The Jewish Community Center's CenterStage company celebrated a rare feat for a theatrical troupe Wednesday night -- a centennial. Not many arts organizations can boast that kind of longevity. Known over the years as the YMHA Players, The Center Players, and Heritage Theatre, the first JCC play premiered on April 6, 1914. Mingling over an open bar, guests at the anniversary party enjoyed a preview that included performances from the 2014-2015 season and a slideshow covering the history of CenterStage.
Introduced by Artistic Director John R. Leffert, the full casts of Spring Awakening and Chicago performed highlights from their shows. Other cast members sang numbers from Once on This Island, Sweeney Todd, and Fiddler on the Roof.
In honor of its 100-year anniversary, a representative from Mayor Greg Fischer's office presented a mayoral proclamation of "CenterStage Day" and Metro Councilman Tom Owen spoke about its impressive history in the Louisville arts community.
The MainStage season opens with Spring Awakening on Thursday, August 7th and runs through the 17th. A big hit on Broadway, it won eight Tony Awards, including Best Musical. Kander and Ebb's tale of the Jazz Age, Chicago, is next (September 4-20), followed by Stephen Sondheim's Sweeney Todd (October 23 - November 9), The Wizard of Oz (January 8-25), Once on This Island (February 12-22), and Fiddler on the Roof (March 12-19).
You can purchase single tickets ($20) online or by calling the Box Office at 502-238-2709. You can subscribe to the MainStage series ($98) or choose other package options, such as Pick 5 or the Acting Out Children's Theater Season ticket online or by calling 502-459-0660. All tickets are General Admission and handicap accessible seating is available. All performances are held at the Rebecca and Barnet Linker Auditorium at JCC located at 3600 Dutchman's Lane.