Community Performance Series Announces Fall 2022 Season

Broadway star Sierra Boggess will take the stage on Saturday, Sept. 24 at 7:30 p.m. in Hosmer Hall, as the Fourth Maresca Visiting Artist. Boggess has been seen on Broadway in the Tony-nominated musical “School of Rock,” in “It Shoulda Been You” directed by David Hyde Pierce, two separate engagements of the Broadway production of “The Phantom of the Opera,” the revival of “Master Class” and starred in “The Little Mermaid,” which earned her Drama Desk and Drama League nominations. Other New York theatre credits include the recent off-Broadway production of Barry Manilow’s “Harmony;” “The Secret Garden” at Lincoln Center; the one-night-only concert of “Guys & Dolls” at Carnegie Hall opposite Nathan Lane, Patrick Wilson and Megan Mullally; the final Off-Broadway cast of “Love, Loss, and What I Wore,” and “Music in the Air” for City Center’s Encores! series. London theatre credits include “Les Misérables,” the 25th anniversary concerts of “Phantom” at Royal Albert Hall and “Love Never Dies” (Olivier Award nomination). Film and television credits include “Vulture Club” with Susan Sarandon and the web series “What’s Your Emergency.” Boggess has toured all over the world across Australia, Japan and Europe with her concert show. She recently released an album of duets with Julian Ovenden made during the pandemic, titled “Together At A Distance.”   

The 22nd annual Ranlett Organ Recital will follow on Sunday, Oct. 2 at 3 p.m. in Hosmer Hall, featuring the internationally celebrated concert organist Isabelle Demers. Demers has enraptured critics, presenters and audience members around the globe for her entrancing performances, appearing in recital at the cathedrals of Cologne and Regensburg (Germany), the ElbPhilharmonie (Hamburg), St. Paul’s Cathedral, Westminster Cathedral, Westminster Abbey, and the Royal Festival Hall (London), the Royal Opera House of Muscat (Oman), Melbourne Town Hall (Australia), Auckland Town Hall (New Zealand), as well as major universities and concert halls in the United States. She is in continual demand by her fellow colleagues, having repeatedly performed for regional and national conventions of the American Guild of Organists, the American Institute of Organ Builders, International Society of Organbuilders, Royal Canadian College of Organists and the Organ Historical Society. Demers’ visit will include a free organ encounter the day before the concert, on Saturday, Oct. 1 at 3 p.m., also in Hosmer Hall. 

Mermaid Theatre of Nova Scotia will bring a family-friendly production of “It’s Okay to Be Different,” to Potsdam, inspired by the bestselling contemporary storybooks by Todd Parr. This Maresca Family Performance is scheduled for Sunday, Oct. 16 at 3 p.m., in Snell Theater, and is designed to delight children in Grades Pre-K to 3 (along with their families). Three of Parr’s most popular stories have been adapted for the stage for the performance. “It’s Okay to Be Different” cleverly delivers the important messages of acceptance, understanding and self-confidence. Equally whimsical and heartfelt, “The Earth Book” is a sweet homage to our beautiful planet inspiring readers of all ages to do their part to keep the Earth happy and healthy. “This is My Hair” is a funny exploration of how silly hair can be and a reminder to always feel good about yourself, no matter how you look. 

Next, the groundbreaking quintet fivebyfive is set to perform alongside guest composer/harpist Amy Nam, in a concert entirely inspired by glass, on Sunday, Oct. 23 at 3 p.m., in Snell Theater, as the 38th McElheran Visiting Artists. The eclectic artist-led ensemble includes Laura Lentz ’93, flute and artistic director; Marcy Bacon, clarinet; Ken Luk, electric guitar; Eric J. Polenik, bass; Haeyeun Jeun, piano, and Marc Webster, audio/video engineer and technical director. Performing music of leading and emerging composers from around the world, fivebyfive advocates for creators who are underrepresented in the field and collaborates with artists across disciplines. fivebyfive’s events often involve community-building experiences in real-time during performances. The CPS concert will feature the premiere of Nam’s “Of Breath and Fire,” supported by a Chamber Music America Commissioning Grant, as part of an all-glass inspired program featuring music by Missy Mazzoli, Brittany Green, Anthony R. Green, Edie Hill, Patrick Burke, Philip Glass and Kari Telstad Sundet. 

The Akropolis Reed Quintet will round out the fall season on Friday, Oct. 28 at 7:30 p.m., performing in Snell Theater, as the 39th McElheran Visiting Artists. As the first reed quintet to grace the Billboard charts, the untamed band of five reed players and entrepreneurs are united by a shared passion: to make music that sparks joy and wonder. The winner of seven national chamber music prizes, including the 2014 Fischoff Gold Medal, the Akropolis Reed Quintet delivers 120 concerts and educational events each year, and has premiered more than 130 works. Experimenters and creators at their core, the group has collaborated with poets, a metal fabricator, dancers, small business owners, string quartets, pop vocalists and more. The quintet’s next season will include premieres of the music of Augusta Read Thomas and Omar Thomas; imaginative renditions of music by Ravel, Bernstein, Rameau, Shostakovich and Gershwin, and touring their fourth album, “Ghost Light.”

To purchase tickets, contact the Community Performance Series Box Office, located in the Performing Arts Center lobby, by calling (315) 267-2277 or online at visiting www.cpspotsdam.org. Tickets are also available at Brick & Mortar Music in downtown Potsdam.   

About Community Performance Series: 

The Community Performance Series is a college-community partnership presenting distinctive and renowned performing artists and arts education opportunities in Northern New York. This rich mixture of programming links communities, classrooms and audiences of all ages and preserves access to the performing arts for future generations. For more information, visit www.cpspotsdam.org. 

About SUNY Potsdam:  

Founded in 1816, The State University of New York at Potsdam is one of America’s first 50 colleges—and the oldest institution within SUNY. Now in its third century, SUNY Potsdam is distinguished by a legacy of pioneering programs and educational excellence. The College currently enrolls approximately 3,000 undergraduate and graduate students. Home to the world-renowned Crane School of Music, SUNY Potsdam is known for its challenging liberal arts and sciences core, distinction in teacher training and culture of creativity. To learn more, visit www.potsdam.edu.