Mastering the works of William Shakespeare is a difficult undertaking for even the most seasoned of actors. This statement sums up why Raleigh, NC-based Bare Theatre’s Rogue Company presentation of HENRY V is less than inspired. The show, which opened at Durham’s Common Ground Theatre on Thursday, July 22nd, and continued its run through Sunday, July 25th, had some nice moments; but overall, it fell flat. Although the idea of “Bare Theatre” — with little if any scenery — is a wonderful concept, it’s incredibly difficult to pull off something as dry as a Shakespearean history without a proper set. The bare-bones staging that worked in Shakespeare’s day simply doesn’t cut it in the modern world. Adding this to the inexperience of youth performers makes for a show that is somewhat of a slog to sit through.

On a positive note, however, there were many talented, young performers in this piece who managed to stand out. Tara Pozo’s too brief portrayals of Isabel and Pistol were memorable and humorous, whereas Garrett Stein-Seroussi gave an absolutely charming performance in the small role of Nym. This young man has a face that is meant for the stage.

Joey Shea’s portrayal of Henry was bumbling and awkward at times, but Shea shows an impressive grasp of the material for such a young performer. He nailed Henry V’s famous St. Crispin’s Day speech surprisingly well and was also completely lovable during his scenes with Princess Katherine. Katherine, played by Kelsey Heathcoat, was undoubtedly the most believable character in the show. Heathcoat’s French accent, facial expressions, and body language were so spot-on that one eagerly awaits her next moment on the stage.

The careful use of percussion by G. Todd Buker (PROXY) as a musical backdrop to the show worked well here, especially when combined with the “chorus” scenes. These scenes of flowing, dance-like movements were incredibly modern, interesting to watch, and well-choreographed. In fact, they were, at times, the only thing that kept the viewer watching. They served to break up the monotony of the show, and are almost eerie in their poignancy.

In this presentation of HENRY V, it was easy to miss out on key scenes, thanks to mumbling actors and haphazard staging. The battle scenes, especially, were impossibly messy and looked almost comical. In short, it just didn’t look like much effort was put into this production, except on the part of these young performers. They definitely deserve a lot of credit for giving a flawed and poorly executed show their best effort and trying earnestly to make it work.

• SHOW: http://www.baretheatre.org/next.html.
• PRESENTER: http://www.baretheatre.org/.
• VENUE: http://www.cgtheatre.com/.

OTHER LINKS:

E-text of Play: http://www.gutenberg.org/etext/2253 (Project Gutenberg).

The students of PlayMakers Repertory Company and The ArtsCenter’s 2010 Summer Youth Conservatory definitely learned a lot about what makes good theater this summer. The culmination of their studies, a frisky four-day run of Rupert Holmes’ 1986 Tony Award-winning musical DROOD — THE MYSTERY OF EDWIN DROOD, was a delightful evening’s entertainment. This clever musical play, based partially on the unfinished novel of 19th century English literary giant Charles Dickens (1812-70), is performed in two acts and allows the audience to vote on what the show’s resolution will be. Although this might seem like a vast undertaking for students aged 10 to 18, these youthful performers were up to the challenge.

Thanks to the always incredible directing skills of Tom Quaintance, who teamed with PlayMakers producing artistic director Joseph Haj to co-directed the recent warmly applauded two-part PRC production of THE LIFE AND ADVENTURES OF NICHOLAS NICKLEBY, DROOD featured many strong performances. Emma DeWitt, in her dual role as William Cartwright and the Chairman, had a strong, natural stage presence; and her enthusiasm was contagious. Joshua Collier was thoroughly hissable as the show’s villain, John Jasper, sneering and grimacing his way to success. Indeed, it was very hard to believe that Collier was such a young performer, because his acting skills were on par with those of a seasoned professional. Olivia Griffin as Princess Puffer, particularly during her “Wages of Sin” musical number, and Ardyn Flynt as Helena Landless, were also very memorable.

The show opened with a lively and funny performance of “There You Are,” and things just got better from there. Jade Bettin’s bright period costumes, Erin Dangler’s impressively complex choreography, believable British accents, and McKay Coble’s realistic set combined to make this show an impressive step up for youth theater. In fact, by the time the company burst into a cheeky rendition of “Off to the Races,” it became quite easy to forget that these were young performers. The daring, adult-themed jokes also added to this feel.

Towards the end of the performance, as promised, audience members cast their votes on who the murderer of the evening will be. This was handled incredibly professionally, by cast members in character, so the mood of the show was not lost during this brief segment. Likewise, the resolution was handled without a hitch, making it difficult to believe that there are so many possible outcomes. Most important was the fact that DROOD aroused in the viewer a desire to see more — whether it be another performance of the show by the same company or an adult depiction of DROOD. The PlayMakers Repertory Company and The ArtsCenter brought DROOD to full, glorious life and made it an invigorating experience for viewers of all ages.

SECOND OPINION: July 25th Raleigh, NC Classical Voice of North Carolina review by Alan R. Hall: http://cvnc.org/reviews/2010/072010/Drood.html; and July 20th Durham, NC HERALD-SUN preview by Dawn Baumgartner Vaughan:http://www.heraldsun.com/view/full_story/8814370/article-A-MUSICAL-MYSTERY?instance=main_article (NOTE: You must register first to read this article).

SHOW: http://www.playmakersrep.org/ and http://www.artscenterlive.org/.

