Magazines serving the communities of Northern Westchester
May 19 (6-10 pm), 20 (1-10 pm), 21 (1-6 pm): Come one, come all to enjoy a second Annual Spring Festival at The Church of St. John and St. Mary, 30 Poillon Drive, Chappaqua.
Arthur Avenue fare with dessert cafe, “overflowing” beer and wine garden, riveting entertainment in the way of carnival games, WHUD 100.7FM, and more!
The Jacob Burns Film Center (JBFC) will screen the documentary Real Boy on Thursday, June 1 at 7 p.m. followed by a Q&A and community reception. The discussion will feature Jamie Bruesehoff whose first-born child transitioned at age 8 and became a national symbol of the transgender community, and Shepard Verbas a prominent spokesperson for trans rights. A reception will follow. The screening is part of the ongoing film series Community Matters: Local Issues, Discussion, Action, sponsored by Westchester Community Foundation, and presented with generous support from National Endowment for the Arts.
Real Boy is the intimate story of 19-year-old Bennett Wallace who is navigating early sobriety, late adolescence, and the evolution of his gender identity. At the same time, his mother is making her own transformation from resistance to acceptance of her trans son. Both find support in their communities, reminding us that families are not only given, but chosen.
Tickets can be purchased online or at the JBFC box office, which opens at noon on weekdays and 11:00 am on weekends.
About the Speakers
Jamie Bruesehoff is a writer, advocate, speaker, mom, and a pastor’s wife. Her first-born child transitioned at age 8 and became a national symbol for the transgender community.
Shepard Verbas is program manager at The LOFT Community Center in White Plains and was profiled in National Geographic’s January 2017 Gender issue. They earned a BS in Early Childhood/Special Education at Marywood University in Scranton, Pennsylvania. Shepard also works with LGBTQ youth as Program Specialist with the Center Lane and has many years of experience working with youth and adults in educational and therapeutic settings. In addition, they co-chaired GLSEN Hudson Valley’s LGBT youth outreach initiative, Shared Stories Open Minds, and was an active member of the chapter’s board.
Jacob Burns Film Center, 364 Manville Road, Pleasantville, NY 10570
Exit 30 Saw Mill River Parkway N/ Exit 29 Saw Mill River Parkway S or the Pleasantville stop on Metro-North Harlem Line
TICKETS
Tickets: $10 (members), $15 (nonmembers)
Tickets are available online at burnsfilmcenter.org or at the Box Office
Box office opens at noon on weekdays and 11:00 am on weekends
For information and group sales, call 914.773.7663, ext. 6
About Westchester Community Foundation
The Westchester Community Foundation connects generous people to the causes they care about and invests in transformative ideas and organizations to improve lives and strengthen our community. For 40 years, the Foundation has worked to improve the quality of life in Westchester by addressing community issues, promoting responsible philanthropy, and connecting donors to critical, local needs, visit: www.wcf-ny.org.
About Jacob Burns Film Center
Jacob Burns Film Center (JBFC) is a nonprofit arts and education hub located on a three-building campus in the New York Metro area. The JBFC brings the transformative power of film to the surrounding community through unique programming and discussion, shared experiences, and educational initiatives. Since opening in 2001, over 3,000,000 people have enjoyed the best of current American and foreign cinema, unique film series, and special events at the five screen theater complex. A pioneer in visual literacy education, the Jacob Burns Film Center offers courses in filmmaking, screenwriting, and animation for students of all ages at our state-of-the-art Media Arts Lab and develops curriculums for public schools throughout the region.
By Matt Smith
“The time is upon us sooner than I expected. The theatre of deathly intent begins, and we have front row seats!” So exclaims Sherlock Holmes at the climax of The Hound of the Baskervilles, the most recent production of Hudson Stage Company www.hudsonstage.com, having ultimately solved his case. And of course, he’s here referencing the insanity about to ensue, as he and his bumbling sidekick Dr. Watson attempt to expose their perpetrator for who he or she really is. But there’s no question he could easily be speaking of the very show in which he appears. Indeed, this laugh-a-minute comedic masterpiece, based on the novel by Arthur Conan Doyle, now playing at the Whippoorwill Hall Theater through May 13, is, simply put, a delightful romp.
The plot follows the renowned detective and his ragtag group of friends and colleagues through their journey to unveil the killer of Sir Charles Baskerville, and determine the true identity of the hound who lay beside him. Mistaken identities, rapid-fire quick changes, farcical asides, and an array of expertly executed accents are all part of the fun, as Holmes uncovers new surprises — to both the audience and to himself — at every corner.
