🎭️ Raising the curtain on theREP's new season

In partnership with

Happy Thursday, Capital District! Today, we’re taking you to the Capital Repertory Theatre as the new season kicks off this week. Plus, get your guide to a packed weekend of events, leading off with PearlPalooza.

—Phat X. Chiem & Karley Sullivan

Capital Repertory Theatre raises the curtain on its new season

Under the artistic direction of Maggie Mancinelli-Cahill, Albany’s Capital Repertory Theatre kicked off its 2024-25 season this week. The new slate of shows offers something for everyone—comedy, drama, music and holiday magic. 

theREP ended its last season on a high note with record-breaking attendance and revenue for “Beautiful: The Carole King Musical.” More than 12,000 patrons made it out to see the show during its five-week run. Many had never been to the venue before (including yours truly), nor had seen it since a $14 million renovation finished in 2021.

“After Covid, a lot of people go out of the habit of going to the theater,” Mancinelli-Cahill tells The 518. “‘Beautiful’ brought these people back and also brought in folks who had never seen the new theater.”

Mancinelli-Cahill directed the Carol King musical and attributes its enormous success to a talented cast and crew, and music that resonates through the generations. She’s hoping this new season will delight just as many people—or more.

Here’s a look into what’s coming to the stage:

“Seared”

Kicking off the season is "Seared," a play that dives into the culinary world with a temperamental, artistic chef at its core. The story explores the tension between maintaining artistic integrity and achieving commercial success, a theme that resonates deeply with anyone who has faced the challenge of balancing passion and practicality. This production even features real cooking on stage, adding a unique sensory element to the theatrical experience.

“Sherlock Carol”

This is a clever mash-up of Sherlock Holmes and Charles Dickens' classic, "A Christmas Carol." In this imaginative re-telling, Sherlock Holmes becomes the focal point, visited by the ghost of Ebenezer Scrooge. The play ingeniously combines elements from the works of Conan Doyle and Dickens, creating a whodunit with a festive holiday twist.

“The Lehman Trilogy”

Next on the lineup is "The Lehman Trilogy," a dramatic and captivating story tracing the rise and fall of the Lehman Brothers. Starting as Jewish immigrants running a general store in Alabama, the brothers’ journey to becoming financial titans is a classic American tale. Their eventual downfall in 2008 marks a pivotal moment in US history, making this play not just a family saga but a reflection on the American dream and its complexities.

“Once”

The season’s only musical, "Once" brings together a fusion of Irish and Eastern European songs in a story of love, dreams, and the power of music. Unique to this production, the actors also serve as the musicians, playing their instruments live on stage. The show, based on the beloved movie, delivers a deeply emotional and authentic theatrical experience that sets it apart from its cinematic counterpart.

“Rosie is Red, and Everyone is Blue”

Rounding out the season is the Next Act New Play Summit winner, "Rosie is Red, and Everyone is Blue." This heartwarming family comedy revolves around a mother navigating the chaos of life with her son and brother-in-law, who have both moved back into her home. With relatable themes of family, financial strain, and love, this play offers a touching and humorous glimpse into the challenges of modern life.

Whether you're a fan of mystery, music, drama or comedy, there’s at least one play this season that will make a visit to theREP more than worthwhile. Btw, the best way to save on tickets is to sign up for a subscription series—on sale now!

🌞 WEATHER WATCH

A word from our sponsor

Receive Honest News Today

Join over 4 million Americans who start their day with 1440 – your daily digest for unbiased, fact-centric news. From politics to sports, we cover it all by analyzing over 100 sources. Our concise, 5-minute read lands in your inbox each morning at no cost. Experience news without the noise; let 1440 help you make up your own mind. Sign up now and invite your friends and family to be part of the informed.

Sign up today!

👮🏾‍♂️ Police Chief Eric Hawkins, Albany’s longest running chief in four decades, has announced his departure. He’s accepted a position in his native Michigan, but will stay on for some weeks to help plan the transition. Mayor Kathy Sheehan said Hawkins leaves behind “an incredible legacy.” [WAMC]

💼 Governmental jobs were once highly desired for the stability they offered, but times have changed. The Times Union reports that NYS hopes to remedy its glaring staff shortages with 10 new Centers for Careers in Government where job seekers can get help finding employment with state and local agencies. Meanwhile, check out the thousands of open positions here.

