The Howland Cultural Center and Passing the Torch Through the Arts
present
The First Annual Educational Theater festival showcasing two plays by emerging playwrights in the Hudson Valley:
The Finest of the Finest
6pm: The Finest of the finest by Carol Elkins.
Set in New York City, between 1911 and 1918 and is a lively story of Mary Sullivan, the first female police officer in the N.Y.C.P.D. We follow her as she wins over her male cohorts, brings criminals to justice, and tends to the needs of her old mother and young daughter. She handles it all with a light touch until she comes face to face with her nemesis, the magnificent Margaret Sanger, who brings out her Irish temper. And then the fur flies!
8pm: A new musical production of an original historical play by Michael Monasterial entitled, Sam Cooke: Where You Been Baby?
It's an American Pop Fable that illuminates the life and musical genius of an American original. The pop singer who wrote, performed and produced 24 Billboard hits over his 8 years at the top of the charts was also a pioneer in the Civil Rights movement and an inventor of musical styles that are still incorporated in pop and gospel music 50 years later. Sam Cooke's early years in Mississippi, his rise to fame and his demons that ultimately lead to his untimely demise are explored in this drama, but it is well seasoned with humor, pathos and most of all great, great music. The play has been presented to large houses and standing ovations and is still being developed for a NYC tour next Spring.
Sam Cooke: Where you Been Baby? is directed by Esther Evans Taylor and the production stage manager is Patricia Gallio, with music by Bruce Berky and choreography by Abby Lappen. It stars Sabrina Kershaw, Stephen M. Jones, Evelyn Clarke, Dennis Washington and Michael Monasterial as Sam Cooke.
$10.00 all students are free.
(limit 1 student with each paying adult, since seating is limited).
This is a joint fundraiser for the two organizations, so that Passing the Torch can keep its programming free for all the youth of the Hudson Valley (we are a 501c3 non-profit, so please be as generous as your means can afford you.) You can even sponsor a block of tickets for youth to see the show or purchase advance tickets since we usually sell out early...visit Passingthetorchthroughthearts@gmail.com or call 845-901-6820.
