IN THE
Sp tlight
Winter 2017
YOUR GUIDE TO UPCOMING SHOWS AT BLUMENTHAL PERFORMING ARTS An American in Paris
Erth’s Dinosaur Zoo Live!
Black Violin
Don’t Miss the “Spotlight Specials” on Page 14. Tickets: 704.372.1000 | BlumenthalArts.org
Winter 2017
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Nick Spangler and the An American in Paris Touring Company. Photo by Matthew Murphy.
Get to Know the Show
I
nspired by the Academy Awardwinning film, An American in Paris is the romantic story about an American soldier, a mysterious French girl and an indomitable European city, each yearning for a new beginning in the aftermath of war.
This production was the most awarded new musical of 2015, winning four Tony® Awards, four Drama Desk Awards, four Outer Critics Circle Awards, the Drama League Award for Best Musical, three Fred and Adele Astaire Awards, and two Theatre World Awards. The exquisite music and lyrics of George and Ira Gershwin, including “I Got Rhythm,” “Liza,” “’S’Wonderful” and “I’ll Build a Stairway to Paradise,” serve as the soundtrack for Christopher Wheeldon’s Tony Award-winning choreography.
An American in Paris 2
Winter 2017
JAN. 10-15 BELK THEATER
AT BLUMENTHAL PERFORMING ARTS CENTER
Tickets: 704.372.1000 | BlumenthalArts.org
See if you can match the lyrics to these iconic songs featured in The Bodyguard.
“I Have Nothing”
“I can cast a spell, of secrets you can tell”
“I’m Every Woman”
“Ain’t it shocking what love can do”
“I Will Always Love You”
“Don’t make me close one more door”
“So Emotional”
“Bittersweet memories, that is all I’m taking with me”
“How Will I Know”
“When I wake from dreaming, tell me is it really love”
ANSWERS: 1-C; 2-A; 3-D; 4-B; 5-E
The Bodyguard IN THE
MARCH 7-12 BELK THEATER
AT BLUMENTHAL PERFORMING ARTS CENTER
Sp tlight
JanuaryMarch 2017
Produced by Marketing at Blumenthal Performing Arts Wendy Oglesby, vice president Mark Wallace, creative services manager Brandon Carter, marketing and publicity manager
Tickets: 704.372.1000 | BlumenthalArts.org
DESIGNER: Lindsey Burton WRITER/COORDINATOR: Brandon Carter
On the Cover
From top, An American in Paris Touring Company, photo by Matthew Murphy; Erth’s Dinosaur Zoo Live!, photo by C. Waits; and Black Violin, photo by Colin Brennan.
Winter 2017
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HYPNOTIC BRASS ENSEMBLE A Blend of Music Styles
T
he Hypnotic Brass Ensemble consists of seven blood brothers from the south side of Chicago who come from an extraordinary musical family. They began their musical training at the tender ages of 4 and 5 by their father, jazz trumpeter and band leader Kelan Phil Cohran of Earth, Wind & “Trafficking in a free-flowing blend of Fire and Chaka Khan fame. Now, the band freely jazz, hip-hop and Afrobeat, the group can mixes the brass band tradition with generous doses of hip-hop, soul and funk, creating an resemble the world’s funkiest marching intoxicating and boisterous blend that is just band one minute, an unhinged New barely contained on their newest release “Fly: Orleans funeral procession the next.” The Customs Prelude.” Their song “War” was featured in the blockbuster hit movie, The – Los Angeles Times Hunger Games.
“
FREE MOVIE SCREENING In advance of their electric performance, join us for a free screening of Brothers Hypnotic, which explores Hypnotic Brass Ensemble’s music, work ethic, life and experience of being raised by their jazz legend father. McGlohon Theater at Spirit Square Friday, Jan. 6 Doors open at 7:30 p.m., film begins at 8 p.m. Photo by Ray Yau
Hypnotic Brass Ensemble 4
Winter 2017
JAN. 26 McGLOHON THEATER AT SPIIRT SQUARE
Tickets: 704.372.1000 | BlumenthalArts.org
“BELIEVE THE BUZZ!”
