Carriage House Players announce 2019-20 season; productions at Kenan Center's Taylor Theater

The Carriage House Players recently announced its 2019-20 theater season, to be staged at the Taylor Theater in Lockport.

A press release stated, “This will be the first full season for CHP at the Taylor Theater, and will include a varied selection of humor-filled plays that reflect American culture with themes that are relevant in today's world. The Carriage House Players is a collective of actors, directors, playwrights and guest artists bringing new and contemporary works as well as selected plays from esteemed dramatists to audiences in Western New York.”

The first of three productions will open Friday, Sept. 20, with “The Prisoner of Second Avenue,” by Neil Simon; followed by “It's A Wonderful Life (Live Radio Version)” by Joe Landry, adapted from Philip Van Voren’s holiday classic, starting Dec. 6; and “The Dining Room” by A.R. Gurney, beginning April 17, 2020.

"For decades, the Taylor Theater was a hub of top-notch performances. The Carriage House Players hope to continue that tradition by introducing new audiences to the intimacy of live theater in one of Western New York's most beautiful performance spaces,” said Kathleen Rooney, a founding member of the Carriage House Players.

The press release added, “The CHP 20-2020 season celebrates the genius of Neil Simon, whose works typically involve the challenges of being a New Yorker; Philip Van Voren, who celebrates the wholesomeness of small-town America during the holiday season; and A.R. Gurney, born and bred in Buffalo, whose works focus on the upper middle class of the Northeast.”

The productions will be directed by Gail Golden, Peg Merrill and Betsy Bittar, respectively. Cast and crew for the new season include; Alicia Michielli, Alisse Sikes, Bittar, Betsy Ross Visciano, Connor Caso, Daniel Morris, Darrly Hart, Elaine Roberts, Golden, Jason Mussachio, Rooney, Les Bailey, Margo Davis, Mira Steuer and Victor Morales.

Introductory rate for Carriage House Players individual season pass is $40 until day of first performance (Sept. 20). Individual tickets for the show are $15 for Kenan Center members, $20 for the general public, and $10 for students 18 and under with student ID. Thy may be purchased online at www.kenancenter.org, in person at the Kenan Center business office, or charged by phone.

Ample free parking is available onsite. The Taylor Theater is located adjacent to the Kenan house at 433 Locust St., Lockport. For more information, visit www.kenancenter.org or call 716-433-2617. Because seating is limited, advance tickets are recommended.