The Inside Press

Magazines serving the communities of Northern Westchester

Friends of the Chappaqua Performing Arts Center

FRANKENSTEIN-THE MOVIE SCORE Comes to the Chappaqua Performing Arts Center March 22

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FRANKENSTEIN-THE MOVIE SCORE is a Production of Friends of Chappaqua Performing Arts Center

Grammy-nominated composer Michael Shapiro’s FRANKENSTEIN-THE MOVIE SCORE with live orchestra will be performed by the New Chappaqua Orchestra under the direction of the composer at the Chappaqua Performing Arts Center, 480 Bedford Road, Chappaqua, New York 10514 (info@chappaquapac.org) on Saturday night, March 22, 2025 at 8 p.m.  Doors open at 7:30 p.m.  Tickets are available at https://chappaquapac.org/

The classic early sound horror film Frankenstein starred Colin Clive and Boris Karloff (in his breakout role as the Monster) and was directed by James Whale.  The hit movie Frankenstein is largely credited with saving Universal Pictures from bankruptcy, breaking all box office records during the Depression era. However, the film was produced prior to through composed film scores being typically used (indeed King Kong in 1933 was the first film to have a full film score).

In 2002, Michael Shapiro composed an orchestral film score for the classic film Frankenstein and was premiered by The Chappaqua Orchestra at the Jacob Burns Film Center played simultaneously with the movie.  Since its premiere in Pleasantville, the score has been performed in one of its four versions (chamber orchestra, full orchestra, wind ensemble, and opera) worldwide over 65 times from St. Petersburg, Russia, Milan, Italy, Bergen, Norway, Trier, Germany, Birmingham, Liverpool, and Manchester, UK, to performances all over the United States and Canada, including the opera version premieres at the Los Angeles Opera and Atlanta Opera and the wind ensemble version by the Dallas Winds at the Meyersohn Symphony Center. 

The Chappaqua performance, under the direction of composer Michael Shapiro, will be the first time the score has been played in Westchester in over ten years.

Holiday Hijinks at Elf, The Interactive Movie

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Are you looking for something a little out of the ordinary to do with your kids this upcoming holiday season? Then the Chappaqua Performing Arts Center interactive version of the movie Elf would be the perfect event for you and your family.

Four years ago, Michele Gregson, Chair of The Friends of ChappPAC started what was soon to become a beloved holiday tradition – an interactive way to view the cherished movie, Elf. It went on to capture the hearts of local families, as well as fostering a sense of community among Westchester residents.

This interactive adaptation of ­Elf transforms a classic film into something that can be enjoyed even more than it already has been. This creative and immersive experience will stay with children of all ages for years to come. For those who do not know what an interactive movie is, it’s a film that the viewers can watch and also participate in. Utilizing a script of well-known lines and plot points along with some simple props, you can bring a movie to life making it fun for both children and adults.

So, what makes this version of Elf interactive? “I looked at the film and I looked at what other people did for interactive movies, and then made decisions about how we would do it,” Gregson, explained. “It’s like Rocky Horror Meets Elf and that’s how we mirrored it.” The parents and children receive marked scripts with cues. The scripts help the parents to guide their kids and be prepared to assist at the right moments throughout the movie. Each child receives a bag of goodies that help them participate in the interactive parts.

For example, during the snowball fight, all of the participants get big, white, cotton balls to interact with the scene as it happens in the movie. “The kids go crazy for that part,” Gregson said. “They just throw the snowballs and go running around trying to get the ones that fall. They even go on the stage. It’s really hilarious.”

A Season’s Highlight

There are also cue cards for certain lines for the children to say. “Parents can assist younger children who are emerging readers and there is an elf on stage who helps the kids participate by letting them know what’s coming! It’s really something to watch,” Gregson shared. Even though Interactive Elf is a relatively new tradition in Chappaqua, it continues to be a highlight in the holiday season for many. This version of Elf is also an inclusive event that children of all ages and abilities can participate in.

If you would like to see Elf, visit the Chappaqua Performing Arts Center on Sunday, December 15th. Below is the link to visit their website. chappaquapac.org

Pout Pout Delivered Family Entertainment with an Important Message

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Families gathered at the Chappaqua Performing Arts Center to enjoy a musical performance of The Pout Pout Fish, a popular children’s book brought to life.

Article and Photos By Leslie Regan

The lively musical Pout Pout spreads the important message that everyone should be valued for who they are on the inside, and not judged based on appearance.

Talented actors and actresses brought The Pout Pout Fish story alive with song. Audience members enjoyed the catchy tunes.In addition to the 11 a.m. show, there was a 2 p.m. performance that was geared towards community members with sensory sensitivities and other special needs. There was a warm sense of inclusivity at both performances where students from The EPIC (Every Person is Connected) Committee sold books and concessions. The EPIC committee helps students with special needs contribute to their community in a meaningful way for all involved.

The Pout Pout Fish was brought to the Chappaqua Performing Arts Center on May 25 by Friends of ChappPAC, a local non profit organization. This newly formed nonprofit was created in order to provide Chappaqua with cultural and live arts and bring families together. Friends of ChappPAC teamed up with another non profit organization–TheaterWorks USA–to put on Saturday’s performances.

