THEATER – 7:30 p.m. Get your golden ticket to a world of pure imagination with the cast of ‘Willy Wonka Jr.’ presented by Orpheus Theater. Cost, $15/adult. Foothills Performing Arts Center, Oneonta. 607-432-1800 or visit www.facebook.com/OrpheusTheatre/
COOPERSTOWN – Sammy Dallas Bayes, a Tony Award nominee whose career as a director, choreographer and writer in musical theater, television and movies passed away unexpectedly early Thursday morning, May 12, 2022, at Bassett Medical Center in Cooperstown. He was 82.
Born July 9, 1939, in Wasco, California, Sammy was the son of Sam Tony Bayes and Zana Marie Frost Bayes. Raised in Pueblo, Colorado, he attended Centennial High School where he was part of his first ever musical, playing Tommy Albright in “Brigadoon.” After graduating in 1957 he attended college locally, and then from 1958 to 1964, Sammy proudly served his country in the United States Army both as active duty and the reserves.
SENIOR PLAY – 2 p.m. CCS Junior Senior class presents ‘Puffs’ about 7 increasingly eventful years at a certain school of magic and magic. Cost, $5 at the door. Cooperstown Central School. 607-547-8181 or visit www.cooperstowncs.org/article/682833?org=cooperstown-csd
THEATER – 3 p.m. The 2022 NEXT! Staged Readings of New Works by Regional Playwrights series continues with ‘Fall: The Tragedy of the Faerie Queen and Her Councillors’ by Joseph Scott, in which a premature autumn and unnatural twilight paralyze the enchanted forest and, as the denizens search for a solution, they realize the problems are as much from within as from without. Streaming free on Facebook. Presented by The Fenimore Art Museum, Cooperstown. 607-547-1400 or visit www.facebook.com/GlimmerGlobeTheatre/
THEATER – 3 p.m. Orhpeus Theater presents production of ‘Newsies Jr.’ Set in turn of the century NYC the play follows the tale of newsboy Jack Kelly and his teenage gang ‘newsies’ as they fight big publishing, stand up for what’s right, and ‘seize the day.’ Cost, $20/adult. Foothills Performing Arts Center, Oneonta. 607-432-1800 or visit www.facebook.com/OrpheusTheatre/
CONCERT – 7:30 p.m. The Oneonta Concert Association presents a performance of the Lysander Piano Trio who won the Concert Artists Guild Competition and has been praised for “incredible ensemble, passionate playing, articulate and imaginative ideas, and a wide palette of colours.” Tickets, $25/person. First United Methodist Church, 66 Chestnut St., Oneonta. 607-433-7252 or visit oneontaconcertassociation.org
THEATER – 3 p.m. Enjoy theatrical production of ‘Honk Jr.’ as presented by the Starstruck Players youth troop. Cost, $15/adult. Foothills Performing Arts Center, Oneonta. 607-432-1800 or visit www.facebook.com/OrpheusTheatre/
SNOW TUBING – 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. Get outside for some winter fun, gliding down a slope on a snow tube. Weather & staff dependent, call Friday for most up-to-date information. Glimmerglass State Park, 1527 Co. Rd. 51, Cooperstown. 607-547-8662 or visit www.facebook.com/GlimmerglassStatePark/
THEATER – 7:30 p.m. Enjoy theatrical production of ‘Honk Jr.’ as presented by the Starstruck Players youth troop. Cost, $15/adult. Foothills Performing Arts Center, Oneonta. 607-432-1800 or visit www.facebook.com/OrpheusTheatre/
SUNDAE RUN/WALK – 8 a.m. Support local community center and get outside for 5k, 10k run, or a 2 mile walk followed by opportunity to make your own ice cream sundae, 50/50 raffle, more. Cost, $25/person. Register the day of from 7 – 8 a.m. Richfield Springs Veterans Club, 13 Lake St., Richfield Springs. 315-858-3200 or visit runsignup.com/Race/NY/RichfieldSprings/RSCCRunWalk
VIRTUAL CONCERT – 4 p.m. Tune in for virtual performance of sacred songs from 1574 to 1655 performed by Oneonta Tenor Fred Chrislip, accompanying himself on the Lute. Performance for the Boston Early Music Festival which promotes historical musical performance. Visit BEMF Fringe Concerts channel on Youtube to view.
VIRTUAL CONCERT – 4 p.m. Tune in for virtual performance of sacred songs from 1574 to 1655 performed by Oneonta Tenor Fred Chrislip, accompanying himself on the Lute. Performance for the Boston Early Music Festival which promotes historical musical performance. Visit BEMF Fringe Concerts channel on Youtube to view.
JUNETEENTH – 3 – 8 p.m. Celebrate the 2nd annual Juneteenth, the celebration of the emancipation of the last enslaved people in the US, with food, live music, and art from a variety of local artists and authors. Neahwa Park, Oneonta. www.juneteenthoneonta.com
FIRE PIT FRIDAYS – 7 – 10 p.m. Get out and enjoy a fun night around the fire with friends, drinks and music. This week features The Beadle Brothers, performing today’s country music. Brewery Ommegang, 656 Co.Hwy. 33, Cooperstown. 607-280-2900 or visit www.ommegang.com/event/fire-pit-fridays-2021-2/
By MICHAEL FORSTER ROTHBART • Special to www.AllOTSEGO.com
ONEONTA — It has been a dark time for theater in Otsego County.
In 2020, the Glimmerglass Festival and Fenimore Art Museum each canceled its summer performance seasons because of the coronavirus pandemic.
In Oneonta, Foothills Performing Arts Center went 14 months without a live show, according to Operations Manager Geoff Doyle.
High schools and both Oneonta colleges experimented with streaming virtual theater, performed live without an audience. Local troupes such as the Catskill Puppet Theater and Orpheus Theatre cancelled shows, while Stuff of Dreams Productions pre-recorded performances for later broadcast.
This summer, stage by stage, the lights are back on and theaters are reopening — albeit with some modifications for COVID safety. Theaters have been operating at 33% capacity, with mask requirements in place, but that will change going forward, with an easing of most pandemic requirements from the state.
CHILDRENS CABARET – 7 p.m. ‘Sing Into Spring’ Childrens Cabaret free streaming event features current and past youth performers from Orpheus Theater. 607-432-1800 or visit www.facebook.com/OrpheusTheatre/
YULE BALL – 8 – 10 p.m. Dress up with your friends for Harry Potter themed ball featuring mocktails, food, games, some vendors. Admission, $5 with proceeds to support charity Reading is Fundamental. Ballroom, Hunt Union, SUNY Oneonta.