Credit: Emil Cohen
Scottish-American actor, singer and provocateur Alan Cumming is set to bring his signature wit and theatrical flair to Pine Plains’ Stissing Center on Sept. 28. The center will present Alan Cumming: Uncut, an evening of music, humor and unfiltered storytelling that will serve as the marquee event for its $10.4 million capital fundraising campaign.
“It’s one big long story and the whole aim is to sort of bring the audience on a journey with me,” Cumming told the Herald in an interview. “And to challenge them, a wee bit, about why we push people away that are different from us and to realize that being different is actually really great. I think it kind of makes you a better person. I wouldn’t change being different for the world now.”
Cumming’s solo cabaret-style show includes material previously performed only a handful of times and features renowned musician and composer Henry Koperski on piano. The performance, blending music with memoir, reflects on Cumming’s experience of life as an outsider.
“As a queer man and someone who is not from this country, the thing about being different is that other people have to catch up to you. You’re different to them, but for you, you’re just you.”
For Cumming, a self-described “country boy,” his performance in Pine Plains holds special significance. He spoke fondly of performing in small towns, noting how it connects him with his roots. “I really love going to places where I feel a connection with my younger self,” he said. “I grew up in a rural area in Scotland. I kind of wish there’d been places like the Stissing Center where I grew up. There was drama as a sort of post-school activity and the village hall would do a show once in a while, but there wasn’t anything as organized as an arts center at all.”
Cumming, 59, has built a successful career in the arts, earning numerous accolades as an actor, including a BAFTA Award, two Tony Awards and an Olivier Award. He has been nominated for five Emmys, multiple Golden Globe Awards and a Grammy. He is also the author of two children’s books, a book of photographs and stories, a novel and a New York Times bestselling memoir, Not My Father’s Son.
Having lived part-time in the Western Catskills for over 23 years, Cumming is no stranger to upstate New York and appreciates the peace it offers. “It’s a little bit further from the city, so it’s more of a commitment to get here, but it feels like you’ve left the city behind,” he said. “I love the feeling as I drive closer to my place that I’m shedding all of the city energy.” The region’s rich artistic tradition also resonates with him. “There’s this great tradition of artists and writers who have been inspired by the area. I really click into that.”
Credit: Patrick Grego
The evening will begin with a pre-show reception featuring hors d’oeuvres and a cash bar, giving attendees a chance to learn about the Stissing Center’s mission and future plans. A silent auction will offer curated items ranging from local art to exclusive experiences. The funds raised are critical for the $10.4 million capital campaign aimed at completing renovations. Planned upgrades include more than $1 million for roof repairs, $3 million for a rear addition with stairs and an elevator, and enhancements like a kitchen, flexible event space for 50 to 80 people, essential technological upgrades and theater seating.
Only 60 of 240 seats remain, with tickets available on the center’s website. Standard admission is $250, while VIP tickets at $1,000 include access to a post-show reception featuring additional food, drinks and opportunities to connect with Cumming. For Brett Bernardini, the center’s executive director, bringing a star like Cumming to Pine Plains highlights the cultural vibrancy rural America can offer. “Pine Plains is a town of 2,500 people, and rural America often gets a bad rap in popular culture,” he said. “But here, without having to travel to New York City, people can experience world-class performances. It’s something we’re incredibly proud of, and we’re thrilled to share it with both our community and visitors.”
Since opening in 2019, the Stissing Center has consistently brought high-caliber performances to Pine Plains, featuring headliners like Wynton Marsalis and David Byrne. “The bar was set high when we opened with Wynton Marsalis, and each year we aim to meet or exceed that standard,” Bernardini said. “These events enable us to give back to our community in meaningful ways — from free children’s programs and community dance parties to scholarships for local students,” he added.
Cumming said his show is a departure from traditional cabaret. “My intention with this show was to not allow the audience to clap. It’s sort of one big thought,” he said. “I sing a very eclectic mix of songs, but I never kind of finish a song — I always move on to the next thought.”
“As an outsider, you have to think much more about who you are, and what you are, and how you love,” Cumming said. “And most people who ostracize you or hate you don’t understand that and have never had to do that. So they are the people who need some work. Hatred is learned. Fear is fear, but hatred is learned. They choose to hate you. How do we find ways to tell them we love them?”