PRESENTERS:

PlayMakers Repertory Company: http://www.playmakersrep.org/.

The ArtsCenter: http://www.artscenterlive.org/. VENUE: http://www.playmakersrep.org/aboutus/paulgreen.aspx.

OTHER LINKS:

The Play: http://www.rupertholmes.com/theatre/drood.html (official website) and http://www.ibdb.com/production.php?id=4386 (Internet Broadway Database).

Flash! Ah-aah. He’ll save every one of us on First Friday

Discover the reason for all the recent extraordinary intergalactical upsets when “Flash Gordon” shows at the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences on Friday, August 6 at 7pm. In this campy update of the 1930s comic strip, Flash is a quarterback for the New York Jets who is skyjacked aboard Dr. Zarkov’s rocketship along with beautiful travel agent Dale Arden, only to land on the art-deco planet Mongo. The trio forms alliances with the planet’s warring princes in order to save the Earth from destruction at the hands of Mongo’s malevolent master, Ming the Merciless.

“Flash” (1980) owes much of its magic to a screenplay conceived by Lorenzo Semple Jr, main writer for the late-60s television series “Batman,” and an original soundtrack composed and performed by the seminal rock band Queen. After that, well …

Flash is played with an unerringly straight and handsome face by Sam J Jones, who turned an unsuccessful venture as a potential suitor on The Dating Game into the part of a lifetime, and a well-earned Razzie Award nomination for Worst Actor. Dale is portrayed by former Rigid Tools poster girl Melody Anderson, who received her first national exposure as a “sweathog” in an episode of “Welcome Back, Kotter” in 1977. ‘Nuff said.

The stronger supporting cast includes voluminous British actor Brian Blessed, whose character Prince Vultan says “Who wants to live forever?” during the battle between the Hawkmen and Ming’s Imperial Fleet. This line later became the title of a Queen song on the soundtrack for “Highlander” (1986). Vultan’s foil, Prince Barin, is played by steely eyed Timothy Dalton, who was lucky enough to play James Bond twice ― in “The Living Daylights” (1987) and “Licence to Kill” (1989) ― before resigning (not retiring) and opening the door for Pierce Brosnan. Chaim Topol, best known for his performance as the milkman Tevye in “Fiddler on the Roof,” both on stage and in the 1971 film, gives life to the rocketeer Dr. Zarkov. The distinctive and distinguished Max von Sydow cut his teeth in several early Ingmar Bergman films before sinking them into the character of Ming.

Before the movie, discover what puts the “flash” in flashlight fish by visiting GLOW: Living Lights, a new special exhibit that explores the phenomenon of bioluminescence ― an organism’s ability to produce its own light. All tickets $4 after 5pm; last ticket sold at 7pm.

The Museum stays open from 5 to 9 pm on the First Friday of every month, inviting visitors to wander through eye-catching exhibits, enjoy snacks and beverages from the Acro Café, and groove to live music from Hercules Mulligan beginning at 6pm. Additionally, the Museum Store offers after-hours shopping and an opening reception (6:30-8:30 pm) for painter Dawn Rozzo, whose show “Wing, Leaf, Petal” will be on display August 6–29 in the Nature Art Gallery. All exhibited art is for sale.

The NC Museum of Natural Sciences is located in downtown Raleigh at 11 West Jones Street. Parking is available on the street and in surface lots along Wilmington and Edenton streets. For more information, contact Steve Popson at 919-733-7450 x379.

Signature fundraiser raises money to help teach self-sufficiency to low-income and homeless individuals

Wine and Design, Raleigh’s first and only wine and painting party company, was a supporter of Band Together’s concert to support StepUP Ministry.  The event was held in downtown Raleigh at the Lincoln Theatre and raised more than $358,000 for the interfaith nonprofit organization.

StepUP Ministry teaches low-income and homeless people to become self-sufficient.  The ministry assists nearly 600 individuals in Wake County every year through its Job Placement and Training Program and Life Skills Program.  Since 2004, they have helped more than 950 adults gain employment.  The funds raised by Band Together will help StepUP hire additional staff and extend their services to more people in need.

Wine and Design donated a choice of three painting packages to the event’s silent auction.  This is the first year that Wine and Design has supported Band Together and company co-owner, Emmy Preiss, says that Wine and Design looks forward to working with the organization in the future.

“The work that StepUP Ministry is doing really spoke to Harriett [Harriett Mills, Wine and Design co-owner] and me,” explains Preiss.  “We’ve both been so fortunate in our personal and professional lives that we wanted to do something for those who, for one reason or another, are unable to do something positive for themselves.  By supporting organizations like Band Together, we feel good in knowing that we’re helping to make a positive difference in our community.”

Band Together chairman, Trey Caudle, said that this year’s event was the organization’s most successful to date.  The event featured four bands, a VIP area, a silent auction, a raffle of three guitars signed by Michael Franti, and increased awareness of StepUP Ministry’s unbelievable work in our community. He adds that the in-kind donations totaled more than $88,000 and that support from the local business community is always needed and appreciated.

“Thanks to the support of businesses like Wine and Design, Band Together raised over $17,000 during our Silent Auction,” says Caudle.  “Our auction was successful because of the high quality items like the gift pack provided by Harriet and Emmy.”