But while the story is indeed entertaining, the real enjoyment is in watching the talented cast of three winning men display their impeccable comedic skill. Matt Ban effortlessly exhibits his mastery of physical comedy, indulging in the play’s (intentionally) overacted and exaggerated instances, rolling around the floor in one minute and bounding about the stage in the next. (Of note, he does a particularly clever bit with a bush, eliciting a ROFL response from Denis Lambert’s Holmes).
Joe Delafield, meanwhile, has a firm grasp on the zany one-liners and multiple costume changes, and Lambert’s knack for accents (especially when dressed as Latina bombshell, Cecile), is, in a word, unmatched.
It’s really exciting when the skills of these three masterminds collide and blend into each other, each one taking a piece from the other two. No better is this exemplified than at the top of the second act, when, irked by a faux tweet sent by an anonymous audience member, Lambert demands they repeat the first act in its entirety. Any who might think this to be an arduous, lengthy or unnecessary task will definitely think again once they see the guns-blazing, lightning-speed, lickety-split result. It all helps to prove that the show’s a team effort and no one cast member can survive (pun definitely involved) without the other three. Director Mark Shanahan has smartly utilized each of his actors, all of which, it should be noted, come with their share of Broadway experience, and their teamwork is not to be missed.
Also enjoyable for the diehard theatre fan is the fact that the play is rife with self-referential jokes and banter. In the style of Monty Python and the Marx Brothers in which this show is based, the players cleverly (and consistently!) break the fourth wall, letting us in on the fact that they know they’re actors in a show (Particularly notable is Holmes tipping over a plate of sausages, noting, “They’re stuck to the plate,” after Watson asks for a bite, or when Watson asks to question Mrs. Barrymore, his male equivalent quips, wheeling a set piece into the wings, quips, “Very well, sir, as soon as I’ve finished parking the bed”).
Again, it’s this kind of dry wit and silly humor, coupled with the threesome’s ability to execute it so darn well, that allows for such an enjoyable evening. So, sit back, let go, laugh at yourself (and others, of course) and just indulge. I mean, what’s stopping you? It’s close, it’s affordable, and it’s HILARIOUS! You’re sure to have a howling good time!
Whippoorwill Hall Theater is located within North Castle Public Library at 19 Whippoorwill Road East in Armonk. The Hound of the Baskervilles plays at the venue through May 13th. Also, visit HudsonStage.com for ticket info and to learn about upcoming productions.
Matt Smith is a writer and contributor to The Inside Press. For further information or inquiry, please visit www.matttheater.com
In less than two weeks, over 40 members of the New York State Assembly have signed on as co-sponsors of Assemblyman David Buchwald’s bill to force the release of New York State income tax returns for statewide elected officials, including the President of the United States. With these quick pledges of support, the bill (A.7462/S.5572-A) is already over halfway towards obtaining the 76 votes needed to pass on the Assembly floor. 
On April 26, State Assemblyman David Buchwald and State Senator Brad Hoylman introduced the legislation that would direct the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance (NYSDTF) to release the tax returns within thirty days of enactment of the bill, going back five years, and then continuing each year the elected official is in office.
The legislation doesn’t just apply to the President of the United States. It applies equally to any Vice President that files New York State income tax forms, as well as the U.S. Senators representing New York, and the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General and State Comptroller. Most of these officials, including Governor Cuomo, Senator Schumer, and Senator Gillibrand, routinely make their tax returns available. And with respect to the Presidency, for over 40 years, transparency of the President’s tax returns the norm as well. The tax returns released by New York State under the legislation would redact social security numbers and other personal information the disclosure of which would violate federal law.
The Buchwald-Hoylman Bill ended up being introduced the same day the White House released its one-page handout on its tax reform proposals.
“This bill is essential for New Yorkers to have confidence in our tax system, to understand the potential motivation for tax reform proposals from our top elected officials, and to gain insight into potential conflicts of interest,” said Assemblyman Buchwald (D-Westchester).
When introducing the bill Assemblyman Buchwald said, “This bill recognizes that a personal interest in secrecy can be outweighed by the public’s right to know the tax and financial interests of its top government leaders.”
A 15% discount for a massage or treatment at Oasis is a welcome thought any time, but as an idea for a Mother’s Day treat, well, it really inspires one long, ahhh, from this mom. So act fast tomorrow to secure your discounted service.
Per Oasis owner, Bruce Schoenberg: “With the April showers now behind us, and the May flowers blooming thoughts turn towards sunshine and the beauty of New York in springtime. Mother’s Day is May 14th, and Derek Jeter Day is no match for the power of mom. Our best gift certificate sale for the holiday is tomorrow. Thursday, May 4th.” Visit www.oasisdayspanyc.com or call either of two locations: One Park Avenue, NYC, 212-254-7722, ext. 2380; at the Dobbs Ferry location, 914 409-1900, ext. 2381. –– Grace Bennett
