A Theatre for the People
By Kelly Jo Stone
You know the feeling—the anticipation and excitement as you dress up for a night at the theatre. Walking into another world, we always have an expectation that rarely encompasses the actual theatre experience.
Everyone remembers feeling awed by a stage set that brings another world to life. The right set immediately immerses us in the story, enhancing or diminishing our experience. Imagine a theatre where every seat offers an unobstructed view, the sets feel enchanting, and the actors are so skilled that audiences become completely absorbed in the show.
Welcome to Blackfriars Theatre, known for excellent sets, superb local cast members, and no bad seats. It is a theatre that is managed, staffed, performed by, and supported by the people of Rochester.
Perhaps a disclaimer here. If nothing else, it will temper your expectations of the article you are about to read. I am not a theatre critic; my degree in criminal justice is not the education needed to be one. I do, however, know what I like. Okay, ‘like’ is too soft because I LOVE Blackfriars Theatre. My husband and I have attended several shows there. The first one was The Mousetrap, a play by Agatha Christie. Then there was The Noteworthy Life of Howard Barnes, a musical in which the main character wakes to find himself living in a musical. I’m not going to go into a lot of detail; however, I would like to say that this musical warned of puppet violence. We thought that it was a reference we didn’t understand, but nope, it was actually puppet violence. It’s been a year, and we are still randomly laughing over the clever, completely original puppet character performed by Brynn Tyszka. I had the opportunity to chat with Brynn, the Artistic Director at Blackfriars Theatre, after the New Year’s Eve Musical Mayhem show.
When asked what she would want people to know about Blackfriars, she said,“I would want them to know that we really are a community theatre. We cast locally; we also use local suppliers, workforce, and volunteers. This is a place to come and express yourself. It’s also a place for people like me who need a place to explore our art but want to do it in a setting where family and community matter. We are a not-for-profit that relies on support from the community, and we try to give back as much as we can.”
I loved what Brynn had to say, but beyond her words was the simple fact that I approached her after the first show of a stressful two-show New Year’s Eve. She went from performer to Artistic Director, checking emails and working in the office, and without pause, took the time to chat with me. All of this was done with a gracious smile.
I suppose that is the main thing I love about Blackfriars; beyond the wonderful performances, the amazing sets, and the incredible talent is the sense of welcome. It does not matter who you are or what your economic, cultural, or religious background is; every person is treated as important.
My husband and I have attended murder mysteries, period productions, and musicals at the theatre, and each visit has provided enjoyment and lasting satisfaction. I am consistently impressed by the remarkable talent within Rochester. The New Year’s Eve Musical Mayhem show featured six local artists who entertained the audience with an hour of musical roulette. In the first act, the performers included Lyndsey Lord, Jade Hill, Brynn Tyszka, Max Ruscio, Hector Manuel, and (filling in for an ill cast member) Mary Tiballi Hoffman, the Executive Director.
Each cast member sang a song of their choice, except Mary, who saved her humor and talent for the second act. The advertisement said, ‘show-stopping signature numbers,’ and they were not exaggerating. With a live band backing them, the five singers performed songs ranging from Max Ruscio’s upbeat, ‘I Love Betsy’ from Honeymoon in Vegas, to Jade Hill’s sentimental rendition of ‘Astonishing’ from Little Women. Each performance was breathtaking in its range and passion.
During act two, the performers, including Mary, were randomly chosen by audience members to perform a duet. It was challenging because all the performers had to learn all the songs, even though they did not know which ones they would actually be performing. Mary, who is the Executive Director and a talent all on her own, led off the duets with a bang. Her charm and sense of humor were as evident as her talent. She has the ability to draw you in and create a feeling of intimacy, as if she is chatting just with you rather than an entire audience, which makes her an incredible director.
We were seated next to Lyndsey Lord’s neighbor, who shared insights into her passion for music. “She loves to sing; it’s always a special moment when we get to listen to her sing. Everyone that knows her knows she was truly meant to be on stage.”
I specifically mentioned two songs from the first half of the show because they made me feel sentimental in a way that stuck with me. I spoke to Max during intermission, and he said, “This is the first time I have performed in the Musical Mayhem, and I think I did well. It was fun; we had to learn a lot of songs, but it was a challenge I really enjoyed.”
I spoke to all the performers, and while I did not quote them, it is not because they are not quotable; rather, it is due to article length. I will mention that Hector Manuel was extremely excited to be involved in the choreography of the upcoming show, Parade. Every person smiled with pleasant patience, which is not always easy when someone sticks a recorder in your face and starts asking questions, especially when all you really want to do is eat cheese and bask in your accomplishments. I reiterate that I love the kindness and generosity of the staff, volunteers, and performers.
The experience highlighted for me how the theatre fosters a sense of community investment, underscoring its status as a genuine local institution. Each visit leaves me deeply appreciative of the breadth and depth of talent found in our extended community, including not only the performers but also choreographers, set designers, builders, and musicians. It is unfortunate that many people remain unaware of the theatre’s existence.
So, if you have never been and want the best seat and the most amazing experience at an outstanding theatre, call 585-454-1260 or visit www.blackfriars.org to grab a couple of tickets. Box Office hours are 12 to 4 p.m., Tuesday through Friday, and one hour prior to curtain times.
You still have time to see The Grown-Ups, which runs January 29 through February 8. To see what’s up next, visit their website.
The Theatre is located at 795 East Main Street, Rochester, and there is a parking lot on the premises.
Enjoy the show; you can thank me later.
To Support Blackfriars Theatre
Ticket sales alone are not enough to sustain Blackfriars Theatre – donations are vital to its survival, growth, and mission to enrich, entertain, and inspire the community through exceptional theatre while engaging local artists. Gifts allow Blackfriars to tell stories that invigorate, inspire, move you to laughter and sometimes to tears, and create connection with audiences, artists, and the greater Rochester community. Visit www.blackfriars.org for information or to donate.
Photos courtesy of Ron Heerkens of Goat Factory Media.