Since 2001, Band Together has given over one million dollars to local charities, making it one of the most viable resources in the community.  The organization has also been awarded both the Independent’s coveted Citizen’s Award and The Association of Fundraising Professional’s Special Recognition Award.  For more information about Band Together, visit http://www.bandtogethernc.org, become a fan on Facebook or follow @bandtogethernc on Twitter. To learn more about StepUP Ministry, visit http://www.step-up.us.

About Wine and Design
Wine and Design is the dream of longtime friends and business partners Emmy Preiss and Harriet Mills.  The premise of the business is to provide “memories and a masterpiece” in just two hours.  Painting sessions are led by a local artist who provides step-by-step instructions to first-time painters, aspiring artists, or self-proclaimed pro’s that result in an individualized work of art.  Wine and Design accepts general reservations, but also books private parties.  Bridal showers, baby showers, Bunco, and girls’ night out are just a few of their offerings, as well as a selection of events just for kids.  The company also hosts fundraisers, with a portion of the proceeds going directly to the cause.  For more information, call (919) 374-0667 or visit their website at www.wineanddesignnc.com.

About Band Together NC
Band Together NC is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization composed of business and community leaders and volunteers from across the Triangle. Since its inception in 2001, the organization has helped raise more than $1 million for philanthropic organizations through one mission: using music to raise funds and awareness for local charities. Band Together is run entirely by volunteer efforts. For more information, please visit http://www.bandtogethernc.org.

About StepUP Ministry
StepUP Ministry is an interfaith nonprofit organization that teaches low-income and homeless people to become self-sufficient (stable job, stable home, stable family). Founded in 1988, StepUP annually serves nearly 600 individuals in Wake County. StepUP offers life-skills preparation with volunteer partners and job training/placement. For more information, visit http://www.step-up.us or call (919) 781-0156.

Broadway’s original Little Orphan Annie, Andrea McArdle, is the name above the title for North Carolina Theatre’s current production of ANNIE; but the Raleigh, NC-based regional theater’s vivacious home-grown version of the 1977 hit musical has more, much more to recommend it to Triangle theatergoers desperately in need of a pick-me-up from the twin whammies of economic uncertainty and a summer heat wave of tsunami-like proportions.

Andrea McArdle stars as Miss Hannigan

Andrea McArdle, who is now 46 years old, sparkles as the odious Miss Hannigan, the child-hating mistress of the Girls’ Annex of the New York Municipal Orphanage. McArdle plays hard-drinking Aggie Hannigan with gusto, but also with remarkable restraint, eschewing the scenery-chewing excesses of many of her predecessors in this role. Moreover, on opening night last Saturday, she also contributed a brief, but heartfelt solo on the reprise of “Tomorrow” at the final curtain, much to the delight of the enthusiastic NCT patrons who were already standing and cheering at the top of their voices.

Robert Newman as "Daddy" Warbucks

Whereas Andrea McArdle devours her juicy role as Miss Hannigan, singing, dancing, and cutting the fool, former “Guiding Light” star Robert Newman is more limited in his nevertheless crowd-pleasing performance as crusty billionaire Republican munitions manufacturer Oliver “Daddy” Warbucks. Newman seemed a little nervous on Saturday night. He fumbled some of his lines and he turned Warbucks’ signature songs, “N.Y.C.” and “Something Was Missing,” into patter songs a la Rex Harrison in MY FAIR LADY.

English Bernhardt (Annie) with Mikey the Dog (Sandy). Photograph by Pam Shank

Talented 14-year-old Raleigh teen English Bernhardt is delightful as Annie, the plucky orphan who unthawed Warbucks’ cold, cold heart. Bernhardt’s robust renditions of “Maybe” and “Tomorrow” are high points of the evening; and her work with Mikey the Dog, trained by William Berloni Theatrical Animals, Inc., draws oh’s and ah’s from an appreciative audience that applauds the unusual poise and expressiveness of this “Sandy.”

North Carolina Theatre artistic director Casey Hushion and choreographer Vince Pesce’s staging of ANNIE is positively effervescent; but their splendid work with Bernhardt and the other veterans of the NCT Conservatory deserves special praise.

Katherine “KK” Fritsch as July, Kelsey Healy as Tessie, Payton Prince as Duffy, Alexa Robertson as Kate, Kelsey Walston as Pepper, and especially tiny but big-voiced Mary Kate Englehardt as Molly the littlest orphan deserve kudos; and Bernhardt and these six stars of the future combine with fellow orphans Allison Cochrane, Grace DeLoache, Avery Hoerdemann, Hannah Hoskins, Mary Callan Kelso, Hayley Lundberg, Alexis van Venrooy, and Cady van Venrooy to turn “Hard-Knock Life” into a real show-stopper — not the frisky lighthearted romp usually seen, but an angry musical diatribe by orphans exploited as child labor, fed mush much of the time, and abused in so many ways by the system.

Joey Calveri and Dana Zihlman Harshaw combine with Andrea McArdle for a sassy stroll down “Easy Street” and tickle the audience’s funny-bone with their outrageous antics as Miss Hannigan’s bunco-artist brother, Rooster, and his dim-witted, oversexed partner in crime Lily St. Regis; Christy Morton is charming as Warbucks’ Gal Friday Grace Farrell; and Eric Michael Gillett is a delight as newly inaugurated President Franklin Delano Roosevelt.

