Nostalgia has a strong pull in times of uncertainty. Perhaps that’s why Neil Simon has been especially popular this theatrical season. His comedies seem familiar and fun, especially for theatergoers who witnessed his prolific stage and screenwriting career, which started in the 1960s. A longtime favorite of regional theater, Simon’s works have also recently been […]
Arts & Entertainment
Posted inTheater
In his second act, Mark Cuddy bets on Chekhov — and Rochester
Mark Cuddy was known as a hands-on artistic director during his nearly three decades at the helm of Geva Theatre. But he’s been giving new meaning to that reputation as the founder of his latest venture, The Classics Company, which arrived on the local theater scene with authority in January with a striking production of […]
Posted inArts & Entertainment
City to offer up $170,000 in grants for the arts
Now in its fourth year, ArtsBloom aims to fund small art projects that benefit the community as a whole.
Posted inTheater
REVIEW | “WICKED”
The now-Broadway classic, onstage at the West Herr Auditorium Theatre through March 1 as part of RBTL’s 2025-26 season, still soars and delights.
Posted inArts & Entertainment
Vision of Sound returns for four days of eclectic local music and dance
The Rochester City Ballet, a krumping university professor and ensemble musicians will gather this weekend for a unique festival. Vision of Sound, which pairs local composers and choreographers to perform new work together, returns for four shows of eclectic music and dance February 19-22. The shows will be staged at four local schools, including SUNY Brockport, Onondaga Community College in Syracuse, […]
Posted inArts & Entertainment
Rochester’s drag community is more than double entendres and dollar bills
The perception that drag equals sex sparked controversy this past summer when a drag bingo fundraiser planned to benefit The Child Advocacy Center of Greater Rochester was canceled due to widespread online backlash. Many commenters objected to a drag-themed fundraiser being tied to a child-welfare charity, arguing it made the event inappropriate or was misaligned […]
Posted inArts & Entertainment
Applications open February 17 for the 15th annual ESL Rochester Fringe Festival
Performers are invited to submit their shows through March 11 for the multidisciplinary fest, which takes place September 15-26.
Posted inTheater
REVIEW | ‘Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune’
Some plays focus on the larger-than-life: think Shakespeare’s kings, witches and battles. Other plays are mundane and true-to-life: think conversations about farts, radio requests and getting to know your coworkers. “Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune” is solidly in the second camp. Out of Pocket, Inc. lovingly stages this 1980s romantic comedy at […]
Posted inLiterature
Fanning the flames of romantasy in Rochester
As a young girl, Myla Rose kept a life-sized cardboard cutout of Legolas from ”The Lord of the Rings” in her bedroom. She spent hours reading fantasy novels or playing “RuneScape” on dial-up internet under his watchful gaze. These early obsessions grew into “Skyrim” marathons and Renaissance festival outings, cosplay and even fantasy “fae” balls. Threaded through […]
Posted inMusic
Pittsford grad Isa Antonetti, Eastman faculty and alumni take home Grammy Awards
Among this year’s winners at the 68th annual Grammy Awards on Sunday, February 1 were Pittsford-Mendon graduate Isa Antonetti and several Eastman School of Music faculty and alumni. Antonetti is the daughter of Victor Antonetti Jr. (a 2025 CITY Rochester Ten), and performed with her father’s Latin band, Orquesta Antonetti, as a teenager before graduating […]
Posted inSports
Rochester’s forgotten NFL heroes
Before the Bills. Before billion dollar stadiums. Before the NFL became a national obsession, Rochester was already rewriting the rules of football. On dusty sandlots and roaring high school fields, a visionary owner, a Haitian-born trailblazer and a city that loved the game more than college or pro teams laid the foundation for a sport […]
