IN THE
Sp tlight
Winter/Spring 2016
YOUR GUIDE TO UPCOMING SHOWS AT BLUMENTHAL PERFORMING ARTS
The Book of Mormon
Diana Ross
Charlotte Jazz Festival
Don’t Miss the “Spotlight Specials” on Page 15. Tickets: 704.372.1000 | BlumenthalArts.org
Winter/Spring 2016
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TICKETS ON SALE NOW!
"THE BEST WINNER
9 TONY AWARDS" INCLUDING BEST MUSICAL
MUSICAL OF THIS CENTURY." THE NEW YORK TIMES BEN BRANTLEY
FEB 23-MARCH 6
BELK THEATER AT B LUMENTHAL PERFORMING ARTS CENTER 704. 372.1000 • B LU ME NTH A L A RTS. O R G 2
Winter/Spring 2016
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Tickets: 704.372.1000 | BlumenthalArts.org
Q&A With Black Violin
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ast winter, Black Violin played McGlohon Theater to a packed house. Now the group – composed of classically trained musicians Kev Marcus and Wil Baptiste – returns to Charlotte, bringing its hip-hop, classical fusions to Knight Theater at Levine Center for the Arts in March. Below, founding member Baptiste answers a few questions before their upcoming performance. MARCH 24
Q
KNIGHT THEATER How would AT LEVINE CENTER FOR THE ARTS you describe your sound to someone new to Black Violin?
A
... Think of it as a famous dish with lots of ingredients. The main ingredients, of course, are classical and hip-hop, but there’s also jazz, blues, R&B and even a little bit of country. Black Violin’s music truly has something for everyone.
Q
You performed in Charlotte in January 2015 to a packed house. How has your career changed since then?
A
Our career has been amazing since we’ve performed in Charlotte. We’ve released an album, “Stereotypes,” on Universal Music Classics. The album has been doing really well, and touring has been amazing!
Q
Your most recent album was released in September. How did that album come together?
IN THE
Sp tlight
FebruaryApril 2016
Produced by Marketing at Blumenthal Performing Arts Wendy Oglesby, vice president Mark Wallace, creative services manager Brandon Carter, marketing and publicity specialist
Tickets: 704.372.1000 | BlumenthalArts.org
A
It was extremely difficult to put an album together while still touring. We would basically fly to New York whenever we had off days to record the album, which meant that we would spend less time at home. It was hard, but we made it work.
Q
You’ve worked with some amazing artists. Do you have a favorite collaboration?
A
I would have to say Alicia Keys and Mike Shinoda of Linkin Park. The reason why I chose those two artists is because of their humility and the way they carry themselves. We’ve learned so many things from them, which helped us to be the artists that we are today.
Q
How did the two of you come together to form the band?
A
After high school, Kev and I went to different colleges. ... We came back together after college in South Florida and started creating music. We started noticing how incorporating classical music into hip-hop was something that people were drawn to. So in 2002-2003, we started branding this new sound by performing anywhere that would have us. We started touring with major artists like Alicia Keys and Linkin Park, and the rest is history.
DESIGNER: Mark Wallace WRITER/COORDINATOR: Brandon Carter
On the Cover
From top, The Book of Mormon National Tour Company, photo by Joan Marcus, 2014; Diana Ross; and Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis, photo by Frank Stewart.
Winter/Spring 2016
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The Realish Housewives Take on Charlotte
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all your best frenemies now and get tickets for this hilarious show brimming with brawls, booze and Botox. The Realish Housewives are fully loaded and ready to take on the Queen City. Get ready for loony ladies Rovanka, ClaudiaLouise, Gwen, Desiree, Brooke and your host Randy to take on the current events and people making headlines in Charlotte. The audience even gets in on the act! This is one reality train wreck that’ll leave you laughing till you cry your false eyelashes off! Meet the characters of The Realish Housewives of Charlotte.
Randy Bowen “I know, right? I don’t even work out. This just happens.”
Our gay and excitable host. Delighted with himself and his media empire, he encourages conflict and meltdowns while keeping everyone liquored up.
Claudia-Louise “CL” “With the best friends and the perfect family, I have everything! EXCEPT the need to apologize for it.”
She thinks her perfect family is better than everyone else’s. Preachy and gossipy, her confidence could give her a false sense of security.
MARCH 1-6 BOOTH PLAYHOUSE
AT BLUMENTHAL PERFORMING ARTS CENTER
Ravonka
Brooke
“People assume because I’m royalty, I don’t have to work. But I work it every day.”