Brian Michael Hoffman amuses as orphanage laundryman Bundles McCloskey and FDR’s foul-mouthed Secretary of the Interior Harold Ickes; Tom Treadwell andTerri Gervais make memorable cameo appearances as Warbucks’ unflappable butler Drake and resourceful jill-of-all-trades Mrs. Pugh; and Laurel Harris makes the most of her one shining moment as a Star to Be during the “N.Y.C.” production number.

Also contributing brief but memorable performances are Tim Caudle as roly-poly police Lt. Ward, FDR’s Secretary of the Treasury Henry Morgenthau, and Justice Brandeis; Brian Norris as radio variety show host Bert Healy; and Jennifer Frankel, Laurel Harris, and Jennifer Swiderski as the beautiful blonde, gum-chewing Boylan Sisters.

Musical director Edward G. Robinson and the NCT orchestra make the musical gems in the ANNIE score sparkle; and the splendid scenery originally designed byKenneth Foy for Atlanta’s Theater of the Stars and built by Pittsburgh CLO’s Construction Center for the Arts and the striking costumes provided by Costume World Theatrical of Deerfield Beach, FL and created locally by costume designer Ann M. Bruskiewitz help make this production look as good as it sounds. All in all, North Carolina Theatre’s is a fresh, new take on a familiar musical that deserves a look by children of all ages.

SECOND OPINION: July 21st Raleigh, NC NEWS & OBSERVER review by Roy C. Dicks: http://www.newsobserver.com/2010/07/27/598969/a-just-fine-serviceable-annie.html and July 18th preview: http://www.newsobserver.com/2010/07/18/584403/we-got-annie-and-andrea-too.html.

The North Carolina Theatre presents ANNIE, starring Andrea McArdle as Miss Hannigan, at 8 p.m. July 27-30, 2 and 8 p.m. July 31, and 2 and 7 2 p.m. August 1 in Raleigh Memorial Auditorium in the Progress Energy Center for the Performing Arts, 2 E. South St., Raleigh, North Carolina 27601.

TICKETS: $31-$76.

• BOX OFFICE: NCT Box Office: 919/831-6941.
• Ticketmaster: 800/745-3000, 919/834-4000,
• GROUP RATES (10+ tickets): dmullins@nctheatre.com or http://nctheatre.com/theatre/group_sales.html.
• SHOW: http://www.nctheatre.com/theatre/annie.html.
• PRESENTER:http://www.nctheatre.com/.
• VENUE: http://www.progressenergycenter.com/.
• DIRECTIONS/PARKING: http://nctheatre.com/theatre/directions_parking.html.
• NOTE: Arts Access, Inc. of Raleigh, NC (http://www.artsaccessinc.org/) will audio-describe the 2 p.m. July 31st performance.

OTHER LINKS:

• The Musical:http://www.mtishows.com/show_detail.asp?showid=000005 (Music Theatre International), http://www.ibdb.com/show.php?id=1613 (Internet Broadway Database), andhttp://www.imdb.com/title/tt0083564/ (Internet Movie Database).
• The Official “Little Orphan Annie” Home Page: http://www.stuartliss.com/loahp/.
• Andrea McArdle:http://www.myspace.com/theandreamcardle (official website), http://www.ibdb.com/person.php?id=76718 (Internet Broadway Database), andhttp://www.imdb.com/name/nm0564083/ (Internet Movie Database).
• Robert Newman: http://www.ornfc.com/news.htm (Official Robert Newman Fan Club) andhttp://www.imdb.com/name/nm0628242/ (Internet Movie Database).

1995 Tony Award® nominee Alan Campbell (SUNSET BOULEVARD) of New York City and Raleigh, NC actors Benji Taylor Jones and David McClutchey will star in Hot Summer Nights at the Kennedy’s presentation of DEATH AND THE MAIDEN. Campbell will play Gerardo Escobar; Jones will portray his wife, Paulina Salas; and McClutchey tackle the role of Gerardo’s new acquaintance Dr. Roberto Miranda in this intense 1990 psychological drama by Chilean-American playwright and Duke University faculty member Ariel Dorfman. DEATH AND THE MAIDEN will run July 28-Aug. 1 and Aug. 4-8 in the Sara Lynn and K.D. Kennedy, Jr. Theater in the Progress Energy Center for the Performing Arts in downtown Raleigh.

“This is a real ‘actors’ play,’” claims Hot Summer Nights producer and director Adam Twiss, “and I tend to choose material to direct that I would like to act in. There is an exceptional story to be told; it’s beautiful; it’s poignant, and it lies entirely in the hands of the actors to take the audience on a moment to moment journey of discovery.”

DEATH AND THE MAIDEN is set in an upscale beach house in a nameless South American country, very much like Chile, just after a democratic government has replaced the monstrously oppressive regime, such as that of Chilean Army general Augusto Pinochet (1915-2006), who led the 1973 military coup that ousted and assassinated democratically elected President Salvador Allende (1908-73).

Alan Campbell & David McClutchey. Photos by Katherine Kennedy

Adam Twiss adds, “[DEATH AND THE MAIDEN] is a gritty drama that is brilliantly performed. We do employ gunshots, and some of the language and descriptions of torture and rape are very graphic in nature. It’s a play that needs to be seen, but I encourage our audience to be ready for a gut-check when they enter the theater.”

