Community Performance Series to Present 'Quilters,' the Musical

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Quilter Jill Josephs poses with one of the many quilts that she has created for “Quilters,” a CPS musical production showing from March 11 to 19 across the North Country.

POTSDAM, NY (02/26/2016)(readMedia)-- Community Performance Series, in partnership with the Crane Opera Ensemble and the SUNY Potsdam Department of Theatre and Dance, is currently in rehearsals for a production of the musical "Quilters," which is set to tour to four counties in the North Country from March 11 to 19.

This production celebrates the lives of seven pioneer women and tells their stories through the art of quilting. The production will feature original quilts designed by local stitchers Jill Josephs and Patricia Blickwedehl.

The performance schedule for the musical "Quilters" is as follows:

• Friday, March 11 at 7:30 p.m.: Performance at Pendragon Theatre, located at 15 Brandy Brook Ave., in Saranac Lake, N.Y. Tickets can be purchased from the venue or CPS.
• Saturday, March 12 at 7:30 p.m.: Performance at the Clayton Opera House, located at 405 Riverside Drive, Clayton, N.Y. Tickets can only be purchased directly from the venue or at www.claytonoperahouse.com.
• Sunday, March 13 at 2 p.m.: Matinee performance at the Lewis County Historical Society, located at 7552 South State St, Lowville, N.Y. Tickets can be purchased from the venue or CPS.
• Wednesday, March 16 to Saturday, March 19 at 7:30 p.m.: Daily performances in the Performing Arts Center at SUNY Potsdam. Tickets can be purchased at the CPS Box Office.

The musical "Quilters" pays tribute to the courage and spirit of our nation's pioneer woman. Ostensibly the story of a mother and her six daughters, "Quilters" uses the art of quilt making to blend a series of interrelated scenes into a rich mosaic that captures the darkness and beauty, the terror and joy, and the harsh challenge and abiding rewards of frontier life. In this story, there is love, warmth, rich and lively humor, and the moving spectacle of simple human dignity and steadfastness in the face of adversity.

The performance will feature 16 traditional pieced squares and a full size quilt created by local quilter Jill Josephs, with help from friend and fellow quilter Patricia Blickwedehl. Jill and Patty began working with the CPS creative team last August to design the quilts that are referenced in the script. The building of the quilts took place over the past five months, and were finished just in time for the start of rehearsals in January. Among the patterns that will be featured are the Tree of Life, Double Wedding Ring, Log Cabin, Lone Star and Crosses and Losses.

The performance is being directed by Dr. Carleen Graham, director of the Crane Opera Ensemble at SUNY Potsdam's Crane School of Music. The music director is Crane Professor Dr. Kirk Severtson, and "Quilters" is choreographed by Department of Theatre and Dance Instructor Jenna Del Monte. SUNY Potsdam students will serve as actors, musicians and technical crew.

As a way to further celebrate the art of quilting, the Traditional Arts of Upstate New York will display a portion of their Northern New York Quilt Project in the theatre lobbies prior to each performance. These events will be followed by the opening of a major quilt exhibit at the TAUNY Center, "Warmth, Remembrance and Art: 200 Years of Quilts and Comforters in Northern New York." The exhibit is set to open on April 2.

With the exception of the Clayton Opera House performance, tickets for all "Quilters" performances can be purchased from the CPS Box Office in-person at SUNY Potsdam's new Performing Arts Center, by calling (315) 267-2277, or by visiting www.cpspotsdam.org. Purchases can also be made in person at Brick & Mortar Music in downtown Potsdam.

Community Performance Series is a college-community partnership presenting world-class performing artists and arts education opportunities in Northern New York. This rich mixture of programming links communities, classrooms and audiences of all ages and preserves access to the performing arts for future generations. For more information, visit www.cpspotsdam.org.

Founded in 1816, The State University of New York at Potsdam is one of only three arts campuses in the entire SUNY system. SUNY Potsdam's arts curriculum offers the full palette: music, theatre, dance, fine arts and creative writing. No matter the discipline, people from all backgrounds can find their creative compass at Potsdam, with myriad arts immersion experiences available for both campus and community.

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