PHOTO OF LUKE TREADAWAY BY HUGO GLENDINNING
–VARIETY
Fifteen-year-old Christopher has an extraordinary brain; he is exceptionally intelligent but illequipped to interpret everyday life. When he falls under suspicion for killing his neighbor’s dog, he sets out to identify the true culprit, which leads to an earth-shattering discovery and a journey that will change his life forever, and maybe yours. Hailed by The New York Times as “One of the most fully immersive works ever to wallop Broadway,” The National Theatre production of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time is the Tony Award-winning new play by Simon Stephens, adapted from Mark Haddon’s best-selling novel and directed by Tony winner Marianne Elliott (War Horse and Curious Incident).
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time Tickets: 704.372.1000 | BlumenthalArts.org
FEB. 14-19 BELK THEATER
AT BLUMENTHAL PERFORMING ARTS CENTER
Winter 2017
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DRUMLINE RETURNS WITH A BRAND NEW SHOW
D
RUMLine Live, the showstopping attraction created by the musical team behind 20th Century Fox’s hit movies, Drumline and Drumline: A New Beat, has performed more than 300 shows since 2009, including at Charlotte’s Belk Theater. Now it’s time for a new show featuring new music and choreography. With dazzling choreography and explosive percussion, DRUMLine Live is a thrilling spectacle that pays homage to the show-style marching popularized at historically black colleges and universities. With musical highlights from hip-hop, American soul, gospel and jazz, to name a few, the show blends genres. This music, combined with a unique style of drumming, mesmerizing musicianship and lively choreography, create a production never seen on stage before. Be prepared to laugh, sing, dance, and cry because DRUMLine Live is a high-octane musical roller-coaster ride that will hit every emotion in your body.
DRUMLine Live 6
Winter 2017
MARCH 21 BELK THEATER
AT BLUMENTHAL PERFORMING ARTS CENTER
Tickets: 704.372.1000 | BlumenthalArts.org
FANTASTIC FEATS FOR THE
ENTIRE FAMILY B U R ZOO LIVE !
A E RTH’S DINOS Erth’s Dinosaur Zoo Live!
rought to life by a team of skilled performers and puppeteers, and designed with the help of professional paleontologists, Erth’s Dinosaur Zoo Live’s puppets are so extraordinarily realistic you may feel the urge to run and hide – but don’t! You won’t want to miss a minute of this fun, unique, entertaining and educational live show. While it may indeed have been 65 million years in the making, we think you’ll agree, it’s well worth the wait!
MARCH 7-12 BOOTH PLAYHOUSE
AT BLUMENTHAL PERFORMING ARTS CENTER
T 2017 KODO: DADAN Kodo: Dadan 2017
he thunderous, joyful performances of Kodo – Japan’s foremost taiko drumming ensemble – combine extreme athleticism with unfettered emotional power. Dadan, which means “drumming men,” features the company’s male drummers in a bold exploration of percussion and movement. In Japanese, the word Kodo holds a double meaning. It can be translated as “heartbeat,” the primal source of all rhythm, or as “children of the drum,” which reflects the group’s desire to play the drums with the simple heart of a child.
MARCH 13 BELK THEATER
AT BLUMENTHAL PERFORMING ARTS CENTER
Tickets: 704.372.1000 | BlumenthalArts.org
Winter 2017
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FLAMENCO FLAMENCO VIVO VIVO SANTANA CARLOTA CARLOTA SANTANA
FIESTA FLAMENCA “An infectiously infectiously “An infectiously “An joyful celebration celebration joyful celebration joyful of music music and and dance.” of music and dance.”of – The New York Times
F
The New New York York Times Times –– The
lamenco Vivo Carlota Santana is one of America’s premier Spanish dance companies, dedicated to the belief that the universal spirit of flamenco, a multicultural art form, has the power to build bridges between “She cultures. The company brings Fiesta Flamenca “She boiled boiledthe with fury…battered boiled with fury…battered “She with stage fury…battered the the stage stage with her her heels, hammering her heels, hammering with unknowable heels, hammering unknowable unknowable to Booth Playhouse this February. Learn a littlewith more about flamenco below. agonies into into dust…” agonies into dust…” agonies dust…” – The Washington Post
–– The The Washington Washington Post Post
A GUIDE TO FLAMENCO What is flamenco? Flamenco is a Spanish art form containing cante (singing), toque (guitar playing), baile (dance), jaleo (vocalizations), palmas (hand clapping) and pitos (finger snapping). Where was flamenco created? Flamenco originated in Southern Spain in the region known as Andalucia, but it is thought to be influenced by many world cultures, including Latin American, Cuban and Jewish traditions. What shoes are worn when dancing flamenco? Females wear zapatos, which are flamenco shoes that have tiny nail heads on the toe and heel to make the sound, unlike tap shoes that have a large piece of metal. The flamenco shoe for the man is very similar and is called the bota.
