WPCNR STAGE DOOR. March 24,2010: Even though things are still a bit rocky for the overall economy, there’s a bright spot here in Westchester for White Plains-based regional theater company. Westco Productions is celebrating its 30th anniversary season. There will be a gala this Saturday, March 27 at the C. V. Rich Mansion (formerly The Woman’s Club) on Ridgeway Ave., in White Plains. There will be a cocktail hour, silent auction, buffet dinner, entertainment and dancing. Tickets may be obtained by calling 914-761-7463.
SUSIE THE K
Susan Katz, Founder, Westco Productions
Susan Katz, Executive Director of White Plains-based Westco Productions, says this is shaping up to be another successful season for Westco. “When you offer people value in entertainment, and present top quality programming close to home, they keep coming back. Our repeat audiences know they can expect to have a good time at a Westco concert or with the children at one of our family shows, and the experience won’t break the budget” Susan says.
Twenty-nine years ago, when Susan Katz founded a theater company to present shows for children at the Westchester County Center in cooperation with Westchester’s Department of Parks and Recreation, she dealt with the same problems as did any Broadway producer. The problems from back then are the problems of today, even though the overall state of the national economy is different. Can costs be kept within budget? How can we advertise to the potential audience? Where can we find dedicated actors and backstage personnel?
Answers came quickly, and the theater company which began by selling $1.50 tickets to musical versions of classic children’s stories became Westchester’s premiere non-profit production company for family shows, concerts, and theater workshops for children -- Westco Productions, Inc. In 2006, ArtsWestchester honored Westco as arts organization of the year.
White Plains Susan Katz was honored with her late father, Seymour “Sonny” Katz, entertainer, raconteur and humanitarian, receiving the crystal Cab Calloway Award in 2008.
As Executive Director of Westco, Susan works with the organization’s Board of Directors providing expertise in many areas of business, education, and the theater, in addition to setting policy for the company. It’s noteworthy that Westco long ago outgrew the desk in an apartment foyer which once served as its headquarters, and now maintains an office and rehearsal studio at ArtsWestchester Arts Exchange Building on Mamaroneck Avenue in downtown White Plains.
Westco performs at various theaters in Westchester, including the Rochambeau Theater in White Plains, the Irvington Town Hall Theater, and The Westchester Broadway Theater in Elmsford.
Many theater companies have come and gone in Westchester during the past 30 years, while Westco has had a solid run due to the dedication of its artistic, technical and management personnel. The organization is fortunate to receive support from numerous regular funding sources for a host of community service programs.
Westco’s mission as a not-for-profit IRS 501 (3) (c) organization is to provide a full range of arts activities/programs including but not limited to theatrical and musical presentations, workshops, and outreach programs. Special emphasis is given to productions for children and families.
In addition, Westco continues to provide numerous community-based workshops and an expansive hospital touring program. Primary program activities include the presentation of musical adaptations of children's classic literature, folktales and legends, as well as their Gold Star Concert Series.
Westco has been a pioneer in introducing children and adults with special needs to the performing arts. The Magic To Do Players is its theater workshop for special needs individuals, such as persons with autism, Down Syndrome and other disabilities.
Ms. Judy Collins appeared in Jim Benerofe’s honor in Westchester for the first time in years thanks to Westco Productions – Westchester’s most successful children’s theatre company which through a steady stream of Gold Star Concerts have become known and respected by the top recording star agents in the music business as alway putting on a terrific venue that sells out. Photo, WPCNR News
Westco has presented more than 2,600 performances of more than 270 different shows, ranging from fully-staged Broadway musicals, comedies, dramas, and Shakespeare, to perennial family favorites such as “Frosty the Snowman.” Westco has presented artists such as Judy Collins, Arlo Guthrie, Ronnie Spector, The Marshall Tucker Band, The Loving Spoonful, The 5th Dimension, Jay & The Americans, The Kingston Trio, The Rascals, The Lettermen, The Association, Gary Puckett and others in its Gold Star Concerts series. Approximately 40,000 people attend a Westco show or concert during a typical year.
2007 Sonny Katz Scholarship honorees, Kirsten Smayda (far left) and Helen Hess (far right) of White Plains presented the awards to Ms. Deborah Villalba of WPHS 2008 , second from left, and Ms. Michelle Altmann, of Port Chester High School 2008 (second from right). "The First Lady of White Plains Theatre," Susan Katz, center, presides.
Funds earned through shows and concerts are combined with tax-deductible contributions to make possible community service activities which have included over the past 29 years: entertaining more than 100,000 children in hospitals and critical care facilities, at no charge to the institutions or children; inviting more than 20,000 at-risk children from federally-funded Head Start agencies and Title I Elementary Schools to attend Westco’s shows at no charge; providing literacy-based performing arts programs for more than 1,000 children from low income families; creating colorful murals on the walls of hospitals and critical care facilities through the Healing Walls program; awarding Sonny Katz Scholarship Fund scholarships to college-bound students majoring in the performing arts. Some participants in Westco’s workshops and shows have gone on to successful Broadway and Hollywood careers.
Westco utilizes professional artistic and technical personnel. It’s estimated that Westco has provided work opportunities involving 3,200 roles for actors, 1,700 positions for musicians, and 1,350 positions for directors, choreographers, costume and scenic designers, and technicians during the previous 29 years.
In recent years, Westco has commissioned original shows dealing with significant issues such as the environment. Westco holds the copyrights to more than two dozen shows. This Garbage Isn’t Garbage, which will be presented during the new season, introduces young children to recycling. Rockin’ In The Rainforest provided a study of rainforest preservation, as the animals work together to save their territory from destruction by the ruthless Captain Cuttree. Westco’s original musical The Littlest Pilgrims has become a Thanksgiving tradition for many school groups as the actors explore what it was like to leave home for a new world.
Other shows on the 2009-2010 schedule include: Beauty & The Beast; Frosty The Snowman; Harry The Dirty Dog; Roald Dahl’s Willy Wonka; and, Comin’ To America. The 2009-2010 concert schedule includes: Arlo Guthrie; The Marshall Tucker Band; Johnny Winter; Judy Collins; Jay Siegel’s Tokens; Earl Lewis and The Channels; Larry Chance and The Earls; and, Ronnie Spector.
For information or to purchase tickets for a Westco show, concert, or the anniversary gala, call (914) 761-7463 or visit their w
