Schimmel Center Blog

While the long “dog days” of Summer have mercilessly been pouring heat onto the tri-state area, our team, under the direction of Executive Director Martin I. Kagan, has been diligently working to bring you an exciting roster of world renowned artists in the areas of music, theatre, dance, film, cabaret, lecture and family programming. This season seeks to not only entertain but to inspire, provoke and capture your imagination. It is my pleasure to introduce you to the 2015-16 season.

Singer and comedian, Ana Gasteyer will join us on March 12 for her cabaret act, I’m Hip.

Take a trip around the world with the musical stylings of the acclaimed artists of Iceland’s Bedroom Community record label, and Ukraine’s DakhaBrakha. Time travel with The Intergalactic Nemesis to a time when radio dramas ruled the air waves and stories were told through the inventive use of sound. Join us as classical music is redefined by the quirky and the soulful Sons of Serendip. Engage in meaningful world issues as The Knickerbocker Chamber Orchestra debuts Gary S. Fagin’s piece Supreme Justice: the Battle for Gay Rights, and Gaspard & Dancers perform the NY Premiere of their moving dance trilogy about the aftermath of the devastating 2010 Hattian earthquake. Brush elbows with celebrities when SNL’s Anna Gasteyer brings us her star powered cabaret hit, I’m Hip. You can even become one degree closer to Kevin Bacon and his brother, Michael Bacon, when the Bacon Brothers perform their musical repertoire on the Schimmel Stage. Don’t miss famed drummer, Stewart Copeland (of The Police) as he joins forces with the prolific pianist Jon Kimura Parker when they lead a team of skilled musicians in a new program they call, Off the Score.

We are thrilled to be welcoming back three of our audience’s favorite series. Fred Barton bounces back to our stage with his 13-piece orchestra and cast of Broadway singers and dancers to celebrate the musical legacies of Johnny Mercer and Cole Porter. Ben Model lends his unique accompaniment and historical commentary to an exciting series of silent films which include performances by classic stars such as Harold Lloyd, Clara Bow, Louise Brooks and the little tramp himself, Charlie Chaplin. It is always a pleasure to welcome back Dr. Janetta Rebold Benton to our lecture podium. This year her popular art lecture series will focus on great American Masters such as Winslow Homer, Mary Cassatt, Louis Comfort Tiffany, Alexander Calder, Jackson Pollock, and Andy Warhol.

Choreographer, Mariella Franganillo (Tango Connection, Recuerdo Tango) will bring us a revamped revival of her 2005 off-Broadway hit, Swango, which she co-created with choreographer Robert Royston (Broadway’s Swing!)and Tony Award winning playwright, Rupert Holmes (The Mystery of Edwin Drood.) It is also an honor to welcome back the astonishing and eccentric Flying Karamazov Brothers to the New York Stage.

By participating in our programming here at the Schimmel, you contribute to the rich culture of arts and education that we hold so dear in downtown Manhattan. By purchasing a ticket or becoming a member, you enrich our community and play a vital and integral role in the growth of the Schimmel as a center of the local arts landscape. At Schimmel Center you are more than our patrons, you are our community.

Our complete line-up can be found below in the digital copy of our interactive brochure.

SUBSCRIPTIONS MUST BE PURCHASED IN-PERSON OR VIA PHONE AT 212.346.1715

Beginning July 31st – August 10th – receive an ADDITIONAL 10% off Subscriptions.Subscriptions must be purchased through the box office by calling 212.346.1715 or in-person Monday – Friday from 1-6pm.

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Buy 3 shows and receive 10% off
Buy 5 shows and receive 20% off
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The Flying Karamazov Brothers will return to NYC with their outlandish hijinks!Our complete line-up can be found below in the digital copy of our gorgeous brochure.

We are all excited for the legendary Tony Award winner, Ben Vereen, to grace our stage in his special one-night only concert. We could go on forever about why you should see it. But we thought we would let him tell you in his own words.

Ben Vereen in Concert; Saturday, May 30th at 7:30pm; Schimmel Center at Pace University, 3 Spruce St, New York, NY, 10038; $69 | $59 | $49; (212) 346-1715; https://web.ovationtix.com/trs/pr/938588

This Sunday, May 17th, the VOCE at Pace series will conclude for the 2014-15 season with soprano, Heidi Melton. Called, “the Wagnerian voice we’ve been waiting for since Flagstad and Nilsson,” the young, soprano will show off her incredible musical artistry with a solo recital on the Schimmel stage. I recently had the opportunity to discuss the upcoming recital with Melton herself.

Heidi Melton

This weekend, Gelsey Kirkland Ballet Company will present “Don Quixote,” the ballet based on the famous novel by Miguel de Cervantes. Don Quixote is the visionary knight who, “chases windmills and sees beauty where others only see squalor. On his chivalrous quest for love, he finds the lady of his dreams when he happens upon Kitri, the spirited daughter of the town’s innkeeper. But the peasant girl is at first too busy sparring with Basilio the barber to take any notice of the errant knight’s declarations of courtly love. As romantic misadventures ensue, dusty Spanish streets and festive visions of toreadors and gypsies provide the backdrop for this enchanting farcical balletic romp.”