Fiesta Flamenca 8
Winter 2017
FEB. 16-18 BOOTH PLAYHOUSE
AT BLUMENTHAL PERFORMING ARTS CENTER
Tickets: 704.372.1000 | BlumenthalArts.org
Facts about 20 Years of Riverdance Played 11,500 performances. Seen live by over 25 million people in over 515 venues worldwide. Played throughout 47 countries across six continents. Traveled 750,000 miles (or 30 times around the world). Sold more than 3 million copies of the Grammy Award-winning CD. Holds the Guinness World Record for the “Longest Riverdance Line,” which featured 1,693 participants. Has taught the iconic Riverdance steps to more than 500 Irish dancers from 15 countries worldwide via the Riverdance Summer School since the school began in 2015. RD 40x60_placed.indd 2
Riverdance – The 20th Anniversary World Tour Tickets: 704.372.1000 | BlumenthalArts.org
JAN. 31-FEB. 5 OVENS AUDITORIUM
20/10/2015 09:46
Winter 2017
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Help Write the Next ‘Hit’ Musical
Always wanted to write a hit musical? Now you can! Broadway’s Next H!T Musical relies on audience suggestions and the master improvisations of an immensely talented cast to create a unique, spontaneous hit musical at every show. Every song is fresh. Every scene is new. Every night is different. It’s all improvised and it’s all funny. Join us for this hilarious musical experience in March, but first …
Try your hand at creating a hit musical and enter to win! Visit BlumenthalArts.org/HitMusical to enter a contest for a pair tickets to opening night of Broadway’s Next H!T Musical. Simply tell us the name of your musical, the two show-stopping songs and who you would cast in the lead roles. Our favorite entries will be posted via social media. Contest winners will be randomly selected from all entries. You must enter to win by Friday, Jan. 13, 2017.
Broadway’s Next H!T Musical 10
Winter 2017
MARCH 24-25 BOOTH PLAYHOUSE
AT BLUMENTHAL PERFORMING ARTS CENTER
Tickets: 704.372.1000 | BlumenthalArts.org
back by
POPULAR DEMAND Charlotte loves these artists. Check out these exciting shows returning to the Queen City after packed houses the last time they performed here.