“This business gal worked her tushie off, earning every dime on her own. It’s time to spend it.”
She is royalty, in terms of having a title, and in her own mind. Every moment is about her. Talks with vague Eastern European accent (which may or may not be fake).
She’s a brassy, self-made woman with a chip on her shoulder because she’s not part of high society. She’s no-nonsense and a little bossy – much to Ravonka’s dismay.
Gwen
Desiree
“How can you be this driven AND look this good? You’ve gotta be something I call … glambitious.”
“I always stick my neck out for my friends. Maybe that’s because I’m a neck model.”
Gwen is an ambitious, political player. She just got out of prison for a local scandal and she’s hungry to climb the power ladder again.
A neck model. Yes, that’s right, an entitled, pampered neck model. While she is ever the optimist, she often has no idea what’s going on.
Photos from the original Hennepin Theater Trust engagement.
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Winter/Spring 2016
Tickets: 704.372.1000 | BlumenthalArts.org
Don’t Miss These Great Attractions THE MILK CARTON KIDS
FEB. 21 BELK THEATER
AT BLUMENTHAL PERFORMING ARTS CENTER
APRIL 13 McGLOHON THEATER AT SPIRIT SQUARE
MARCH 22 KNIGHT THEATER
AT LEVINE CENTER FOR THE ARTS
Tickets: 704.372.1000 | BlumenthalArts.org
Winter/Spring 2016
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Original Australian Company. Photo by Jeff Busby
4 REASONS TO SEE ONCE THE MUSICAL
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Charlotte loved ONCE the last time around! The Gaston Gazette said, “ONCE brought something fresh, real and original to the world of theater. It’s a show that even the non-musical lover would enjoy just because it’s so different.”
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ONCE makes the perfect date night! Emotionally captivating, this show tells the story of a Dublin street musician and a beautiful young woman who takes a sudden interest in his haunting love songs. Their connection turns out to be deeper and more complex than your everyday romance.
ONCE 6
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It’s the perfect show for any music lover! Boasting incredible, breathtaking music and lyrics from Glen Hansard and Markéta Irglová, ONCE features the Oscar®-winning song “Falling Slowly” as well as elements of folk and rock throughout.
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A triumphant feat for any Broadway show, ONCE won eight Tony Awards® in 2012, including Best Musical, Best Book of a Musical, Best Direction and Best Orchestrations. It also won the Grammy® for Best Musical Theater Album in 2013.
APRIL 1-3 BELK THEATER
AT BLUMENTHAL PERFORMING ARTS CENTER
Winter/Spring 2016
Tickets: 704.372.1000 | BlumenthalArts.org
IN THE
Sp tlight Calendar
FEBRUARY Star Trek: The Ultimate Voyage 1 Belk Theater
MARCH The Realish Housewives 1-6 of Charlotte
6
Jimmy Webb: The Glen Campbell Years McGlohon Theater
9
The Willis Clan McGlohon Theater
9-14
Matilda the Musical Belk Theater
13
10 16
Colin Hay McGlohon Theater Diana Ross Belk Theater Diavolo: Architecture in Motion Knight Theater
20
Wellington International Ukulele Orchestra McGlohon Theater
20
The Beach Boys Ovens Auditorium
28
21
Yanni Belk Theater
23MAR 6 25
The Book of Mormon Belk Theater Griffin House Stage Door Theater
27
Vocalosity Knight Theater
19-20
APRIL ONCE 1-3 Belk Theater 5-10
STOMP Knight Theater
13
The Milk Carton Kids McGlohon Theater Cirque Mechanics Pedal Punk Knight Theater
17 17
Alton Brown Live Belk Theater
Tickets: 704.372.1000 | BlumenthalArts.org
Booth Playhouse
22 24
Banff Mountain Film Festival McGlohon Theater Joe Satriani Knight Theater Black Violin Knight Theater Moody Blues Belk Theater
For a complete list of upcoming shows, visit
BlumenthalArts.org
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Jesse Cook McGlohon Theater
19-24
Beautiful – The Carole King Musical Belk Theater
21
Neil deGrasse Tyson Ovens Auditorium
22-23
Charlotte Jazz Festival Knight Theater Winter/Spring 2016
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Match These Lyrics ...