After having its world premiere on July 9, 1991 at the Royal Court Theatre in London’s West End, DEATH AND THE MAIDEN made its Broadway debut, directed by Mike Nichols, on March 17, 1992 at the Brooks Atkinson Theatre, where it played for 159 performances before closing on Aug. 2, 1992. The original Broadway production starred Glenn Close as Paulina, Richard Dreyfuss as Gerardo, and Gene Hackman as Roberto. DEATH AND THE MAIDEN won the 1992 Tony Award® for Best Actress in a Play (Glenn Close).

The 1994 motion-picture version of DEATH AND THE MAIDEN, directed by Roman Polanski from a screenplay by Ariel Dorfman and Rafael Yglesias, starred Sigourney Weaver as Paulina, Stuart Wilson as Gerardo, and Ben Kingsley as Roberto.

“DEATH AND THE MAIDEN was a powerful play when it first hit the stage in the early 1990s,” recalls Hot Summer Nights director Adam Twiss, “and it attracted a lot of attention when the Broadway run, directed by Mike Nichols, sported three of the biggest names in Hollywood at the time: Glenn Close, Richard Dreyfus, and Gene Hackman. However, it was the chilling Roman Polanski film with Sigourney Weaver, Ben Kingsley, and Stuart Wilson that first got me interested in the play.”

Twiss adds, “This is a moral thriller, where truth and justice hang in the balance. The story is set in an unnamed, newly democratic country, still reeling in the aftermath of a lengthy military dictatorship. [When the curtain rises] It’s evening at a private beach-house, where Paulina Salas (Benji Taylor Jones) waits for her husband Gerardo Escobar (1995 Tony Award nominee Alan Campbell), a rising star in the newly elected, liberal, people’s government.

“Gerardo’s car has broken down on his way home from meeting with the new President where he was asked to lead a new commission seeking truth and retribution for heinous crimes, perpetrated by and against individuals during the past regime,” Twiss explains. “A stranger, and good Samaritan, Dr. Roberto Miranda (David McClutchey), stops to pick him up and take him to his home; returning later to drop off the spare tire that had been left in his car, but also to congratulate Gerardo on his being named to head this commission. It’s late; they have been drinking; and Gerardo, sensing no danger, invites Dr. Miranda to stay the night in his guest room.”

Alan Campbell & Benji Taylor Jones. Photos by Katherine Kennedy.

But, Twiss says, “Paulina, having heard the Doctor speak from another room, believes him to be the person who had repeatedly tortured and raped her when she was taken prisoner and held for questioning by the government 15 years ago. She determines to hold the doctor prisoner and seek his confession and repentance through coercion. Gerardo, now heading up a commission aimed at putting an end to just these kinds of practices, is now an accomplice to the crime.”

In addition to producer and director Adam Twiss and producer and star Alan Campbell, the Hot Summer Nights creative team for this production of DEATH AND THE MAIDEN includes producers Lauren Kennedy,Hilary Russo, and Andrea Schulz Twiss; assistant director Jess Jones; technical director and set and lighting designer Chris Bernier; costume designer Kristin Greinheisen; properties manager Leanne Norton Heintz; sound designer Brian L. Hunt; and stage manager Mette Schladweiler.

Director Adam Twiss says DEATH AND THE MAIDEN will unfold on a three-quarters thrust stage decorated with “wood construction, louvres, [and] contemporary furnishings.” He adds, “Realistic interior lighting, including practical lamps, will shift to evocative, psychologically illustrative lighting within the scenes…. Realistic, upscale, contemporary clothing will require a great deal of movement and action.”

Twiss says, “Along with being a riveting, intense drama, [DEATH AND THE MAIDEN] is a big ‘idea play.’ The trap with this type of material is that it feels that it wants to live in either an unsustainable, high-emotional place that borders on melodrama, or a more cerebral place, where the stakes may be high, but the actors and audience will not share the cathartic, empathetic experience.

“Working with this material is precarious, and we need to balance the guts with the intellectual inspiration,” declares Adam Twiss. “We have found that keeping our world real more than theatrical (in a design sense) gives the characters the grounding they need to sustain the drama, while still allowing for the brilliant ideas to shine through the dialogue. This basis in reality also serves to strengthen the few truly ‘theatrical’ departures we make along the way.”

After DEATH AND THE MAIDEN closes on Aug. 8th, the final show of the 2010 season of Hot Summer Nights at the Kennedy will be Andrew Lloyd Webber’s one-act song cycle TELL ME ON A SUNDAY(Aug. 18-Sept 5), starring Raleigh native, Broadway star, and Hot Summer nights producer Lauren Kennedy. TELL ME ON A SUNDAY will run Aug. 18-22 and 25-29 in the Kennedy Theater in the Progress Energy Center in Raleigh and Sept 1-5 in Barton College’s Lauren Kennedy and Alan Campbell Theatre in Wilson.

Hot Summer Nights at the Kennedy presents DEATH AND THE MAIDEN at 8 p.m. July 28-31, 3 p.m. Aug. 1, 8 p.m. Aug. 4-7, and 3 p.m. Aug. 8 in the Sara Lynn and K.D. Kennedy, Jr. Theater in the Progress Energy Center for the Performing Arts, 2 E. South St., Raleigh, North Carolina 27601.

