• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

The Inside Press

Magazines serving the communities of Northern Westchester

  • Home
  • Advertise
    • Advertise in One or All of our Magazines
    • Advertising Payment Form
  • Print Subscription
  • Digital Subscription
    • Subscribe
    • Subscriber Login
  • Contact Us

Veterans Day

CHOICES: A Rock Opera to Support the Wounded Warrior Project in Three Performances through Veteran’s Day Weekend

November 9, 2022 by InsidePress

Editor’s Note: A not so best kept secret is that there is something sizzlingly hot happening this weekend at the Chappaqua Performance Arts Center!

I was invited to catch the cast of Choices: A Rock Opera rehearsing for three upcoming shows–and showed up to witness a mere portion of their first full dress rehearsal last night. After just a few songs, it was hard not to feel swept away by the passion and life struggles shared in this fascinating story, performed all in song, from beginning to end. In all its complexity, it’s also simply a love story to embrace! The best news is you can still grab tickets and at the same time support the Wounded Warrior Project, a perfect way to support our Veterans. More below with showtime and ticket info from the producers of the show and the Wounded Warrior Project.  — Grace Bennett

Cast of Choices: A Rock Opera during a rehearsal at the Chappaqua Performing Arts Center. Inside Press Photo

Westchester, NY – November 4, 2022 – This Veterans Day weekend, November 11-13, 2022, a portion of ticket sales from the performances and all post-performance collections at Choices: A Rock Opera will be donated to support non-profit Wounded Warrior Project® (WWP) programs and services for warriors, which include access to mental and physical health care, employment assistance, and education services.

Broadway’s MiG Ayesa (Burn the Floor, Rock of Ages) and Composer/Director John Krupa at Chappaqua Performing Arts Center plus cast and creatives for Choices: A Rock Opera hail from across Westchester and the surrounding tri-state area, including Chappaqua, Armonk, Yonkers, Mahopac, Peekskill, Yorktown, Scarsdale, Hawthorne, Pleasantville, Eastchester, Ossining, Dobbs Ferry, Rye, Greenwich and Long Island.

Since 2003, Wounded Warrior Project® has been meeting the growing needs of warriors, their families, and caregivers – helping them achieve their highest ambition.

Choices: A Rock Opera is an electrifying new musical with an original Rock score by John Krupa about a driven but naïve lead singer of a 1980’s spandex-wearing, hairspray rock band. With lyrical melodies uniquely juxtaposed against heavy metal guitars and screaming synthesizers, Choices: A Rock Opera follows our lead singer on a universal journey through monumental roadblocks, dilemmas, and moral ambiguities. A mysterious man promises super-stardom; while friends, fans, and a captivating woman show him a vast world beyond his passionate focus that has garnered the band’s success, yet which has stunted his own personal evolution. Torn between a life of domestic bliss and a life of fame, can he make the true choice? An introspective, authentic depiction of the pulsating and electrifying ‘80s rock era, the story is the music in this modern coming of age musical for all audiences.

John Krupa directs a cast of 15 which includes Krupa and Ayesa as well as Nick Celio, Layla DaVias (“American Idol,” “Star Search”), Ronnie DiMaria, Annemarie Josephson, Christina Labrador (Count Zero Records), Joe Leo, and Dave O’Briskie, with Holly Block, Lielle Burk, Elana Cantor, Moriah Ritchie, Katie Weinstein, and Mia Williams.

The music and lyrics for Choices: A Rock Opera were written by John Krupa. Orchestrations by Artie Dillon, Mike Rosenman, Tommy Vinton and Grammy Award-winning producer William “Bill” Wittman (Kinky Boots, Cyndi Lauper), who are also members of band, which is rounded out by Hank DeCora, Jonathan Flaks, and Felix Guiffra. Together, they are an ensemble of professional musicians with over 150 years of combined experience working with the music industry’s top talent.

“With six new songs and an enhanced storyline, we are excited to continue to explore the characters and music in this new full production,” says Krupa. “Our talented cast of Broadway, Off-Broadway and regional theater performers continue to bring this important story to life.”

Performances at the Chappaqua Performing Arts Center are Friday, November 11 and Saturday, November 12 at 8:00 p.m., and Sunday, November 13 at 2 p.m.

Tickets are $40, plus a $2.50 service fee. For tickets and additional information, visit: choicesarockopera.com.

The runtime for Choices is approximately two hours, plus one 15-minute intermission.

Executive Producer: John Krupa; Managing Producer: Dawn Levy; Producers: Chris Grajewski, Layla DaVias, Tommy Vinton, Choices, A Rock Opera, LLC; Associate Producer: Mike Rosenman; Musical Director: Mike Rosenman; Choreographer: Holly Block; Lighting Designer: Zachary Dulny; Stage Manager and Assistant Director: Dani Masterson; Sound Designer: Chris Grajewski; Costume Designer: Dawn Levy; Hair Dresser: Karen Catalano; Assistant Stage Manager and Props Manager: Peggy Ringwood; Audio Engineer: Jessica Klee; Additional Publicity and Marketing: Jay Byrne and Annie Vinton; Press Representative: Paul Siebold/Off Off PR.

