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Broadway Show Performs at Fundraiser for The Syracuse Arts Broadway Show Performs at Local Fundraiser for The Syracuse Arts

By Adam Pankowski

ADAM PANKOWSKI: Jonathan Gorst is finally back to doing what he knows best, directing theatre. The director of the Broadway national touring show “CATS” says it’s great to be back on the road performing for local communities.

JONATHAN GORST: We were the first uh national tour to uh begin from scratch, actually rehearsing a show and putting it out on the road after the pandemic.

PANKOWSKI: His latest show is here in Baldwinsville at the Mohegan Manor where the owner is trying to refill the seats that were left empty during the pandemic. When COVID hit, the arts were lost. But, as we move forward, it takes local businesses like Mohegan Manor and national Broadway touring shows like “CATS” to come together to support the local arts and music. “CATS” is one of the most famous shows on Broadway. They feel as if it’s their mission to use their platform to help the local music and arts industry in any way possible.

GORST: We try to bring back the arts in general.

PANKOWSKI: As the show travels across the country, they look for various local businesses that are willing to let them perform fundraising events.
The Mohegan Manor in Baldwinsville has had their issues themselves during the pandemic but the owner realized his historic ballroom would be perfect for the performance.

DENNIS SICK: I’ve always been a supporter of the arts.

PANKOWSKI: Dennis Sick donated his building space and nightly restaurant revenue on Monday so that “CATS” could raise money for CNY Jazz Central.
This organization has created a place for local performers of all skill levels to show off their talents for a minimal fee. Executive director of CNY Jazz Central Larry Luttinger believes local arts matter, and without funding, all arts won’t come back.

LARRY LUTTINGER: If it weren’t for the local arts, there would be no arts at the national level.

PANKOWSKI: All of the ticket sales, raffle entries and general donations will go toward their event planning and operation expenses. Luttinger says this event will help his organization get back on their feet after some rough years.

LUTTINGER: Inflation being what it is, uh our annual overhead, our day-to-day costs for just existing in our building are skyrocketing. So, this is coming along at a very important, a very crucial time for our organization.

PANKOWSKI: A member of “CATS” and a Westhill High School graduate Dominic Fortunato started at places like CNY Jazz Central before getting to Broadway. Fortunato knows his show’s impact on local performers and says giving back to his community means the world to him.

DOMINIC FORTUNATO: To book this job and be back to working, performing, traveling across the country, and to bring it all back is really incredible.

PANKOWSKI: Although this was a one-night event, Sick says he’s open to showcasing more performances and would like to see more national shows come to the area to help the local arts cause.

SICK: I’d love to see more emphasis on more theatre, more off off Broadway theatres in uh Central New York.

PANKOWSKI: Theatre isn’t for everyone but it’s just like any other escape from your daily life that you already do. Gorst believes once you give it a try, you’ll be hooked on it, and in turn, you’ll be supporting the arts without even knowing it.

GORST: You’re taking in an experience. So, I think that’s that’s something that could open the door to many things exploring the music and art world.

PANKOWSKI: Reporting from Baldwinsville, Adam Pankowski, NCC News.

Baldwinsville, N.Y. (NCC News)- Jonathan Gorst is back directing music after some time off. The director of the national touring Broadway show “CATS” says the pandemic has put a halt to most musical arts, but they’re back on the road trying to help any way possible.

“We were the first national tour to begin from scratch, actually rehearsing a show and putting it out on the road after the pandemic,” Gorst said. “We try to bring back the arts in general.”

Like other industries during the pandemic, music and the arts were lost. Now, this national show is spreading awareness by playing shows all across the country that fundraise money for the arts in that specific local community. The cast sings their favorite songs from the “CATS” musical as well as other Broadway shows.

This past week, their show was in Baldwinsville at the Mohegan Manor’s historic ball room. Owner of the Mohegan Manor Dennis Sick says that he has ran fundraiser events like this in the past and that he hopes this show will make other touring shows come support the Central New York area

“I’ve always been a supporter of the arts,” Sick said. “I’d love to see more emphasis on more theatre, more off off Broadway theatres in uh Central New York.”

All the proceeds went toward CNY Jazz Central. CNY Jazz Central is an organization that allows local musicians of any skill set to use their resources and stage in downtown Syracuse to help boost their aspiring careers. Executive Director of CNY Jazz Central Larry Luttinger says that everyone in big shows start local and that the organization needed this so that the next generation of talent can get their equal opportunity as well.

“If it weren’t for the local arts, there would be no arts at the national level,” Luttinger said. “Inflation being what it is, our annual overhead, our day-to-day costs for just existing in our building are skyrocketing. So, this is coming along at a very important, a very crucial time for our organization.”

All of the donations, ticket sales, raffle tickets and other fundraising options went toward their operation costs, planning of future events and expanding the resources that need to be upgraded.

Speaking of local talent, one of the “CATS” members started his career in Syracuse. Westhill High School graduate Dominic Fortunato says being able to help out the community that got him to where he is today was humbling and it brought him full circle.

“To book this job and be back to working, performing, traveling across the country, and to bring it all back is really incredible,” Fortunato said.

Although this was a one night event, it sets the stage form many other musical theatre events that may come through the area. Musical theatre isn’t for everyone but it’s an experience that is just like any other get away from everyday life. Taking a chance and coming to an event like this could open your eyes to exploring the musical and arts world while supporting this sector of life without even knowing it.

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