Ms. Kirkland, herself, performed the role of “Kitri” in a 1978 staging of the famous ballet, originally staged by Marius Petipa. In the following teaser trailer released by the Gelsey Kirkland ballet, watch as footage of Ms. Kirkland is juxtaposed to original footage of Kirkland’s young dance company. The company’s mission is to “foster a rebirth of dramatic storytelling in ballet through programs that provide specialized training for gifted students from around the world.” You cantell from watching the young and energetic dancers that GKA accomplishes just that.

Gelsey Kirkland Ballet presents “Don Quixote”; Thursday and Friday, May 14th and 15th at 7:30pm and Saturday, May 16^th at 2:00pm and 7:30pm;Ticket Prices $59 | $49 | $39; Schimmel Center at Pace University; 3 Spruce St, New York, NY 10038; (212) 346-1715 ; https://web.ovationtix.com/trs/pr/938468

Get ready to be transported to “Far Away Places,” on Saturday May 9th. That legend of the Broadway stage, the one and only, Patti LuPone is bringing back her acclaimed concert to the Schimmel Stage for one night only! Conceived and directed by Scott Wittman (lyricsit of the Tony winning hit Hairspray) and with musical arrangements by Joseph Thalken, “Far Away Places,” takes us along on a musical journey with two-time Tony award winner (Gypsy, Evita) Patti LuPone and a five-piece band. The evening has LuPone singing renditions of songs from an ecclectic list of songwriters ranging from Cole Porter and Stephen Sondheim to Willie Nelson and the Bee Gees! To prepare for the big evening, please find the videos below of some of her best and most electric moments!

“Don’t Cry for Me, Argentina”

Patti LuPone first rose to stardom playing Eva Peron in Andrew Llyod Webber and Tim Rice’s 1978 hit rock opera, “Evita.” Although Elaine Paige had made a splash originating the role on London’s West End a year earlier, it was Patti who originated the role for american audiences in 1979 and who made her way into our hearts with the definitive performance of, “Don’t Cry For Me, Argentina.” Patti won her first Tony Award for playing the ill-fated Argentinian first lady. Here she is in a more recent  PBS- broadcasted, concert performing the quintessential  tune.

“I Dreamed a Dream”

Ms. LuPone ventured cross the pond for her next notable outing. Playing everyone’s favorite put upon French prostitute with a tragic heart of gold, Patti originated, “I Dreamed a Dream” to English speaking audiences with her turn as Fantine in Les Miserables. Here she is stunning the crowd at a Royal Variety performance in 1991.

“Anything Goes”

The 1987 Theatre season saw LuPone make yet another splash when she played everyone’s favorite singer turned evangalizer, Reno Sweeny in the hit revival of Cole Porter’s 1934 musical, Anything Goes. In this show stopping rendition of the show’s title number on the 1987 Tony Awards, our favorite diva shows off both her incredible pipes as well as her dancing chops.

“As Long As He Needs Me”

Patti famously portrayed Nancy in the 1984 revival of Oliver! based on the Dickens’ 1837 novel Oliver Twist. Nancy’s famous ballad has quickly become one of Ms. LuPone’s most requested songs in performance.

“The Worst Pies in London”

Patti LuPone has notably played Mrs. Lovett in Sweeney Todd three times. The first two times came courtesy of concert presentations. The third time, Patti took to the boards of Broadway opposite Michael Cerveris as the murderous barber in an acclaimed revival directed by John Doyle. The following video comes courtesy of a concert version opposite George Hearn in the title role.

“We Are Women”

This is an excuse for me to post a video of two fabulous leading ladies together. Patti joined forces with everyone’s favorite comedic soprano, Kristin Chenoweth in this acclaimed concert staging of Leonard Bernstein’s Candide which was thankfully preserved in a broadcast on PBS.

“Everything’s Coming Up Roses”

Patti tread triumphantly back to the Broadway boards in 2008 as one of musical theatre’s most venerated roles. Scoring a second Tony for her portrayal of Mamma Rose, LuPone cemented her status as musical theatre’s premiere diva with her performances of “Everything’s Coming up Roses” and “Rose’s Turn.” Here she performs the show’s Act 1 closer for the 2008 Tony awards.

“Ladies Who Lunch”

In 2011, Patti took on yet another famous Sondheim tuner when she took on the role of Joanne in a starry concert version of Sondheim’s 1970 smash hit Company with the New York Philharmonic and featuring the likes of Neil Patrick Harris and Stephen Colbert. Joanne may not have much stage time but she sings arguably one of the greatest songs in Sondheim’s entire canon. Below, LuPone previewed her version of the number for a special concert celebrating the composer’s 80th birthday. She did so while sharing the stage with the legendary Elaine Stritch who famously originated the song. No pressure for Patti LuPone.

Be sure to come see the reigning queen of musical comedy live on our stage on Saturday, May 9th. There’s no telling what magic will be made on our stage!

Patti LuPone: Far Away Places; Saturday, May 9th at 7:30pm; $119 | $99 | $89 | $79; Schimmel Center at Pace University, New York, NY, 10038; (212) 346-1715; https://web.ovationtix.com/trs/pr/938453