When a Jewish child and a black maid bond during the waning days of Jim Crow in St. Charles, Louisiana, musical magic ensues. Even the washing machines and dryers sing like archangels!
So you can imagine the width and breadth of the tunes’ genres in “Caroline, or Change,” the unconventional musical by Tony Kushner and Jeanine Tesori now playing at Syracuse Stage, 820 East Genesee St.
“We play everything from Cajun to klezmer,” said Syracuse Area Music Award-winning fiddler Diamond Joe Davoli, a member of the play’s 10-piece pit band.
The all-star orchestra is led by the show’s musical director, keyboardist Christopher Drobny, and features cellist Walden Bass, guitarist/mandolinist Tom Bronzetti, reedman Joe Carello, fiddler Joe Davoli, percussionist Josh Dekaney, reedman Frank Grosso, violinist Sara Mastrangelo and bassist Darryl Pugh.
Directed and choreographed by Marcela Lorca with musical direction by Christopher Drobny, “Caroline, or Change” earned six Tony nominations in 2004 and won the Olivier Award for Best Musical in 2007.
The Syracuse Stage cast is led by Greta Oglesby as Caroline and also features Michelle Barber, Larry Block and Danielle Thomas, who plays the Washing Machine. Yes, the Washing Machine sings in this show!
Performances are scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 2; 8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 3; 3 and 8 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 4; 2 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 5; 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 9; and runs through Feb. 26.
Ticket prices range from $18 to $50; 443-3275; SyracuseStage.org.
Brews news
How about those newfangled table taps at the Saltine Warrior Sports Bar? The downtown beer bistro features a draft system that allows you to share a mini-keg at a table with friends. And the Warrior also offers Arrogant Bastard on tap. Find the Saltine Warrior at 214 W. Water St., just west of Clinton Square; 314-7740.
…The world-famous Dinosaur Bar-B-Que now serves a Smoked Porter concocted by Syracuse’s own Middle Ages Brewing Co. If you’re driving, though, be sure to drink moderately. This porter packs a punch at five percent alcohol. The Dino is at 246 W. Willow St., at the corner of South Franklin; 476-4937.
…Blues Brunch continues every Sunday at Empire Brewing Co., 120 Walton St. in Armory Square. The new Empire Cream Ale (brewed in Brooklyn) nicely complements the spicy Tex-Mex breakfast fare. Los Blancos performs from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 19, and the Super Delinquents take over on Feb. 26; 475-BEER; empirebrew.com.
Whiskey, wine and song!
Al’s Wine & Whiskey Lounge is one of the city’s classiest watering holes. The atmosphere heats up when the Donna Alford Jass Band takes the stage at 9:30 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 19. Al’s, which used to be called Awful Al’s, is at 321 S. Clinton St., just a stone’s throw from Armory Square, downtown. The Tim Herron Corporation sings the “CIA Blues” at Al’s at 10 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 23; 703-4773; alswineandwhiskey.com/.
Catch up with Joanne
In case you missed the recent interview with Oneida Nation songstress Joanne Shenandoah on WAER-FM’s “Common Threads,” here’s a link that will take you to the station’s list of online interviews: waer.org/musicent.html.
“People will be able to hear her wonderful new song, ‘We Will Rise Up,’ performed a cappella, live in the studio,” said “Common Threads” host Larry Hoyt.
“Common Threads” airs from noon to 3 p.m. every Sunday on WAER-FM 88.3.
North Side snapshots
Anyone living or working in the Hawley-Green area or other North Side neighborhoods is invited to document the surroundings with photography. ArtRage Gallery begins its Community Photography Project with informational meetings at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 19, and at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 22, at the gallery at 505 Hawley Ave.
“We’re asking people to photograph ‘your community, your family, your story,’” said Kimberley McCoy, ArtRage’s community engagement organizer. Photography workshops and photo review sessions will continue on Saturday afternoons in March and April.
The project will culminate in an exhibition called “In Our View,” to open at ArtRage on June 9 with a public reception.
“Community members don’t need to own a camera to be part of this project,” McCoy said. “Everyone who participates will have at least one photograph displayed in the exhibit.”
All participants will be entered into a drawing for a $100 gift certificate to Ra-Lin. For info, call 218-5711, or email [email protected].
Free tix for Brecker six
Brilliant brassman Randy Brecker brings his sextet to Onondaga Community College’s Storer Auditorium at 8 p.m. Friday, March 2. Admission is free, but tickets must be obtained in advance.
Tickets become available at 10 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 18, at Sound Garden, 310 W. Jefferson St., in downtown’s Armory Square. Sound Garden is the exclusive box office for the Arts Across Campus Legends of Jazz Series.
The free ducats will be limited to two per customer and will be issued on a first-come, first-served basis while supplies last.
For info, call Sound Garden at 473-4343; and OCC at 498-ARTS (2787).
