The Other Mozart at CoMMA Everett McCorvey and the American Spiritual Ensemble at ATHC THE LITTLE PRINCE at Schaefer Center Presents
A Winter Wonderland In The Performing Arts: Regional Groups Return To Their Venues With A Flurry Of Productions he joy of audience members attending live, in-person productions is palpable as loyal patrons of our region’s performing arts organizations eagerly return to theatrical productions for the first time in a very long year and a half, or even longer for most patrons. While a few groups cautiously resumed operations in the late summer or early fall, most are now taking to stage with a wide array of eagerly awaited events. “The success of recent in-person performances has clearly demonstrated that High Country audiences are ready to resume attending events,” said Appalachian Theatre Executive Director Laura Kratt, who noted that attendance has been building steadily since the venue resumed live programming last September. Indeed, the cultural calendar has quickly filled up with even more concerts, festivals, plays, musicals, and dance events over the winter months and in the new year that will welcome local residents and visitors alike. Here are but a few of the events that have been announced from now through mid-April, listed alphabetically by producing company, with many more to be announced shortly. PLEASE NOTE that all of the performances, dates, and times are subject to change; readers are strongly encouraged to check individual websites and/or the theatre box offices for the most current information. See you at the theatre!
Following soon after is the American Spiritual Ensemble on January 28. This choral group is comprised of some of the finest classically-trained singers in the U.S. and preserves the traditions of the American Negro spiritual. Founded in 1995 by Dr. Everett McCorvey, this vocal ensemble has thrilled audiences around the world with their dynamic repertoire ranging from spirituals to classical to jazz, with Broadway showtunes that highlight the Black experience. On February 8, ATHC presents the acclaimed Aquila Theatre Company and their production of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby. Founded in London in 1991, Aquila Theatre is one of the foremost producers of classical theatre in the U.S., visiting fifty to sixty American cities each year. For more info, go to AppTheatre.org. Soapbox Time: The BENTON HALL COMMUNITY ARTS CENTER in North Wilkesboro is perhaps the best kept secret in our region. This 1913 architectural gem was a school for over half a century until its closing in 1979, when the venue was abandoned by the local school board and left in disrepair. Civic businessman Clarence Benton (“bless his heart,” as my mother would say) acquired the building in hopes of salvaging the historic structure and restoring it to its former glory. Fortunately for all of us, it is now home to the dynamic Wilkes Playmakers, an avocational theatre that is the pride of its community, and rightfully so. Their next production is Disney’s The Little Mermaid, a stage musical based on the animated 1989 Disney film of the same name and the classic story by Hans Christian Andersen about a mermaid who dreams of the world above the sea and gives up her voice to find true love. Performances run March 4 – 6 and 11 – 13 with ticket information available at www.wilkesplaymakers.com.
Their clever phone number is 336-838-PLAY (7529). You gotta’ love them, as I do. A double-handful of offerings are on the winter season schedule at the CITY OF MORGANTON MUNICIPAL AUDITORIUM (CoMMA). Here are just a few that I’m looking forward to seeing. On February 18, The Other Mozart is the true, untold story of Maria Anna Walburga Ignatia Mozart, nicknamed Nannerl, the older sister of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. She, too, was a prodigy, a keyboard virtuoso, and prolific composer, who performed with her brother throughout Europe to equal acclaim, but Nannerl’s work and her story faded away, lost to history. Written and performed by Sylvia Milo, the play is based on facts, stories, and lines pulled directly from the Mozart family’s humorous and heartbreaking letters. On February 22, the Russian Ballet Theatre presents their production of Swan Lake, Tchaikovsky’s timeless classic, with new choreography, hand-painted sets, and 150 new hand-sewn costumes. On February 26, “a modern day Mr. Rogers with hipster appeal” takes the stage in The Joshua Show, with live music, puppetry, physical comedy, and tap dancing by the multitalented Joshua Holden and friends. It is followed on March 21 by the Tony Awardwinning musical comedy Hairspray, about 16-year-old Tracy Turnblad in 1960s Baltimore as she sets out to dance her way onto TV’s most popular show. “Can a girl with big dreams, and even bigger hair, change the world?” This all-new touring production will reunite Broadway’s award-winning creative team led by director Jack O’Brien and choreographer Jerry Mitchell. Additional information and tickets are available at www.commaonline.org or at yet another ingenious phone number, 800-939-SHOW (7469). Continued on next page
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By Keith Martin
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The APPALACHIAN THEATRE OF THE HIGH COUNTRY (ATHC) rings in the New Year on January 22 with acclaimed artist Dan Tyminski. Honored with 14 Grammy award wins and the International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) “Male Vocalist of the Year” award, this modern Bluegrass musician is most famous for his performance of “I’m a Man of Constant Sorrow” in the film, “Oh Brother Where Art Thou?”
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