Choices: A Rock Opera was presented as a workshop production in April 2022.

 

 

Filed Under: Gotta Have Arts Tagged With: Chappaqua Performng Arts Center, Choices: A Rock Opera, Love Story, Veteran's Day weekend, Veterans Day, Warriors, Wounded Warrior Project

14 Resident Veterans Honored at the Bristal

December 2, 2018 by Grace Bennett

 

Bristal Assisted Living at Armonk, an assisted and independent living community, celebrated Veterans Day honoring a group of 14 residents who served in the military. State, county and town officials joined the ceremony, commending the veterans for their courage and service.

North Castle Town Supervisor Michael Schiliro, on behalf of the North Castle town board stated:  “Your bravery is like that recently witnessed by first responders going into the wildfires of California. It’s no different than what all of you did for all of us so many years ago, and we just can’t thank you enough.”

Honoring veterans at the Bristal (L-R) North Castle Supervisor Michael Schiliro; State Assemblyman David Buchwald; North Castle Councilwoman Barbara DiGiacinto; North Castle Councilman Jose Berra; North Castle Councilman Steve D’Angelo;The Bristal at Armonk Executive Director Samantha Krieger; County Legislator Margaret Cunzio; and U.S. Navy Veteran Stephen Smith representing the Byram Veterans Association.  Photos By Grace Bennett

State Assemblyman David Buchwald noted, “Your service is inspiring to the entire community. This day is about each of you and the men and women you served with. I wouldn’t miss this opportunity for anything.”

County Legislator Margaret Cunzio presented an American flag that had been flown in a search and rescue helicopter. It was given to her by a cousin, a Major in the Air Force who had recently returned from service in Afghanistan. A second cousin, she also noted proudly, is a lieutenant colonel who served five tours of duty.

“He (the Major) was in Syria last year, and had just returned home to his nine month old baby girl and three- year- old son. There’s a video of him coming home and his son saying:  “That’s my daddy. My daddy’s home. My daddy’s safe.”

“I am honored and proud to display this flag,” she said. 

Photos by Grace Bennett

Filed Under: Armonk Cover Stories Tagged With: Armonk, military, North Castle Town Board, Resident Veterans, Veterans, Veterans Day

Primary Sidebar

Recent Posts

  • Holocaust Survivor Helga Luden Relates her Story of Escape, Rescue and Survival
  • Four Winters Shines a Light on the Bravery of World War II Survivors Among the 25,000 Jewish Partisans
  • $86K State Grant Awarded to 2023 Phoenix Festival Signals Growing Focus on Tourism
  • Scarsdale Music Festival Gearing Up for a June 3rd Event: Sponsorships, Performers and Vendors Sought
  • Governor Hochul Urges: SHOP SMALL to Help Small Businesses Which Make Up 98% of New York State’s Economy
  • Chappaqua’s Always Magical HOLIDAY STROLL on December 3rd: Ice Sculpting, Tree Lighting, Horace Greeley Encords… and More!

Please Visit

White Plains Hospital
Boys & Girls Club
Compass: Goldman and Herman
Compass: Generic
Desires by Mikolay
William Raveis – Chappaqua
William Raveis – Armonk
Dodd’s Wine Shop
Houlihan Lawrence – Armonk
Houlihan Lawrence – Chappaqua
Lumagica Enchanged Forest
Compass: Miller-Goldenberg Team
Compass: Natalia Wixom
Eye Designs of Armonk
Stacee Massoni
Club Fit
Beecher Flooks Funeral Home
NYOMIS – Dr. Andrew Horowitz
Raveis: Sena Baron
Houlihan: Kile Boga-Ibric
World Cup Gymnastics
Houlihan Lawrence – Rusminka Rose Jakaj
Compass: Usha Subramaniam
Compass: David Braham
Dr. Briones Medical Weight Loss Center

Follow our Social Media

The Inside Press

Our Latest Issues

For a full reading of our current edition, or to obtain a copy or subscription, please contact us.

Inside Chappaqua Inside Armonk Inside Pleasantville

Join Our Mailing List


Search Inside Press

Links

  • Advertise
  • Contact Us
  • Digital Subscription
  • Print Subscription

Footer

Support The Inside Press

Advertising

Print Subscription

Digital Subscription

Categories

Archives

Subscribe

Did you know you can subscribe anytime to our print editions?

Voluntary subscriptions are most welcome, if you've moved outside the area, or a subscription is a great present idea for an elderly parent, for a neighbor who is moving or for your graduating high school student or any college student who may enjoy keeping up with hometown stories.

Subscribe Today

Copyright © 2023 The Inside Press, Inc. · Log in