Josie Waverley’s new Connie Francis tribute show debuts in February
as Connie Francis.
OFC Creations (Opportunities For Creativity) has announced two world premiere musicals for the beginning of 2019. In January, OFC will be staging “Produce: The Musical,” a musical comedy written by Fairport author Carrie Bodell. In February, OFC will be producing Josie Waverly’s brand-new show “America’s Sweetheart of Song: A Tribute to Connie Francis.”
“Produce: The Musical,” on stage January 25 through 27, is a comedy about the ups and downs of a family-owned grocery store. When Freddy, the confident eldest child, returns from graduate school to take over the beloved family business, he promises his controlling, conservative father his undivided attention. His promise quickly dwindles as he becomes smitten with an attractive actress, secretly becoming her opposite in a local musical. When the family discovers the soon-to-be grocery store manager is singing and dancing through love in the produce aisle, chaos and hysterics ensue. A portion of the proceeds will go to Villa of Hope.
“Produce: The Musical” features a cast of 21 professional actors from the Rochester area led by Kyle Critelli as Freddy, Billy DeMetsenaere as his father Hank, Emily Beseau as his sister Johanna, and Barbara Martorana as his mother Vicki. The show is approximately two hours long featuring a score of original music. “Produce: The Musical” focuses on themes of acceptance, self-discovery, and being true to oneself and one’s family.
“America’s Sweetheart of Song: A Tribute to Connie Francis,” on stage February 8 through 17, is written by and stars Josie Waverly, of Hilton. Audiences will be whisked away in the memories of the 50s and 60s with Connie Francis, following a down-on-her luck music fan who just lost her most prized possession: her Connie Francis scrapbook. Audiences will experience the retelling of her memories as they come to life on stage. Featuring greatest hits including “Where the Boys Are,” “Stupid Cupid,” “Lipstick On Your Collar,” “Everybody’s Somebody’s Fool,” and many more.
“America’s Sweetheart of Song: A Tribute to Connie Francis” features a professional rock band, back up singers, and two lead performers. Josie Waverly, who was recently inducted into the New York State Country Music Hall of Fame, stars as Connie Francis. Waverly is well known in the area and across the east coast for her “My Gal Patsy” show featuring the music of Patsy Cline and “Queens of Pure Country” show featuring eight famous country singers. Marge Mattioli joins her on stage this February as the die-hard Connie Francis fan.
Both productions will be performed at the Bruce Legacy Theatre, 75 Stutson Street, Rochester, under the direction of Eric Vaughn Johnson. In 2018, Johnson directed the world premiere of “Two Tickets to Paradise: The Eddie Money Musical” at the Kodak Center starring the Money Man himself.
Performances of “Produce: The Musical” will be Friday and Saturday, January 25 and 26 at 7:30 p.m.; and Sunday, January 27 at 6 p.m. Tickets are $25 for VIPs and $10 for general admission.
Performances of “America’s Sweetheart of Song: A Tribute to Connie Francis” will be Friday and Saturday, February 8 and 9 at 7:30 p.m.; Sunday, February 10 at 2 p.m.; Thursday, Friday and Saturday, February 14, 15 and 16 at 7:30 p.m.; and Sunday, February 17 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $35 for VIPs and $25 for general admission.
Tickets for both shows are available online at www.OFCCreations.com, or in person at all area Wegmans. Call 667-0954 for information.