Tracy Stein, Vice Chair of the ChappPac Board of Directors, said TheaterWorks brings to life children’s books; their mission is to bring theater to all areas of the country-including underserved areas and schools. “They promote literacy and provide theater to places that might not get it otherwise,” she said. 

As part of Friends of ChappPAC’s mission to provide programming also to local underserved communities, it provided tickets to local organizations such as Neighbors Link and The Boys and Girls Club of Northern Westchester, which allowed many children and families to enjoy The Pout Pout fish and the ChappPAC.

Friends of ChappPAC is also working to raise money to kick off its inaugural 2019 Fall Season. “Models like the Jacob Burns Film Center and the Emelin Center for Performing Arts show that community investment is critical to programming,” said Stein. 

Friends of ChappPAC would like to continue to help spread the joy of theater, and is seeking additional funding. If anyone would like to join the Executive Committee, they are encouraged to contact Friends of ChappPAC at friendsofchapppac@gmail.com

Leslie Regan is a Lehigh University student with a passion for photography. She studies Psychology and Journalism and enjoys combining her interests by getting to know people and telling their unique stories through photography. She has covered several events for Inside Chappaqua Magazine and has been photographing parties, and families, and special events on her own for the past few years.

Actors and actresses were the voices and singing voices behind the sea creatures. Some characters consisted of a shark, clam, octopus, eel, and of course The Pout Pout Fish.
The Pout-Pout Fish book is illustrated by Dan Hanna. His beautiful drawings were  brought to life on stage with bright fish and other ocean creatures.
Tracy Stein is the Vice Chair of the Board of Directors of ChappPAC. The goal of this organization is to bring more productions to Chappaqua such as musical theater and concerts in order to unite and bond the community.

 

 

 

Chappaqua Performing Arts Center: Ambitious Plans Shape Up for a New Westchester Destination

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Frank Shiner and fellow musicians at the Chappaqua Performing Arts Center PHOTO BY Carolyn Simpson/Doublevision Photographers

By Grace Bennett

“We were so lucky to be able to save this theater,” Town Councilwoman Lisa Katz said, at the start of an animated conversation about the current uses and all the grand possibilities for the Town of New Castle’s Chappaqua Performing Arts Center (ChappPac), the stately white building previously known as the Wallace Auditorium on the old Readers Digest campus.

With its airy interior and 300-plus, plush red velvet seats, and ample outdoor parking, the ChappPac already serves as ‘home’ to the town’s beloved Chappaqua Orchestra, whose productions there have been ongoing. Most recently, the Chappaqua Orchestra performed a second Storybook Concert and a Concerto Winner’s Concert inside its doors. Early on, a simulcast from Hamilton drew 125 attendees.

ChappPac is also now officially an exciting new venue for upcoming theater productions led by John Fanelli, executive director of the Lighthouse Youth Theater that’s based in Armonk. Fanelli was brought in to begin bringing in compelling theater to inside the ChappPac. “He is highly energetic and has a lot of contacts,” said Katz. “We are allowing his organization to use the space for eight weeks.” Fanelli stated at a recent performance that he is open to feedback on the kinds of productions area residents would be most interested in.

The pursuit of a full range of performing arts offerings is just beginning, and support from the community has already proved robust. The excitement was palpable among audience members who packed the house to enjoy Chappaqua’s blues and soul singer Frank Shiner. It was a first ‘charity concert,’ with Shiner donating 100 percent of the revenue from the evening toward a variety of purchases and improvements to the Center. (See a ‘Gotta Have Arts’ profile about Shiner at theinsidepress.com). A Friends of the Chappaqua Performing Arts Center, headed by Michele Gregson and Tracy Stein, aims to raise $50,000 this summer toward programming efforts.

Steffi Nossen School of Dance
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“The building could well have been demolished,” Katz points out, “to make room for town homes at the upcoming Chappaqua Crossing on the old RD campus. Town officials ‘jumped,’ to save it, she explained, and for a pittance, the Town of New Castle became the Center’s official owner. A theater camp for kids with one-week sessions is planned on site for the summer too.

The possibilities are endless, Katz says. She listed possibilities ranging from major art exhibits and comedy nights to an A-List lecture series (such as at the 92nd Street Y) or, “who knows, maybe an a capella concert featuring high schools from around the county. My goal is to transform the Center into a pre-eminent destination for visual performing arts and music and art.”

The success of the Jacob Burns Film Center in Pleasantville inspired the members of a Town Arts and Culture committee, formed two years ago, Katz added. “We want to create here for performing arts what the Burns Center is for film in Pleasantville.”

At press time, a programming schedule was in the works, and a website for the Chappaqua Performing Arts Center is still in development.

Donations are welcome! Write to: The Friends of the Chappapaqua Performing Arts Center, P. O. Box 351, Chappapaqua, NY.

Grace Bennett, Publisher and Editor of The Inside Press, looks forward to watching ChappPac evolve.

