CityStage & Symphony Hall opens season with Late Nite Catechism
August 19, 2011
(As originally seen on CityStage and Symphony Hall's BLOG on MassLive.com)
The end of my first week as Interim President of CityStage & Symphony Hall is coming to a close, and it really feels like summer is coming to a screeching halt. I am looking forward to next week when some of the staff returns from vacation and everyone is in the office together. At that time, we'll begin the countdown to the opening of our 2011 – 12 season! It's always hard to say goodbye to the warm weather, but Fall brings a season of entertainment and we're kicking off 2011-12 with the return of the original Late Nite Catechism – and one of our favorite "Sisters." She never disappoints, and we are thrilled to welcome Sister back to Springfield.
The New York Times calls it, "hilarious, well-written and inspired." Jeffrey Lyons from TV's Sneak Previews calls Late Nite Catechism "something to savor and enjoy....one of the most intimate, rewarding shows in town."
The audience members are part of Sister's class and believe me, she'll take you back to the days of the Latin Mass, meatless Fridays, and remind you about that good old ruler across the knuckles! I hope you can join us for this fun-filled, interactive comedy, one of the longest running shows in Chicago and U.S. theater history. For tickets and more information, visit the CityStage & Symphony Hall website.
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Tina D'Agostino tapped to head Springfield's CityStage and Symphony Hall
August 11, 2011(As originally seen on MassLive.com)
SPRINGFIELD – Tina M. D'Agostino, general manager of CityStage and Symphony Hall, will serve as the organization's interim president.
She's a 10-year employee, having served as director of marketing from 2001 until a year ago and since then as general manger, according to Gary G. Breton, chairman of the board of trustees. She succeeds Cynthia J. Anzalotti who retired after 12 years overseeing the organization.
"I know that the board is confident in its decision and confident in me," D'Agostino said in an interview on Thursday.
Formally called the Springfield Performing Arts Development Corp., CityStage and Symphony Hall is responsible for managing and booking acts for both Symphony Hall and the smaller CityStage theater downtown.
"We're really an economic development agency," D'Agostino said. "We bring people downtown. We enhance the quality of life."
Filling seats is getting increasingly difficult. Symphony Hall has a relatively small stage and has had to pass on successful touring musicals like "Mamma Mia!" "Young Frankenstein" and "The Heights." Also, many acts refuse to play CityStage or Symphony Hall because they already have exclusive deals with nearby casino showrooms in Connecticut.
Breton said D'Agostino will begin the process of assembling a 2012-13 season in a few weeks, one reason why the board felt the need to fill Anzalotti's spot now.
D'Agostino said she doesn't see CityStage and Symphony hall straying too far from its current offerings. The issue of stage size is not unique to Symphony Hall, and she is hoping that producers listen to theaters around the country and start scaling their road shows to fit smaller stages.
"A lot of it is based on who is on tour," she said. "There is a lot of great music and comedy out there."
Then, too, there is the economy.
"Going out to a show is a discretionary purchase," Breton said. "So what we are seeing is a couple that might have gotten a subscription to a season's worth of shows is now going to just two or three."
D'Agostino, 41, said single-show tickets recently went on sale for the new season which opens in October, and sales are on par with last year. The same is true for season-long subscriptions.
This season's first show is "Late Night Catechism," which will run from Oct. 12 through Oct. 16. Tickets range in price from $36 to $40.50.
Other shows include comedian Bobby Collins on Nov. 12 and pianist Jim Brickman's "A Christmas Celebration" on Dec. 2.
The question of D'Agostino's new salary is still being decided. Anzalotti was paid $129,010 a year, according to a recent tax filing. Breton said he expects D'Agostino will receive a raise, but not to that level.
The plan is to take away the "interim" from D'Agostino's title and make her the permanent president at the end of this fiscal year next July, Breton said. The board is also deciding whether to fill D'Agostino's old general-manager position. One idea is change the job description to be more of a finance-type position.
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All shows go on sale August 1
August 1, 2011
(As originally seen on CityStage and Symphony Halls' BLOG on MassLive.com)
Individual tickets for all shows on the 2011-2012 Season will go on sale today - Monday, August 1 at 10 AM. With twenty-two eclectic and exciting shows featuring Broadway musicals, Comedies, Concerts and Stand-Up Comedy, CityStage & Symphony Hall has something for everyone this season! For information on all shows, visit the CityStage & Symphony Hall website.
The 2011 – 2012 Season is sponsored by MassMutual Financial Group.
New this season, complimentary parking is offered at the Tower Square Garage for subscription series shows.
Subscription series shows at CityStage are: Late Nite Catechism, October 12 – 16; Women Fully Clothed, November 2 – 6; Bobby Collins, November 12; 4 Sides of 40, November 30 - December 4; Comedian Chris Tabb, January 28 at CityStage; Parents Night Out, February 2 – 4; The Irish Comedy Tour, February 24 & 25; Forever Kings, February 29-March 4; Cocktails with Larry Miller, March 7 – 10; Country Royalty: A Tribute to Hank Williams & Patsy Cline, March 28 - April 1; Almost Elton John and the Rocket Band Starring Craig A. Meyer, April 11 – 14; Comedian Paul Venier, April 21; The Capitol Steps, April 25 – 29.
Subscription series shows at Symphony Hall are: Classic Albums Live: Thriller Friday, October 21 at 8 pm; Jim Brickman's "A Christmas Celebration", Friday, December 2 at 8 pm; Rock of Ages , Thursday, December 8 at 7:30 pm; Blast, Sunday, February 12 at 7 pm; Classic Albums Live : Dark Side of the Moon, Saturday, February 18 at 8 pm; The Midtown Men , Friday, March 2 at 8 pm; One Night of Queen performed by Gary Mullen and The Works, Wednesday, April 4 at 7:30pm; Burn The Floor, Wednesday, May 2 at 7:30 pm.
For more information or to purchase tickets please call 413.788.7033 visit citystage.symphonyhall.com or stop by the CityStage & Symphony Hall Box Office located at One Columbus Center, Springfield, MA 01103.
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