• TICKETS: $22 ($18 students and seniors).
• BOX OFFICE: 866/811-4111 or https://www.ovationtix.com/trs/pr/712615.
• SHOW:http://hotsummernightsatthekennedy.org/death.asp.
• VIDEO PREVIEW: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eZmJE9MlZlU&feature=player_embedded.
• PRESENTER: http://www.hotsummernightsatthekennedy.org/. VENUE:http://www.progressenergycenter.com/.
• PARKING: http://www.progressenergycenter.com/. DIRECTIONS: DIRECTIONS: http://www.hotsummernightsatthekennedy.org/directions.asp andhttp://www.progressenergycenter.com/page.php?mode=privateview&pageID=36.

OTHER LINKS:

• The Play: http://www.adorfman.duke.edu/DEATH.swf (official website), http://www.ibdb.com/show.php?ID=2995 (Internet Broadway Database), and http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0109579/ (Internet Movie Database).
• Afterword to the Original Stage Play: http://adorfman.duke.edu/pages/THEATREPAGE/pages/excerpts/death.htm (Ariel Dorfman’s website).
• The Playwright: http://www.adorfman.duke.edu/ (official website), http://www.ibdb.com/person.php?id=4221 (Internet Broadway Database), and http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0233557/ (Internet Movie Database).
• Alan Campbell: http://www.alancampbell.net/ (official website), http://www.ibdb.com/person.php?id=78100 (Internet Broadway Database), and http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0132181/ (Internet Movie Database).

Tony Award nominee Alan Campbell (Sunset Boulevard, Contact) to star in Duke Professor, Ariel Dorfman’s Death and the Maiden at Raleigh’s Kennedy Theatre

“This is one of the most fantastic and challenging plays I’ve ever been a part of,” says Campbell who will portray Gerardo Escobar in Death and the Maiden, “I feel fortunate to be able to collaborate with a friend and trusted director,” Adam Twiss and to share it with our Hot Summer Nights’ audiences.”

Twenty-five years ago, playwright and human rights activist Ariel Dorfman accepted an offer to teach at Duke University where he was named the Walter Hines Page Professor of Literature and Latin American Studies. From his Durham home he has gone on to write numerous works, including the richly acclaimed and award-winning Death and the Maiden (1992). Directed on Broadway by Mike Nichols starring Gene Hackman, Richard Dreyfus and Glenn Close (who starred in Sunset Boulevard alongside Alan Campbell); the play was later made into a feature film directed by Roman Polanski, starring Sigourney Weaver, Ben Kingsley and Stuart Wilson.

Death and the Maiden follows the story of Paulina Salas (Benji Jones), a former political activist against the military, fascist regime. She believes Dr. Roberto Miranda (David McClutchey) a guest invited to her home by her husband, is the man who once tortured her while held captive by the government. Campbell, who is also Hot Summer Nights’ Managing Director, plays Paulina’s husband Gerardo, a rising star in the newly elected, liberal, people’s government and lawyer who presides over the new government’s war criminal investigations.

Directed by Hot Summer Nights’ Associate Artistic Director/Co-Producer Adam Twiss, Death and the Maiden is a play where truth and justice hang in the balance and is one show that will keep the audience on the edge of their seat!

Death and the Maiden part of the Hot Summer Nights at the Kennedy will enjoy a two week run from July 28-August 8. All performances run Wednesday-Saturday at 8 p.m. Sunday matinees are at 3 p.m. Shows take place at the Kennedy Theatre inside the Progress Energy Center for the Performing Arts in Raleigh, NC.

Tickets are $22 for general admission and $18 for senior adults and students. Purchase tickets by calling 866-811-4111 or online through the Hot Summer Nights at the Kennedy website:www.hotsummernightsatthekennedy.org.

The Kennedy Theatre at Progress Energy Center

2 East South Street

Raleigh, NC

Kennedy Theatre entrance is on Salisbury Street around the back of Progress Energy Center.

William Henry Curry, Resident Conductor, rehearses the North Carolina Symphony and Concert Singers of Cary for the Holiday Pops Concert.

How much do two North Carolina Symphony concert tickets cost? For members of the new NCS Street Team, only a few hours.

The North Carolina Symphony is enlisting college and high school-age volunteers to help promote its upcoming classical and pops seasons. Students in Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill and the surrounding North Carolina communities who love music and want to have fun with friends while helping out the Symphony can volunteer for two hours or more and receive the opportunity to experience the brilliance of a North Carolina Symphony concert live.

Volunteers will support the Symphony by distributing flyers and providing an informative community resource during downtown Raleigh’s First Fridays, Triangle-area events or cultural gatherings where they live, visit, study and work. Ideal Street Team members will put themselves in the middle of the action, enthusiastic and eager to generate excitement about the Symphony’s upcoming season.

First-time Street Team members will receive a free T-shirt and two tickets to an upcoming Symphony concert. Continued efforts will earn volunteers additional tickets. The more you volunteer, the more Symphony you can see for free.

Volunteer opportunities will begin in early September. For complete information or to sign up for the NCS Street Team, visit ncsymphony.org/streetteam or call 919.789.5481.

Salt

The story follows title character, Evelyn Salt (Jolie), on a wild ride packed with twists and turns. Salt appears, at first, to be a loyal CIA agent; but as the plot unwinds, she is accused of being a Russian spy and questions arise as to where her loyalties lie. Salt goes on the run, eluding capture with one action packed sequence after another. Unfortunately, these action packed sequences do grow a little dry after awhile, blending together into a chaotic jumble of running, jumping, and narrowly escaping. Director Philip Noyce seems to doubt the intelligence of his viewers and instead of providing a substantially developed plot goes for lots of bangs and booms.