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iana Ross, The Beach Boys and Moody Blues – three of the biggest music stars of all time – will perform in Charlotte very soon. See if you can identify six snippets of lyrics from these three legends and match them to the correct stars! LYRICS:
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1
You know it’s gonna make it that much better When we can say goodnight and stay together
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My first love You’re every breath that I take You’re every step I make
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I know I’ll find you somehow And somehow I’ll return again to you
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I love the colorful clothes she wears And the way the sunlight plays upon her hair
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Instinctively you give to me The love that I need I cherish the moments with you
Nights in white satin Never reaching the end Letters I’ve written Never meaning to send
... To These Artists
FEB. 16 BELK THEATER
AT BLUMENTHAL PERFORMING ARTS CENTER
FEB. 20 OVENS AUDITORIUM
MARCH 28 BELK THEATER
AT BLUMENTHAL PERFORMING ARTS CENTER
ANSWERS: 1. The Beach Boys – “Wouldn’t It Be Nice”; 2. The Moody Blues – “Nights in White Satin”; 3. Diana Ross – “Endless Love”; 4. The Moody Blues – “I Know You’re Out There Somewhere”; 5. The Beach Boys – “Good Vibrations”; 6. Diana Ross – “Upside Down”
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Winter/Spring 2016
Tickets: 704.372.1000 | BlumenthalArts.org
International Artists Bring Global Flair to Charlotte Stages
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his February and March, Blumenthal Performing Arts welcomes several outstanding artists from around the world! Yanni, one of the most widely known composers and performers around the globe, returns to Charlotte with his all-new world tour. Yanni will join his orchestra Sunday, Feb. 21, at Belk Theater to perform audience favorites and new arrangements of classics from throughout his successful career. Wellington International Ukulele Orchestra returns to McGlohon Theater Sunday, March 13, after entertaining Charlotte last January with its winning combination of comedic banter, the
Tickets: 704.372.1000 | BlumenthalArts.org
Yanni Photo by Silvio Richetto
disarmingly small ukulele and sublime musicality. Perfect for all ages, expect ukulele versions of songs made famous by Elvis Presley, Dolly Parton, The Beatles, Cyndi Lauper and more! Sunday, March 20, marks the return of the Banff Mountain Film Festival World Tour to McGlohon Theater. The festival, a program of The Banff Centre in Alberta, Canada, is one of the most prestigious mountain festivals in the world. Traveling to exotic landscapes and remote cultures, and bringing audiences up close and personal with adrenalinepacked action sports, the film festival is an exhilarating exploration of the mountain world.
Winter/Spring 2016
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Diavolo: Architecture in Motion
Vocalosity
AT LEVINE CENTER FOR THE ARTS
FEB. 27 KNIGHT THEATER
AT LEVINE CENTER FOR THE ARTS
Cirque Mechanics Pedal Punk 10
FEB. 19-20 KNIGHT THEATER
Fall/Winter 2015-16
APRIL 17 KNIGHT THEATER
AT LEVINE CENTER FOR THE ARTS
Tickets: 704.372.1000 | BlumenthalArts.org
Infectious and inspiring! – The Charlotte Observer
STOMP by the Numbers
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t’s explosive, inventive, provocative, witty and utterly unique. STOMP is an unforgettable experience for audiences of all ages! The international percussion sensation has garnered armfuls of awards and rave reviews. The eight-member troupe uses everything but conventional percussion instruments – matchboxes, wooden poles, brooms, garbage cans, Zippo lighters, hubcaps – to fill the stage with magnificent rhythms. Check out the list to the right to see how many of each of these items the tour goes through in just one week.
STOMP
30 Brooms 288 Liters of Water 2 Gallons of Floor Paint 10 Wooden Poles 40 Newspapers 20 Pounds of Sand 10 Garbage Can Lids 2 Ace Bandages 12 Boxes of Matches 20 Drumsticks
APRIL 5-10 KNIGHT THEATER
AT LEVINE CENTER FOR THE ARTS
Tickets: 704.372.1000 | BlumenthalArts.org
Winter/Spring 2016
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An Era of ‘Beautiful’ Sounds
W
hich of the following songs made famous by these legendary artists were written by Carole King?
ANSWERS: All of the songs were written by Carole King! King and her main collaborator, Gerry Goffin, co-wrote all of these hits except for “You’ve Got a Friend,” which was penned by Carole King alone. All of these songs and countless other catchy tunes are featured in Beautiful – The Carole King Musical!