Inside the ChappPac: the May Concerto Winners’ Concert (L-R): David Restivo, Chappaqua Orchestra Executive Director; Julian Langford, Cello: the George and Sheila Drapeau, 1st Prize winner, Senior Division; Dylan Wu, Cello: the Frank and Suzanne Shiner 1st Prize winner, Junior Division Georgia Lazaridou, Piano: the Rita Ross 2nd Prize winner, Senior Division; Sara Scanlon, Cello: The Carmen and Rafael 2nd Prize winner, Junior Division; and Radaslawa Jasik, Piano: The David and Natalia Restivo 3rd Prize winner, Senior Division. Not shown: William Tang, Piano: the Georgia and Ron Frasch 3rd Prize winner, Junior Division.
PHOTO BY LANA ROSENBLIT

A Community Delights in Frank Shiner & in the Chappaqua Performing Arts Center

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By Grace Bennett

Frank Shiner tells his audiences that “Love,” in all its permutations (the agony and the ecstasy), serves as the theme for his musical selections. By every indication last night: love and a palpable excitement permeated the air as the audience rose for a standing ovation for Shiner–cheering for the exuberant and talented singer but also for the future of the all new Chappaqua Performing Arts Center. 

Frank Shiner   PHOTO BY Carolyn Simpson, Doublevision Photographers

It was just emotion taking him over at first when Shiner took the stage, looking out into the packed room, and a little choked up, he said, “Thank you, Chappaqua.”

And then he proceeded to engage a hometown audience with a thoughtful selection of blues/soul songs including stirring titles from Amy Winehouse (“Love is a Losing Game”): and The Young Rascals (“How Can I be Sure?”), backed up by a group of mega talented musicians who have worked with celebrity performers. They were:

 

Jon Cobert, keyboard – Lennon, Springstein

 

Sherrod Barnes, guitar- Whitney, Roberta Flack, Earth Wind Fire

 

Jay Rodriguez sax,flute- Prince, Patty Labelle, Elvis Cost Miles Davis                    

 

Chris Anderson Bass, toured with A Great Big Wold and Rachel Platten and has a band with his wife. 

 

Dan Weiner drummer – Amer. Got talent house, Woo Tang Clan

 

(L-R) Joining Frank Shiner on stage with stellar performances of their own too: (L-R) Jon Cobert, Sherrod Barnes, Dan Weiner, Chris Anderson and Jay Rodriguez PHOTO BY Carolyn Simpson, Doublevision Photographers
Frank Shiner with cast members from Greeley’s production of Grease. PHOTO BY Grace Bennett, Inside Press

 

Shiner and his daughter Lindsay  PHOTO BY Carolyn Simpson

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                                                                                                                                                    Frank also announced the debut of his daughter Lindsay Shiner, a Greeley senior who was just accepted to the BFA Program at Baldwin Wallace University, singing as backup and in a duet with her father (“When Something is Wrong with my Baby” with the lyrics changed slightly to reflect a father/daughter relationship!).  Toward the end of the show,  members of Greeley’s cast of Grease, the senior musical, joined Frank on stage as well to perform “We Go Together.”

David Restivo, executive director of the Chappaqua Orchestra and on the Town’s Arts and Culture committee, volunteered with sound, together with John Flanagan, who ran the lights too. Area restaurants including Le Jardin du roi and Quaker Hill Tavern in Chappaqua offered donations before and after the show with tie ins on their menus. Shiner himself donated $5K in proceeds from the show to the newly formed Friends of the Chappaqua Performing Arts Center. Shiner’s upcoming album, Lonely Town, Lonely Street will be available May 19th on RED/SONY with his single On a Rainy Night in Georgia.

Most of all, it was a warm and enthusiastic community gathering signifying the continuing aspirations for the evolving venue. Prior to Frank taking the stage, the audience heard Town Councilwoman Lisa Katz, who conceived the Center working with the town’s Arts and Culture committee, describe an array of plans by the Town of New Castle–including a town theater camp for kids this summer and a special art show in September–to ultimately position the site of the old Readers Digest Wallace Auditorium as a key cultural destination in Northern Westchester, and for the county, as well.

John Fanelli, director of the Lighthouse Youth Theater in Armonk, with a years-long track record of directing shows in the county, has been brought in as theater manager to help produce an array of musicals and shows to the venue.  He expressed his enthusiasm about the venue and told the audience that he is open to receiving ideas for productions from the community, too.

Chappaqua’s Michele Gregson and Tracy Stein are heading the new Friends of the Chappaqua Performing Arts Center and have plans to raise an initial $50,000 for program development at the Center.

A website is under construction and a calendar of events is being created soon too. 

Next up: an all new Storybook Family Concert by the Chappaqua Orchestra on April 29th directed by Maestro Michael Shapiro. Shiner graciously encouraged everyone attending to purchase tickets for the show which he described as a high caliber event and “not just for kids.” Visit www.chappaquaorchestra.org for tickets and more information.

No doubt about it… Chappaqua’s Got Arts.

Grace Bennett, Publisher and Editor of the Inside Press, is excited about the future of the Chappaqua Performing Arts Center.