New York State recently announced live public theater events can reopen starting April 2, 2021, for audiences to attend with safety measures in place. OFC Creations Theatre Center will be one of the first Rochester theaters to launch in-person performances to high demand.
OFC Creations Theatre Center officially reopened in July 2020 for summer camp programs. OFC took over the new space at 3450 Winton Place, in April and spent the initial lockdown fully renovating the 11,000 square foot performing arts center from floor to ceiling, including 260 brand-new fixed theater seats.
Since launching with summer camps in July and afterschool arts programs for kids in the fall and winter, OFC has had over 1,700 students learning musical theater and putting on shows with no issues related to COVID-19. “We know there is a safe way to continue with the arts,” says Eric Vaughn Johnson, Executive Director.
From April 9 to May 8, OFC Creations Theatre Center will begin live in-person professional theater performances. All events will be limited to 100 attendees with social distancing between parties. Hand sanitizer stations are positioned throughout center which is HEPA filtrated, and masks are currently required except while eating or drinking. Attendees will have at least four seats between them and another party, and when possible, will receive their own row in the center. Food/bar service will be brought to attendees’ seats to limit congestion at the bar. The center will be thoroughly cleaned and before and after each event. If reserved seating is required, assigned seats will be given to audiences upon arrival.
Productions included in the opening series are:
•Love Letters – Friday, April 9, at 7:30 p.m.
Diane Chevron and Allan O’Grady Cuseo star as Andrew Makepeace Ladd III and Melissa Gardner. Their characters, both born to wealth and position, are childhood friends whose lifelong correspondence begins with birthday party thank-you notes and summer camp postcards.
•Rocket Man Musical Brunch – Sunday, April 11, at 10 a.m. and Sunday, April 11, at 11:45 a.m.
Jason Ostrowski brings his world-renowned Sir Elton John tribute show to Rochester. Ticket price includes brunch from Tasteful Connections – breakfast sandwich, potatoes, muffins, and bottomless coffee. The bar will be open for mimosas and drinks for an additional charge.
•The Fantasticks: The Musical – Friday and Saturday, April 23 and 24, at 7:30 p.m., and Sunday, April 25, at 2 p.m.
Directed by Judith A. Ranaletta and Tom Giancursio, The Fantasticks is a funny and romantic musical about a boy, a girl, and their two fathers who try to keep them apart. Starring a professional cast of adult actors: David Doumeng, Jessie Keim, Kyle Critelli, Peter Elliott, Don Sheffrin, David Runzo, Josiah Lloyd, and Alex Antonetti
•Frank’s Rat Pack – Friday, May 7, at 7:30 p.m.
Audiences will relive the classics made popular by Frank Sinatra, Judy Garland, Dean Martin, Peggy Lee, Jimmy Durante, Tony Bennett, Louis Armstrong, and many more. Frank’s Rat Pack, which features Frank Torchio and a live band, reprises the songs and performances of the great nightclub acts of 50s and 60s with singing and comic impressions.
•Miss Richfield 1981: 40 Years on the Throne – Saturday, May 8, at 8 p.m.
Audiences will celebrate four decades of professional beauty with Miss Richfield 1981 in her all-new show, “40 Years on the Throne.” Hear the true-life story of how Miss R won her beauty title and clawed her way to the middle to become a suburban ambassadoress of Richfield, Minnesota. Miss Richfield 1981 is a drag queen legend, and this will mark the third year OFC has brought her into Rochester.
All shows have three options on ticket pricing. General Admission is the normal cost for tickets to attend the show live in-person. The Theater Supporter and Theater Hero tickets are higher priced, but the extra cost helps keep OFC’s lights on while at such a reduced capacity.
Tickets can be purchased online at www.OFCCreations.com or by calling 585-667-0954.
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