If, however, the viewer is able to take Salt for what it is – a fun but forgettable roller-coaster ride – it is actually quite enjoyable. The plot will leave even the most enthusiastic of action film buffs guessing until the very end. While Jolie’s acting is, as usual, quite impressive, she’s not given much to work with emotionally, making her character feel a little flat. The brief interactions she has with her husband are, by far, the most emotionally powerful scenes of the film. Schrieber’s role as her boss, Ted Winter, is quite compelling, as is the performance given by the often under-appreciated Chiwetel Ejiofor (Peabody).

This movie will obviously not be winning any Oscars, but it’s definitely a fun summer view. Theatergoers should load up on the popcorn (with plenty of salt) and sit back for 100 minutes of fluffy but enjoyable fun.

Andrea McArdle stars as Miss Hannigan

Broadway’s original Little Orphan Annie, Andrea McArdle, will star as Miss Hannigan, the bad-to-the-bone, whiskey-swilling mistress of the New York Municipal Orphanage, in North Carolina Theatre’sgala production of ANNIE, which co-stars Robert Newman as billionaire munitions manufacturer Oliver “Daddy” Warbucks. Newman is best known for playing bad boy Joshua Lewis on the CBS television daytime soap opera “Guiding Light” (1981-84, 1986-91, and 1993-2009).

“It was an exciting challenge to help create a brand-new Hannigan with Andrea McArdle,” declares North Carolina Theatre artistic director Casey Hushion. “Dorothy Loudon [of the original Broadway cast] left such an indelible impression in the role — especially for Andrea having witnessed it first-hand every night, that our task was to break free of that and find an original and unique Hannigan that belonged to Andrea.”

Hushion, who served as the assistant director of the Broadway, West End, and the National Tour productions of THE DROWSY CHAPERONE, which won five 2006 Tony Awards®, says, “The other challenge [in staging a new production of ANNIE for the 21st century] is the size and scope of a show like this — to be rehearsed and created in such a short period of time. The children, the dog — there are so many unusual components to putting an ANNIE together and we do in about 10 days!”

The NCT cast of ANNIE also includes 14-year-old Raleigh teen English Bernhardt as the plucky title character; Christy Morton as Warbucks’ devoted secretary Grace Farrell, who has a major-league crush on her boss; Joey Calveri as Miss Hannigan’s ne’er-do-well brother, Rooster, a bunko artist who foolishly targets Warbucks for his next scam; Dana Zihlman Harshaw as Rooster’s round-heeled girlfriend and not-so-bright partner in crime Lily St. Regis; Eric Michael Gillett as newly inaugurated President Franklin Delano Roosevelt, Brian Michael Hoffman as FDR’s potty-mouthed Secretary of the Interior Harold Ickes; Tom Treadwell as Warbucks’ unflappable butler Drake; and Laurel Harris as a Star to Be (who contributes a sparkling solo during the “N.Y.C.” production number).

“Annie is a spunky Depression-era orphan determined to find her parents, who abandoned her years ago on the doorstep of a New York City Orphanage run by the cruel, embittered Miss Hannigan,” notes director Casey Hushion. “In adventure after fun-filled adventure, Annie foils Miss Hannigan’s evil machinations, befriends President Franklin Delano Roosevelt, and finds a new family and home in billionaire Oliver Warbucks, his personal secretary Grace Farrell, and a lovable mutt named Sandy.”

Hushion recalls, “I remember first seeing the [1982] film of ANNIE. My father took me as a special night out, and I remember it left my giddy and breathless.”

Later, she says, “I played Annie as a young girl in community theater on Long Island, I played a maid in another production later, and I was the assistant director of a production at the Papermill Playhouse years ago.”

Originally produced by the Goodspeed Opera House of East Haddam, CT, the perennially popular musical features music by Charles Strouse, lyrics by Martin Charnin, and a book by Thomas Meehan, based on the newspaper comic strip “Little Orphan Annie” by Harold Gray (1894-1968), which first ran on Aug. 5, 1924 in the CHICAGO TRIBUNE.

ANNIE made its Broadway debut, directed by Martin Charnin and choreographed by Peter Gennaro, on April 21, 1977 at the Alvin Theatre; later transferred to the ANTA Playhouse, then the Eugene O’Neill Theatre, and finally the Uris Theatre; and racked up a combined total of 2,377 performances before closing on Jan. 2, 1983. The show’s original cast included Andrea McArdle as Annie, Reid Shelton as Daddy Warbucks, Dorothy Loudon as Miss Hannigan, Robert Fitch as Rooster Hannigan, Sandy Faison as Grace Farrell, and Barbara Erwin as Lily St. Regis. ANNIE won the 1977 Tony Awards® for Best Musical, Best Original Score, Best Book of a Musical, Best Choreography, Best Actress in a Musical (Dorothy Loudon), Best Scenic Design (David Mitchell), and Best Costume Design (Theoni V. Aldredge), plus the 1977 Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Musical.

