Join us this August at The Arts Center 320 Broadway in downtown Saratoga for another season of entertaining Theatre honoring the 150th anniversary of America's Oldest Sporting Venue as The Creative Place International presents...
SARATOGA CHIPS
From the Discovery of Water to the Eradication of Crime in the Racing City
a new play with music
by Mary Jane Hansen
August 1,3,7,8,9,10 at 8 p.m. and August 4 & 11 at 2 p.m.
Water,Turf, Air & Fire. Add in some smoking hot oil and the almighty dollar and you have a story as old as anyone can remember, and a few new inventions along the way. The fundamental constituents of the universe hold sway in SARATOGA CHIPS, but a few man-made elements like currency & crime, celebrity & and scandal reign supreme. From the gambling houses to the springs, from the piazzas of the grand hotels to the Graveyard of Favorites, see what happens when historical characters collide in the town you thought you knew. Commodore Vanderbilt, Mark Twain, Ulysses S. Grant, Mrs. Grant, Madame Jumel, John Morrissey and Mrs. Morrissey and aeronaut Carlotta Meyers are just a few of the famous names that pass through SARATOGA CHIPS, an entertaining evening of history, comedy and music from Saratoga's Victorian era.
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The Creative Place International was selected by The League to contribute to the Thirty Plays 30 Years celebration with the reading of SWEETIE by Gail Kriegel at the Pershing Square Signature Center.The Diamond Stage was full to the brim with the talent of Natalie Wachen, Timothy Ware, Katy Blake, Rebecca Pitcher, LaQuet Sharnell, Bret Shuford, Melvin Brandon Logan, Justin Lonesome, Garett Hawe, Brandon Espinoza and Michael Mitchell.....all directed by Patricia Birch. CPI is grateful to Ms. Birch and all the performers, to Louis St. Louis, Joshua Quinn, Cindi Rush Casting, Ivy Austin, Mary Jane Hansen, Dennis Buck, Will Severin, Olga Delorey, Richard Snyder, Arlene Leff, Christine Saplin and the staff of the SIGNATURE and its Executive Director, Erika Mallin. Special thanks to the Board of Directors of the Creative Place.
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AMERICAN SOUP UPDATE
The Creative Place International (CPI), a newly formed non-profit organization dedicated to providing exciting cultural resources in Saratoga Springs, presented AMERICAN SOUP, a new play with music by Saratoga Playwright Mary Jane Hansen at The Arts Center in downtown Saratoga August 3-12, 2012 to enthusiastic audiences!
Saratoga-based charities benefited from all performances of AMERICAN SOUP, including the Maple Avenue Middle School Musical Club, The Kigali Medical University Foundation and The Creative Place International (CPI) programs for youth.
Picture on right: John McGuire as Andy Warhol in American Soup (photo copyright 2007, Timothy Raab)
Comments by audience members:
"Congratulations to Mary Jane Hansen and all of the wonderful talent that delighted the evening with a wonderful performance. Don't miss it!" - Adrianne M.
"...everyone has to see this...just awesome!!!" - Annie L.
"I don't even know where to start...I saw American Soup today at the Arts Center in Saratoga Springs. This play is an amazing, creative, and artistic production that is not for anybody....it's for EVERYONE!" - Tonya P.
"I've lived in Saratoga for almost 15 years, and never been so moved. Thanks again, and long live the arts!" - Graham G.
"If you are looking for some fun this weekend or next I highly recommend it!" - Kathleen S.
"American Soup was so awesome! I loved it!" - Annie D.
"Fun, entertaining, insightful and tons of talent. If you are looking for something to do next weekend, this show is for you!" - Karen L.
"I really enjoyed American Soup! What a fun way to portray how new events impacted the American Family. It was ingenious how stories of love, a family, Andy Warhol, and history were woven together and told with music and humor! Bravo!" - Lorrie L.
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CPI WORKSHOPS
CPI presents workshops for young playwrights and performers at the Museum of Dance. Master teachers for the 2011 sessions included Broadway director and choreographer Patricia Birch and Tony Award winner Ron Holgate.
Some comments by previous students on their experience:
“I liked working on a monologue and specific scenes—it was nice to channel our skills into specific presentations…”
“…when Pat Birch came in and we did the bus improvisation…”
“I liked making our own characters…and the master classes…”
“I liked writing the stories and then writing lines for the scenes…”
“I liked meeting new people and it was interesting to see what different things they brought to the workshop…”
“I learned a lot and it was sooo much fun!”
“I really like meeting the master teachers and having them talk with us…”
“I liked everything!”
THE CREATIVE PLACE INTERNATIONAL, INC.
P.O. Box 99
Saratoga Springs, NY 12866
For more information call: 518 584-7780