1. “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman” – Aretha Franklin 2. “The Loco-Motion” – Little Eva 3. “Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow” – The Shirelles 4. “You’ve Got a Friend” – James Taylor 5. “One Fine Day” – The Chiffons 6. “Up on the Roof” – The Drifters
Beautiful
The Carole King Musical 12
Winter/Spring 2016
APRIL 19-24 BELK THEATER
AT BLUMENTHAL PERFORMING ARTS CENTER
Tickets: 704.372.1000 | BlumenthalArts.org
At right, Wynton Marsalis performs with the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra, coming to Charlotte this spring as part of Charlotte Jazz Festival 2016.
Charlotte Jazz Festival Heats Up the Queen City in April
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premier multiday jazz festival is coming to Charlotte this spring, featuring the critically-acclaimed Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra under the leadership of musical director Wynton Marsalis. Sponsored by The Leon Levine Foundation, Charlotte Jazz Festival 2016
PRESENTS
Featuring
Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra With Wynton Marsalis Charlotte Jazz Festival
Photo by Frank Stewart
will take place April 22-23 at Levine Center for the Arts in uptown Charlotte. “We couldn’t be more thrilled to have Wynton Marsalis and Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra on board,” said Blumenthal President and CEO Tom Gabbard. “We are confident this will be a weekend jazz fans won’t forget.” Festivalgoers can catch intimate club performances featuring quality talent throughout the weekend, as well as a dinner and happy hours. Among the other events are a second line parade, a youth jazz competition and workshops where kids can get hands on instruction. The Leon Levine Foundation has signed on as a presenting sponsor of Charlotte Jazz Festival 2016. Executive Director Tom Lawrence says: “We are delighted to partner with Blumenthal Performing Arts on this project. The multiday community event led by the vision of Wynton Marsalis and Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra will have it all – concerts, classes, exhibits, panel discussions, free performances and more. It’s cultural programs like the Charlotte Jazz Festival that help brighten our city and make it such a special place.” Visit BlumenthalArts.org for ticket information, including full-festival passes and single-event tickets.
APRIL 22-23 KNIGHT THEATER
AT LEVINE CENTER FOR THE ARTS
Tickets: 704.372.1000 | BlumenthalArts.org
Winter/Spring 2016
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The Bridges of Madison County One of the most romantic stories ever told
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Photo by Matthew Murphy
MAY 3-8 KNIGHT THEATER
AT LEVINE CENTER FOR THE ARTS
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Winter/Spring 2016
he Bridges of Madison County is the unforgettable story of two people caught between decision and desire, as a chance encounter becomes a second chance at so much more. It’s the story of Iowa housewife Francesca Johnson and her lifechanging, four-day whirlwind romance with traveling photographer Robert Kincaid. The Bridges of Madison County first captured the nation’s attention over 20 years ago as a bestselling novel by Robert James Waller, then as a film starring Meryl Streep and Clint Eastwood. You may be one of the over 50 million readers of the book or one of the many who loved the movie – or perhaps you are brand new to The Bridges of Madison County. Whatever your relationship, now is your chance to experience this love story live as the twotime Tony Award®-winning Broadway musical sets out across the country. – Excerpt from The Bridges of Madison County discovery guide
Tickets: 704.372.1000 | BlumenthalArts.org
IN THE
Sp tlight Specials SAVE $10
ON THESE GREAT SHOWS* Feb. 19-20 Knight Theater
Feb. 21 Belk Theater
*Offer valid for Price Level 10.
*Offer valid for Price Level 10.
Feb. 27
March 1-6
Knight Theater
Booth Playhouse
*Offer valid for Price Level 10.
*Offer valid Tuesday only for Price Level 10.
March 9
April 17
McGlohon Theater
Knight Theater
*Offer valid for Price Level 10.
*Offer valid for Price Level 10.
From the creative mind of artistic producer DEKE SHARON ( Pitch Perfect, The Sing-Off ) comes the all-new live concert event that takes a cappella to a whole new level!
CALL NOW FOR THESE SPECIALS, OR VISIT BLUMENTHALARTS.ORG/SPOTLIGHT FOR THE LATEST OFFERS Tickets: 704.372.1000 | BlumenthalArts.org
Winter/Spring 2016
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AT BLUMENTHAL PERFORMING ARTS CENTER
JUNE 17-19 BELK THEATER
PHOTO BY LINDSEY BEST Š 2015 BLUE MAN PRODUCTIONS, LLC.
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Winter/Spring 2016
Tickets: 704.372.1000 | BlumenthalArts.org
For tickets or information, call 704.372.1000 or visit BlumenthalArts.org
Winter/Spring 2016
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