Kingsborough Announces 2011/12 Performance Lineup

The Handsome Little Devils’ Squirm Burpee Circus is just one of the performances on the 2011/12 lineup.

Kingsborough Community College hosts one of the finest – and most under-appreciated – cultural venues in Southern Brooklyn, with a top-notch theater as its crown jewel. The On Stage at Kingsborough program, which produces seasonal schedules for the theater, is announcing their lineup of exclusive cabaret, dance, theatre and family performances covering the next year. Featuring stars like Lorna Loft, Billy Stritch and America’s Got Talent finalists Recycled Percussion, the diverse slate is revving up for one of the school’s biggest years of affordable, local entertainment yet.

“We approach this season with tremendous anticipation as we welcome leading artists in dance, theatre, music and family entertainment,” said Anna Becker, the executive director of On Stage at Kingsborough. “We are honored that world-class performers such as Lorna Luft, Billy Stritch and Paul Taylor’s Taylor 2 among many, many others have agreed to make On Stage at Kingsborough their only Brooklyn engagement this season.  We are confident that our audiences will welcome them with great enthusiasm.”

The season kicks off on September 24 with a free opening party, and runs through the end of May 2012. Tickets vary in price from nothing to $55 and can be bought at the school’s box office, by phone or online (details below).

The 2011/2012 season is as follows:

SEASON OPENING PARTY:

Join us for an afternoon of entertainment for all ages including The Bossy Frog Band, RIOULT, a sneak preview of All Wear Bowlers, and Manhattan Brass.  Free refreshments, prizes, and a 10% discount on tickets all afternoon.

September 24, Noon to 5 p.m.  FREE

CABARET SERIES:

Songs My Mother Taught Me – Lorna Luft celebrates her mother Judy Garland – The Legend – The Music – The Memories.  CD signing by Ms. Luft in the lobby after the show. October 15, 2011 at 8 p.m.  $30

Broadway Close Up: Noel & Cole In Love – From Merkin Concert Hall, the witty and charming love songs of Cole Porter & Noel Coward, performed by leading Broadway performers, in outstanding new arrangements by Broadway arranger/music Director David Loud. November 13 at 3 p.m.  $25

Dreaming of a Song: The Music of Hoagy Carmichael – Onion News Network star Klea Blackhurst and Grammy Award-winner Billy Stritch honor the music of one of America’s most treasured songwriters. March 4 at 3 p.m.  $25

SPECIAL MUSICAL EVENTS:

Recycled Percussion – Hear the amazing rhythmic sounds of “America’s Got Talent” finalists, Recycled Percussion. October 20 at 6 p.m.  $20

The Borodin String Quartet of Moscow – The oldest classical ensemble in the world plays works by the great masters in this rare New York appearance. October 23 at 7 p.m.  $35/$45/$55

Hip, Heymish & Hanukkah! – International Concert Artist and Folksbiene Yiddish Theatre star Eleanor Reissa signs Yiddish Soul, with her Klezmer band, The Bloozers. Rugelach reception with Ms. Reissa in the lobby after the show. December 18 at 3 p.m.  $25

DANCE SERIES:

James Sewell Ballet’s Le Dance Off – A wry twist on the current craze of celebrity-infused competitive dance, this show- with music that ranges from Bach to Lady Gaga – is both a serious satire and virtuosic homage to the incredible range of dance currently on the scene. December 3 at 8 p.m.  $30

Stars of the Russian Ballet – Ballet stars from the official ballet academies of the Mariinsky Ballet, The Bolshoi Ballet, and the Tchaikovsky Perm Ballet in a gala evening of the great “show-off” ballets. March 18 at 3 p.m.  $30

Paul Taylor’s Taylor 2 – With all the artistry of Paul Taylor’s world-renowned choreography, this dynamic and accomplished company will perform a broad spectrum of Taylor’s masterworks. Ticket buyers are invited to a free pre-show Open Technical Rehearsal for a peak behind the scenes. May 5 at 8 p.m.  $25

SPECIAL DANCE EVENTS:

Insider’s Look: Camille A. Brown & Dancers – An open rehearsal in advance of a world premiere at the Joyce Theatre. Sneak a peek at a great new work and talk with the choreographer and dancers as they reveal insights into the creative process. November 3, at 7 p.m.  FREE

Small Steps, Tiny Revolutions – RIOULT, the world-famous modern dance company, performs with young Brooklyn dancers in this dance about a boy’s forbidden desire to dance, the gift of imagination, and the transforming power of love. February 4 at 3 p.m.  FREE

THEATRE SERIES:

All Wear Bowlers – In this Drama Desk-nominated show created by and starring Trey Lyford and Geoff Sobelle, two silent film stars literally fall off the screen and find themselves trapped in a haunted theatre where hard-boiled eggs play tricks on them and gravity refuses to behave. April 21 at 8 p.m.  $25

The Liar Show – Four of New York’s fastest talkers tell outrageous personal stories but, listen carefully, because one of them is making it all up. Audience members interrogate the tellers and cast their vote for the phony. Hosted by Andy Christie.  Winners receive a Liar t-shirt.  This is Brooklyn…there will be lots of winners. May 19 at 8 p.m.  $25

FAMILY SERIES (meet the cast in the lobby after all Family shows):

The Handsome Little Devils’ Squirm Burpee Circus – A hit at The New Victory last season, this show explodes with high energy acts like the Human Cannonball, Chainsaw Juggling, the Ladder of Love, and more as Mike the Handsome, Dashing Dave, and The Lovely Little Lolo try to outwit the dastardly Baron Vegan Von Hamburger! November 19 at 10:30 a.m.  $12

Hudson Vagabond Puppets’ The Snow Queen – Hans Christian Andersen’s classic wintry tale features larger-than-life puppets danced in a narrated ballet. Join the Puppeteers in the lobby for holiday cookies after the performance! December 17 at 10:30 a.m.  $12

The Paper Bag Players’ LAUGH, LAUGH, LAUGH! – Featuring funny stories, paper bag sets and costumes, dances you’ll get to dance, and songs you’ll get to sing, in a merry mix that includes tales of the Dandy-Do-Everything Dynamo, a tiny paper bag dragon, a dancing broom, a super hero, and much more. March 25 at 3 p.m.  $12

Angelina Ballerina the Musical! – Based on the popular book and animated series on PBS Kids, Vital Theatre Company’s Angelina Ballerina will have the entire audience dancing in the aisles. May 20 at 3 p.m.  $12

GENERAL INFORMATION:

Individual ticket prices vary and are listed above.  Multi-show and Subscription discounts are available.

Tickets are now on sale, and available as follows:

In Person: On Stage at Kingsborough box office, Kingsborough Community College, 2001 Oriental Boulevard (cross street: Oxford), Brooklyn, NY. There is ample, free parking on the campus.

Box Office Hours:  10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Monday through Friday

By Phone: (718) 368-5596

Online: www.OnStageAtKingsborough.org

DIRECTIONS:  By Car: AMPLE, FREE PARKING is available and we are just minutes from Exit 8 off the Belt Parkway. By Bus:  Take the B1 or B49 bus straight to our gates. By Subway: Take the B, Q, F, D, or N and transfer to the B1 bus for a short ride to our gates.