It’s hard to believe that it is already December. Thanks for reading our blog and supporting the arts in our region. Enjoy this festive season! And as 2025 comes to a close, we wish you all the best… and may you have plenty of exciting arts experiences this month and beyond!
The Westchester Philharmonic presents: Clash of the Cellos II
Sunday, December 14, 2025, at 3pm
The Purchase PAC
When The Phil first presented their all-cello ensemble in the Spring of 2023, the plan was to have some off-beat fun. After delighting and enthralling two sold-out audiences, they brought it to the main stage later that year, and it became one of The Phil’s most popular programs. They immediately began working on Clash II, with an all-new program showcasing the cello’s rich and inspiring sound in music by Satie, De Falla, Bizet, Gershwin, and more. With a dash of holiday flavor, and The Phil’s Cello Section: Eugene Moye, principal, Roberta Cooper, Maureen Hynes, Eliana Mendoza, and Lanny Paykin, this program also features mezzo-soprano Jeanne Ireland performing some all-time operatic favorites.|
Learn more and get tickets on The Purchase PAC website
The Rob Mathes Holiday Concert
Saturday, December 20, 2025, at 8pm
Sunday, December 21, 2025, at 3pm
The Purchase PAC
Now in its 32nd year! Rob Mathes, the Emmy-winning, Tony and Grammy-nominated arranger/composer and music producer/director, brings a stacked lineup including his all-star band with 6-piece horn section, string quartet, 40+ voice choir, with Will Lee of David Letterman, David Kim, concertmaster of the Philadelphia Orchestra, Vaneese Thomas, D Train, and many more. This is the highly musical and emotional event to enrich your holiday season!
Watch a promotional video with clips from past shows on YouTube
The Last Ship returns to New York City
Sting will star in a newly adapted version of his musical The Last Ship at the Metropolitan Opera House for nine performances, June 9–14, 2026. The Last Ship played Broadway’s Neil Simon Theatre in 2014-15. The production was nominated for two Tony awards—for Sting’s score, and Rob Mathes’ orchestrations. Ahead of this series of performances, Sting will release The Last Ship (Expanded Edition) on December 5, 2025. Produced by Sting and Rob Mathes, the album expands upon the original deluxe edition of Sting’s 2013 solo album with the addition of five brand-new, never-before-released recordings.
Read more about The Last Ship album release on Sting’s website
This World of Tomorrow with Tom Hanks and Kelli O’Hara
Featuring Purchase College alum Jay O. Sanders
Now through December 21
The Shed in Hudson Yards, 545 W 30th St, New York, NY 10001
Jay O. Sanders ’76 was the very first acting student admitted to Purchase College. He received the 2018 Joe A. Callaway Award, presented by the Actors’ Equity Foundation for “best performance in a professional production of a classic play” and in 2019, he earned a Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Actor in a Play, both for his performance as the title character in Chekhov’s Uncle Vanya. (Read more about his role in this New York Times feature by Ben Brantley.) In 2024, he received an Outer Critics Circle Award for Outstanding Featured Performer in an Off-Broadway Play for his performance in Primary Trust.
For information and tickets, visit The Shed’s website
On Late Night with Seth Meyers, Tom Hanks talks about Jay O. Sanders in This World of Tomorrow
This month, you can also see Jay O. Sanders in the PBS Great Performances presentation of Purlie Victorious
Hear Jay O. Sanders talk about his role as Ol’ Captain Cotchipee
PBS Great Performances presents Twelfth Night
Featuring Purchase College alum Precious Omigie
Streaming until December 31 on PBS
Experience this star-studded Shakespearean comedy of mistaken identity that tells the romantic misadventures of twins Sebastian and Viola after they survive a shipwreck, including revenge plots and tricks of love. Recorded this summer at the newly renovated Delacorte Theater in Central Park, the production is directed by Tony Award nominee Saheem Ali. The sparkling ensemble includes Purchase alum Precious Omigie.
Watch Twelfth Night on PBS.org
Parsons Dance
Friday, January 30, 2026, at 7:30pm
The Purchase PAC
Learn more about Parsons Dance, who are heading our way in January! This contemporary American dance company is internationally renowned for its energized, athletic ensemble work. Founded in 1985 by Artistic Director David Parsons and Tony Award-winning lighting designer Howell Binkley, the company has toured to more than 445 cities, 30 countries, and 5 continents and has performed at such notable venues as The Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Sydney Opera House, Maison de la Danse, Teatro La Fenice, and Teatro Municipal do Rio de Janeiro.
Watch Parsons dancer Zoey Anderson perform in the Fire Island Dance Festival 2023.
The sunset performance concluded with Parsons Dance and an excerpt from “Whirlaway.” The exuberant piece from choreographer David Parsons opened with soloist Zoey Anderson dancing to the music of New Orleans soul artist Allen Toussaint.
To prepare for this performance, visit YouTube to take a warm-up class with Parsons dancer Zoey Anderson
Happy 95th Birthday, David Amram!
Couldn’t let the opportunity pass to send best wishes to our local multi-hyphenate and role model for lifelong education at “the University of Hangout-ology”! Read in The New York Times: “At 95, David Amram Still Makes Music. And Nobody Can Put Him in a Box. Jazz, classical, folk, world music — for this composer, categories were never confining.”
Visit YouTube for a clip of him celebrating his 95th birthday at Jazz Forum Arts in Tarrytown
And a few more treats…
Purchase alum Regina Spektor returned last month in a benefit concert for ArtsWestchester. Here she performs “Samson” at the Kennedy Center with the National Symphony Orchestra in DECLASSIFIED: Ben Folds Presents.
Watch Regina Spektor perform Samson at the Kennedy Center on YouTube
Finally, it just wouldn’t be the holidays without the Brandenburg Concertos. Happy holidays!
CMS Front Row Mainstage: The Brandenburg Concertos
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Culture Picks celebrates the performing arts. In each post, PAC staff member Coni Guhl shines the spotlight on work by artists that you know and love from their appearances at The Purchase PAC, and offers recommendations about other performing arts events that you really should not miss. Experience them all!
All times are EDT unless otherwise noted.
Pictured: Rob Mathes. Photo (c) Mark Most.
