SUMMER IN THE ‘VILLE

G. Douglas Dreisbach Publisher

As The Bard can attest, beauty and summer go hand in hand. This is the time of year when the sun is shining the brightest, the foliage is at its greenest, and the water in your favorite swimming hole is the most inviting.

We agree with ol’ Will that summertime doesn’t last nearly long enough, and that’s why we plan to do everything we can to make the most of this brief respite. That includes attending outdoor performances like Kentucky Shakespeare in the Park (naturally), Waterfront Wednesdays, and the myriad festivals in and around the Louisville area.

But as any native Louisvillian will tell you, we all need a break from the humidity during the hottest months, and what better way to do that than at one of our amazing local theaters?

In this issue of Audience Magazine, we highlight a few of the ways you can enjoy summer to the fullest and keep your cool at the same time. First, we encourage you to follow the journey of a young Louisville singing sensation from the comfort of your own airconditioned home on America’s Got Talent. Read our interview with 11-year-old D’Corey Johnson on page 12

Next up is a timeless classic novel reimagined for the stage, Harper Lee’s To Kill A Mockingbird. This story is one of our all-time favorites, and Aaron Sorkin’s production preserves the legacy of the original novel while making it relevant for today’s turbulent times. We interviewed the outstanding leading lady who has taken on the iconic role of Scout on page 6

We are also pleased to showcase a new offering at The Kentucky Center that will officially launch alongside Broadway’s Mockingbird this month — The Chef’s Table VIP Club. A ticket to the Club gives patrons exclusive access to a relaxing, one-of-a-kind food and beverage experience before the show. Learn more from the chef behind this innovative rewards program on page 16

If you’re looking for a topical drama with an important message, don’t miss “Helper” by Patrick Tovatt on stage at the Henry Clay starting June 30, brought to you by a group of Louisville theater veterans. Especially exciting is that one of the play’s stars is a familiar face on daytime TV. Read more on page 22.

These are just a few of the great options for performing arts lovers in June. For a complete calendar of events, visit our website at Audience502.com. Thanks to our generous advertisers for allowing us to be the top source for performing arts-related news, at no charge to you.

Stay cool,

Amy & Doug

The

PUBLISHER

G. Douglas Dreisbach

MANAGING EDITOR

Amy Higgs

CREATIVE DIRECTOR

Rhonda Mefford

SALES & MARKETING

G. Douglas Dreisbach

CONTRIBUTORS

Bunbury Theatre

Daniel Chioco

G. Douglas Dreisbach

Kentucky Performing Arts

Kentucky Tourism, Arts, and Heritage Cabinet

Speed Art Museum

University of Louisville’s Archives and Special Collections