The 1982 motion-picture version of ANNIE, directed by John Huston from a screenplay by Carol Sobieski, starred Aileen Quinn as Annie, Albert Finney as Daddy Warbucks, Carol Burnett as Miss Hannigan, Tim Curry as Rooster Hannigan, Ann Reinking as Grace Farrell, and Bernadette Peters as Lily St. Regis. The film received two 1983 Academy Award nominations: for Best Music, Original Song Score and Its Adaptation or Best Adaptation Score (Ralph Burns) and for Best Art Direction/Set Decoration (Dale Hennesy and Marvin March).

“ANNIE is one of the great classics of musical theater,” claims director Casey Hushion. “I respect and admire the show so very much. It is so rich; the story is so honest and true; the musical is so undeniable. I love the challenge of taking a familiar classic and trying to figure out how to breathe new life into it and how to keep the heart of the story fresh and real.”

A New York University graduate, Casey Hushion has previously directed more than a dozen show’s for the Raleigh-based regional theater, including THE KING AND I (2004), starring Lou Diamond Phillips, and JEKYLL & HYDE (2004), starring Sebastian Bach; JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT (2005); THE WIZARD OF OZ (2006); CHESS (2007); and Yeston and Kopit’s PHANTOM (2008).

In addition to director Casey Hushion, the North Carolina Theatre creative team for ANNIE includes producer Carolee Baxter; assistant director Heather Patterson King; choreographer Vince Pesce, musical director Edward G. Robinson; technical director Bill Yates, Jr.; lighting designer Craig Stelzenmuller; costume designer Ann M. Bruskiewitz; properties manager Laurie Johnson; sound designerShannon Slaton; and stage manager William Alan Coats.

The show’s scenery was originally designed by Kenneth Foy for Atlanta’s Theater of the Stars and built by Pittsburgh CLO’s Construction Center for the Arts. Costumes were also provided by Costume World Theatrical of Deerfield Beach, FL; and the show’s animal performers were trained by William Berloni Theatrical Animals, Inc.

Director Casey Hushion says, “The set contains some of the classic cartoonish ANNIE elements, while also creating an authentic true-to-life feel. It was important to me that our version felt honest and real. The set itself is gorgeous, and I like how it illustrates the disparity between the classes.”

She adds, “[In] our lighting design[, w]e are also aspiring to capture a real authenticity — less modern lighting and more classic musical theater. Hard edged spot lights, even vaudevillian when appropriate.

“This costume design in remarkably broad and versatile,” Hushion explains. “We have the wealthiest tycoon in the nation and his staff alongside scruffy ragamuffin orphans. All the classic costumes are represented, of course — the iconic red Annie dress, Warbucks in his elegant tuxedo.”

Moreover, says director Casey Hushion, “We have the original Annie, Andrea McArdle, starring as Hannigan and Robert Newman, known as Josh from ‘Guiding Light,’ starring as Warbucks. The children are remarkably talented and have all been trained professionally by the best of the best, right here at the North Carolina Theatre Conservatory.”

SECOND OPINION: July 18th Raleigh, NC NEWS & OBSERVER preview: http://www.newsobserver.com/2010/07/18/584403/we-got-annie-and-andrea-too.html.

The North Carolina Theatre presents ANNIE, starring Andrea McArdle as Miss Hannigan, at 7 p.m. July 23 Target Student Preview Night, 8 p.m. July 24, 2 p.m. July 25, 8 p.m. July 27-30, 2 and 8 p.m. July 31, and 2 and 7 2 p.m. August 1 in Raleigh Memorial Auditorium in the Progress Energy Center for the Performing Arts, 2 E. South St., Raleigh, North Carolina 27601.

• TICKETS: $31-$76.
• BOX OFFICE: NCT Box Office: 919/831-6941.
• Ticketmaster: 800/745-3000, 919/834-4000
• GROUP RATES (10+ tickets): dmullins@nctheatre.com orhttp://nctheatre.com/theatre/group_sales.html.
• SHOW: http://www.nctheatre.com/theatre/annie.html.
• PRESENTER: http://www.nctheatre.com/.
• VENUE: http://www.progressenergycenter.com/.
• DIRECTIONS/PARKING: http://nctheatre.com/theatre/directions_parking.html.
• NOTE 1: There will be a special $10-per-person Student Preview Night performance on Friday, July 23rd, starting at 7 p.m. and followed by a question-and-answer session featuring members of the cast and crew. Students and educators with ID may reserve tickets by telephoning 919/831-6941, ext. 6944, and pick them up at Will Call, starting at 6 p.m. For more information about Student Preview Night: http://nctheatre.com/conservatory/student_preview_night.html.
• NOTE 2: Arts Access, Inc. of Raleigh, NC (http://www.artsaccessinc.org/) will audio-describe the 2 p.m. July 31st performance.

OTHER LINKS:

The Musical: http://www.mtishows.com/show_detail.asp?showid=000005 (Music Theatre International), http://www.ibdb.com/show.php?id=1613 (Internet Broadway Database), and http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0083564/ (Internet Movie Database).

• The Official “Little Orphan Annie” Home Page: http://www.stuartliss.com/loahp/.
• Andrea McArdle: http://www.myspace.com/theandreamcardle (official website), http://www.ibdb.com/person.php?id=76718 (Internet Broadway Database), and http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0564083/ (Internet Movie Database).
• Robert Newman: http://www.ornfc.com/news.htm (Official Robert Newman Fan Club) and http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0628242/ (Internet Movie Database).