International cabaret and concert performer, Steve Ross, brings his sophistication, humor and heartfelt ballads to Hudson Hall* on Sunday, March 30th at 7:00 pm for a celebration of the Great American Songbook: the music of the Gershwins, Cole Porter, Irving Berlin, Noël Coward and the songbook of the incomparable performer Fred Astaire. The evening opens with selections from Opera Ebony’s Gregory Sheppard and tenor John Philip, followed by jazz vocalist Stevie Holland, fresh from her one-woman off-Broadway show, Love, Linda: The Life of Mrs. Cole Porter, accompanied by Ira Coleman on bass and David Sytkowski on piano.
* What’s significant about Hudson Hall? It’s a newly renovated space of the original Hudson Opera House, which opened in 1885. Now launching as Hudson Hall at the Historic Hudson Opera House, click the link to see how the building looks now. Here are some facts about this special venue:
- First opened in 1855 and served as Hudson’s first city hall
- Is New York State’s oldest surviving theatre
- Held performances by poet Bret Harte
- Hosted Henry Ward Beecher for his rousing lecture about the abolition of slavery
- Invited Susan B. Anthony to lecture, the first time about abolishing slavery, the second time to rally support for women’s suffrage
- In 1914, hosted Teddy Roosevelt, who regaled the crowd with his adventures in Africa
- Is a Greek Revival structure designed by architect Peter Avery
- At various times, has also been a bank, a police station, post office and library
- Was abandoned between 1962 and 1992, when a committee of local citizens purchased it to give it new life as an exhibition and performing arts center
- For those who have dreamed in the past of a Hudson Opera House wedding, Hudson Hall is now available for rentals year-round
Hudson Hall now features:
- a flexible 300-seat theatre
- new heating, ventilation and cooling systems
- high-end performance equipment
- rehabilitated mezzanine, stage and support spaces
- an elevator as well as new electrical and fire systems
The Hudson Valley’s growing arts community also includes the Lumberyard space, taking shape in Catskill N.Y., which will host cultural events at Hudson Hall. The goal is to attract wide range of patrons, residents and visitors, who will regard the Hudson Valley as a cultural destination. Development of the $8.5-million restoration project is already generating economic gains through the employment of local tradespeople.
“We’re really excited that with the reopening of its magnificent theatre, Hudson Hall is poised to become a cultural beacon,” co-director Tambra Dillon says. “Residents and visitors will be able to gather year-round and enjoy a range of quality performances, concerts, exhibitions, workshops, community events and talks.”
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