad, sorry, a whole spectrum of emotions for each individual character. It makes for quite the heart wrenching performance but thats what people look for in a show. Even a cold hearted audience member could shed a tear watching Les Mis."
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Sydney Alexis | Age 17 | Senior at Notre Dame High School, Batavia

Her role: Factory girl/ensemble

"Rehearsals are great. After a long, irritating day at school they're just what I need. I get to actually be somewhere with people who share the same interests as me and who don't judge. My favourite part of the whole thing has got to be the process of thinking up and the making of a big secret surprise that won't be revealed until Halloween night! I can't say much more... Stay tuned!

Les Miserables is, without a doubt, power in musical form. The show is filled with tough, painful lessons on love, revenge, failure and hope. There is a lot to get from the story and everyone will leave with a piece of it- from a song in their heart to a tear on their cheek. You're going to learn something from this show. And I guarantee you're going to love it."
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Jake Bortle | Age 17 | Senior at Leroy Jr./Sr. High School 

His role: Jean Valjean

"Above all, rehearsals have been extremely rewarding. Watching the show come together even in the past few days really puts my dreams into reality. I have always wanted to play this role and having it finally come true, and with such a talented cast, really makes everything worth while. 

My favorite experience in the show would have to be my favorite song, 'The Confrontation.' I love singing this song with Alex (Black, who plays Javert). Being onstage with sets, costumes, hair, and make-up, this scene really intensifies. Every single time we sing it, it gets more and more intense. 

But to keep this short, people should come see the show because it's awesome. But really, the talent in this cast is something you would not expect from people our age. Every single person is putting all they can into the show, and it really shows. The quality of this show really is fantastic and will blow anyone out of their chairs."

For more info, including ticket prices and show dates, on Les Miserables School Edition, click here or become a fan Encore! Theatre Arts on Facebook by clicking here.

Weekend of November 19, 20 & 21

The primary voice of community and educational theatre in the Empire State, TANYS returns to Genesee Community College, in the Stuart Steiner Theatre, for their annual theatre festival of workshops, demonstrations and performances.

Visit www.TANYS.org for schedule, reservations and tickets.

Contact the GCC Box Office at 585-345-6814 during the weekend of the event only!