🍅 Bargain Grocery, a nonprofit grocery store dedicated to combating food insecurity, is opening its highly anticipated 2nd location in Troy. The store offers healthy food at prices that are expected to be 30% lower than big box stores. Doors officially open on Friday at 10 am. [News10]

⭐️ This weekend’s headlining event is PearlPalooza in Albany on Saturday. Thousands of people are expected for the 15th annual street festival featuring tons of food and vendor booths, and a rockin’ music stage. Don’t miss YogaPalooza at 11 am. Free, 11a-7p.

⭐️ New York State International Film Festival (NYSIFF) features hundreds of indie short films from around the globe, plus insightful Q&A discussions. Fri-Sat, 6-10p, $25-$35, The Linda.

⭐️ Meshell Ndegeocello is a quiet storm whose emotive-intellectual depth and raw rhythmic talent are remarkable. The Grammy winner is always a pleasure and always on point. If you love music with heart, this show is not to be missed. Sat, 8p, $35-45, The Egg.

⭐️ The Albany Book Festival draws thousands of book lovers from across the Capital Region and beyond for an intellectually stimulating and dynamic daylong event featuring bestselling authors, panel discussions, book signings, online workshops for aspiring writers, and areas dedicated to young-adult and children's books. Sat, 10:30a-5p, free, UAlbany’s uptown campus.

⭐️ Farm Aid 2024 brings musical legends Willie Nelson, Neil Young, John Mellencamp, Dave Matthews and more to SPAC’s Broadview Stage. The Times Union has everything you need to know about the concert extravaganza. Gates open at noon Sat.

🍁 MORE NOTABLE EVENTS

TODAY

🎈The 51st Adirondack Balloon Festival returns to Warren County. Opening ceremonies begin tonight at Crandall Park in Glens Falls with an evening launch. The festival goes through the weekend. Free.

FRIDAY

🍺 Opalka Gallery Popup Beer Garden Series | 6-9p, free. The last week of Opalka’s hugely popular Friday night series features a maker’s market, plus performances by The Parlor and Amanda Case.

🎨 Art Night Schenectady showcases the work of 50+ musical and visual artists showing across a dozen venues in downtown Schenectady, with a reception at Armory Studios NY. 5-8:30p, free.

SATURDAY

🩸 Suspiria with Live Score By Apostrophebeats Orchestra | Get your thrills with Italian master of horror Dario Argento’s dance coven masterpiece. 7-11p, $7.94. No Fun.

📜 Trade Days in Rensselaer celebrates Crailo's centennial anniversary of becoming a NYS historic site with 17th and 18th century reenactors, performers, games, crafts and vendors. Sat & Sun, free.

🖼️ Openbaar Market features 55+ makers, artists and local food vendors, all in one sunny location at 946 Broadway in Albany. 11a-5p, free.

🍁 The Harvest Festival in Half Moon Town Park is a family-friendly affair with a petting zoo, bounce houses, crafts and plenty of food. Fri-Sun (festival is on Sat, 12-4p), free.

🍎 The Harvest and Wine Festival at Altamont Fairgrounds includes a tasting area for wine, spirits, and hard cider for just $8. General admission to the entire festival is $10. Sat & Sun.

🎉 The Reverse Rett Upstate New York Fall Festival in Troy raises money for Rett syndrome, a rare neurological disorder. Expect bands, food trucks and kid-friendly fun. 11a-5p, free.

SUNDAY

🧚 Free Family Fun Day at the Albany Institute of History and Art features a packed day of activities inspired by by the exhibition Enchanting Threads: The Art of Salley Mavor. Plus, the Utica Zoo Mobile will be visiting! If you have not seen the very delightful work of Salley Mavor, here’s your chance to see it for free. 12-4p.

🦎 Capital District Reptile Expo features hands-on learning and hundreds of exotic pets (reptiles, amphibians, small mammals, invertebrates). Sun, 10a-4p, $11.50 for general admission. Albany Capital Center.

🥁 LIVE MUSIC & MORE

🦫 ADVERTISE WITH CAPPIE

Meet Cappie (short for Capital), The 518’s new mascot. Cappie wants to promote YOUR business and he’s willing to do it at super reasonable rates. HMU, he says! Contact [email protected]