with special guest Willie Watson JAN. 7 • KNIGHT THEATER
JAN. 20 • KNIGHT THEATER AN EVENING WITH
Pat Metheny
With Antonio Sanchez, Linda Oh, Gwilym Simcock
JAN. 30 • KNIGHT THEATER
with special guest Gary Douglas Band MARCH 2 • McGLOHON THEATER
MARCH 21-22 • KNIGHT THEATER Tickets: 704.372.1000 | BlumenthalArts.org
Winter 2017
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IN THE
Sp tlight Calendar
JANUARY 7 10-15 12 20
Steep Canyon Rangers With Special Guest Wilie Watson Knight Theater An American in Paris Belk Theater The Subdudes McGlohon Theater
26 30 JAN. 31FEB. 5
Hypnotic Brass Ensemble McGlohon Theater An Evening With Pat Metheny With Antonio Sanchez, Linda Oh, Gwilym Simcock Knight Theater Riverdance – The 20th Anniversary World Tour Ovens Auditorium
Hannibal Buress: The Hannibal Montanable Experience Knight Theater
FEBRUARY 10 10-12 14-19
Josh Ritter With Special Guest Lowland Hum McGlohon Theater Into The Woods Knight Theater
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time Belk Theater
16-18
Flamenco Vivo/Carlota Santana Presents Fiesta Flamenca Booth Playhouse
18
Marc Maron: The Too Real Tour Knight Theater
21
Shovels & Rope With Special Guest John Moreland Knight Theater
25
Twyla Tharp Dance: Fiftieth Anniversary Tour Belk Theater
Preludes and Fugues © Twyla Tharp. Photo by Ruven Afanador
12
Winter 2017
Tickets: 704.372.1000 | BlumenthalArts.org
IN THE
Sp tlight Calendar
MARCH 21
DRUMLine Live Belk Theater
7-12
The Bodyguard Belk Theater
21-22
Black Violin Knight Theater
7-12
Erth’s Dinosaur Zoo Live! Booth Playhouse
24-25
Broadway’s Next H!T Musical Booth Playhouse
2
13
Southside Johnny & The Asbury Jukes With Special Guest Gary Douglas Band McGlohon Theater
Kodo: Dadan 2017 Belk Theater
MAR. 30APR. 1
One Woman Sex and the City Stage Door Theater
Shovels & Rope
For a complete list of upcoming shows, visit
BlumenthalArts.org Tickets: 704.372.1000 | BlumenthalArts.org
Winter 2017
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IN THE
Sp tlight Specials
SAVE $10 ON THESE GREAT SHOWS* DEC. 27-30
THE
SUBDUDES
KNIGHT THEATER
JAN. 12 McGLOHON THEATER
Offer valid for Price Zone 10 at select performances. *
HYPNOTIC BRASS ENSEMBLE
Offer valid for Price Zone 10. *
JAN. 26 McGLOHON THEATER
MARCH 13
KODO: DADAN 2017
Offer valid for Price Zone 10.
Offer valid for Price Zone 10.
*
MARCH 24-25 BOOTH PLAYHOUSE
Offer valid for Price Zone 10 at select performances.
BELK THEATER
*
ALAN CUMMING SINGS SAPPY SONGS
APRIL 30 BELK THEATER
*
Offer valid for Price Zone 10. *
Call now for these specials, or visit BlumenthalArts.org/Spotlight for the latest offers 14
Winter 2017
Tickets: 704.372.1000 | BlumenthalArts.org
The Acclaimed Fiasco Theater Production
E
nter to win! Complete the Into The Woods themed word search below for a chance to win free tickets. Simply snap a photo of your completed word search and, using subject line “Woods Word Search,” email it to marketing2@ncbpac.org with your name and contact information. Find them all and you’ll be entered to win four tickets to opening night of Into The Woods on Friday, Feb. 10. You may also enter to win via mail. Remove this page with the word search completed, add your contact information, and mail it to us at:
WORD SEARCH
Into The Woods Word Search c/o Blumenthal Arts Marketing 345 N. College St. Charlotte, NC 28202 Deadline for entries to be received is Jan. 13.
M T F Q E A W X Y G B D G
I B H S P O I R K A M R E
K M R E L L A D L L I I R
K U A F B P D L I M S N U
C L P G U A E D M T O T T
1. ADVENTURE 2. BEANSTALK 3. CINDERELLA 4. CURSE 5. FAIRY TALE 6. GRIMM BROTHERS
Into The Woods
E L A N I R K B V A N O N
K T Z T E N R E W X D T E
O E I D S O A L R S H H V
L O N H T N K T Y S E E D
G I O H W Q A J I J I W A
C P E F N H Y E U O M O R
7. IMAGINATION 8. INTO THE WOODS 9. MILKY WHITE 10. PRINCE 11. RAPUNZEL
T R H C T I W G B O N O K
S T E P S I S T E R S D L
E L A T Y R I A F A L S Q
W O X P R I N C E E O S H
12. SONDHEIM 13. STEPSISTERS 14. THE BAKER 15. WITCH 16. WOLF
FEB. 10-12 KNIGHT THEATER
AT LEVINE CENTER FOR THE ARTS
Tickets: 704.372.1000 | BlumenthalArts.org
Winter 2017
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16
Winter 2017
Tickets: 704.372.1000 | BlumenthalArts.org
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Winter 2017
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