Syracuse Stage participates in nationwide ‘Free Night of Theatre’ Oct. 16; patrons can see ‘Tales from the Salt City’

Syracuse Stage participates in nationwide ‘Free Night of Theatre’ Oct. 16; patrons can see ‘Tales from the Salt City’October 02, 2008Patrick Finlonstagepr@syr.edu

On Thursday, Oct. 16, Syracuse Stage will join 600 theaters nationwide for Theatre Communications Group’s “Free Night of Theatre 2008,” giving theater-goers across the nation the opportunity to attend live theater completely free of charge. Patrons will have the opportunity to see “Tales from the Salt City” at 7:30 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 16, at Syracuse Stage, 820 E. Genesee St.

Tickets are required and may be obtained by visiting http://www.freenightoftheatre.org beginning at 8 a.m. on Friday, Oct. 3. Tickets are limited to two per person and are expected to go fast.

“Free Night of Theatre” was introduced in 2005 as a three-city pilot program with the aim of attracting new audiences and raising awareness of America’s nonprofit, professional theaters. The program has been extremely successful and this season added theaters throughout New York State.

“Syracuse Stage is extremely pleased to be joining the program this season,” says Jeffrey Woodward, managing director. “This effort has been very effective in attracting new and diverse audiences, and studies indicate that once these individuals are introduced to our theaters, they come back.”

“Free Night of Theatre” audiences at Syracuse Stage will have the opportunity to see “Tales from the Salt City,” a world premiere work conceived and directed by Ping Chong. The production features seven residents of Syracuse-both recent arrivals and longstanding residents-who will voice each other’s rich and complex histories, extraordinary experiences and cultural identities.

For tickets and a complete listing of participating cities and theaters, visit the national website at http://www.freenightoftheatre.org.

Theatre Communications Group (TCG) is the nation’s service organization for America’s nonprofit theaters. TCG’s mission is to strengthen, nurture and promote the professional, not-for-profit American theater. TCG initiatives include a variety of artistic, management, international and advocacy programs. Its many publications offer a national resource for reference, opinion and debate on theater and the performing arts today. TCG serves nearly 500 member theaters nationwide. For more information, visit http://www.tcg.org.

“Tales from the Salt City” is a powerful exploration of the changing face of Syracuse through an interview-based theatrical work that presents first-hand narratives of citizens of Syracuse. Created by theatrical innovator Chong and constructed as a chamber piece of storytelling, the performance features real people telling their personal experiences of creating cultural identity out of rich and complex histories. Chong continues the compelling work he has done throughout the United States, exploring the divergent lives that make up our communities.

For “Tales from the Salt City” regular ticket information, contact the Syracuse Stage Box Office in person at 820 E. Genesee St., via telephone at (315) 443-3275 or online at http://www.SyracuseStage.org.

In cooperation with the world premiere production of “Tales from the Salt City” at Syracuse Stage, Chong will speak on the SU campus on Oct. 6, as part of the 2008 Syracuse Symposium. A semester-long intellectual and artistic festival, Syracuse Symposium invites the SU and Central New York communities to explore this year’s theme, “migration,” through engaging lectures, concerts, exhibitions and award-winning films. It is presented by SU’s College of Arts and Sciences. For more information, visit http://www.syracusesymposium.org.