The Drama Starts Here...

The Drowsy Chaperone Comes to Greenville’s Peace Center

The five-time Tony Award® winning musical, The Drowsy Chaperone, will play Greenville for a limited one-week engagement.

The most celebrated musical of the 2006 Broadway season, The Drowsy Chaperone, a completely original musical comedy, is coming to The Peace Center from May 13th through May 18th. The show is directed and choreographed by Tony Award® nominee Casey Nicholaw (Spamalot) with music and lyrics by Tony Award® winners Lisa Lambert and Greg Morrison.

The Drowsy Chaperone tells the story of a modern day musical theater addict known simply as “Man in Chair.” To chase his blues away, he drops the needle on his favorite LP – the 1928 musical comedy, The Drowsy Chaperone. From the crackle of his hi-fi, the musical magically bursts to life on stage telling the tale of a pampered Broadway starlet who wants to give up show business to get married, her producer who sets out to sabotage the nuptials, her chaperone, the debonair groom, the dizzy chorine, the Latin lover and a pair of gangsters who double as pastry chefs. Man in Chair’s love of The Drowsy Chaperone speaks to anyone who has ever been transported by the theater.

Canadian actor Jonathan Crombie, who is widely known for playing Gilbert Blythe in the popular "Anne of Green Gables" movies, plays the musical-loving Man in Chair. Georgia Engel ("The Mary Tyler Moore Show" and "Everybody Loves Raymond") will reprise her role of Mrs. Tottendale for the tour. Joining them are Cliff Bemis (Feldzieg), Andrea Chamberlain (Janet Van De Graaff), Robert Dorfman (Underling), Fran Jaye (Trix), Mark Ledbetter (Robert Martin), Marla Mindelle (Kitty), James Moye (Aldolpho), Nancy Opel (The Drowsy Chaperone), Paul Riopelle (Gangster #1), Peter Riopelle (Gangster #2), and Richard Vida (George). Rounding out the cast are Megan Nicole Arnoldy, Kevin Crewell, Tiffany Haas, Alicia Irving, Jody Madaras, Chuck Rea, Mason Roberts and Jennifer Swiderski.

The Drowsy Chaperone received more Tony Awards® than any other musical of the 2006 season, including Best Book (Bob Martin and Don McKellar); Original Score (Lisa Lambert and Greg Morrison), Costume Design (Gregg Barnes) and Scenic Design (David Gallo). The creative team for The Drowsy Chaperone also includes lighting design by Ken Billington (Chicago) and Brian Monahan, sound design by Acme Sound Partners, orchestrations by Larry Blank, dance and incidental music arrangements by Glen Kelly, and music director/vocal arrangements by Phil Reno.

The Drowsy Chaperone is produced by Kevin McCollum, Roy Miller, Bob Boyett, Stephanie McClelland, Barbara Freitag and Jill Furman.

The Drowsy Chaperone at The Peace Center May 13th – 18th is part of the Greenville News Broadway Series and is sponsored by WSPA-TV News Channel 7.

The Drowsy Chaperone will play in Greenville for only 8 performances between the 8th and 13th of May at The Peace Center. Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, showtimes at 7:30 pm. Fridays and Saturdays, show starts at 8 pm, and there will be a 2 pm matinee on Saturday and Sunday.  Tickets start at $50 and can be purchased online at www.peacecenter.org, or by calling 864-467-3000 or 1-800-888-7768.

Riders in the Sky

The Grammy Award-winning "Comedy & Western" group, Riders In The Sky, will bring their legendary family friendly show to The Peace Center on June 4. 

Celebrating their 30th Anniversary, Riders In The Sky are stars of the stage and screen, and are the only exclusively Western artist to have won a Grammy Award—winning Best Musical Album for Children in 2001 and 2003 for Woody's Roundup Featuring Riders In The Sky (based on the film classic, Toy Story 2) and Monsters Inc.—Scream Factory Favorites respectively.

For thirty years, Riders In The Sky have been keepers of the flame passed on by the Sons of the Pioneers, Gene Autry and Roy Rogers, reviving and revitalizing Western music. While remaining true to the integrity of the genre, they themselves have become modern-day icons by branding it with their own legendary wacky humor and way-out Western wit, all along encouraging buckaroos and buckarettes of all ages to live life "The Cowboy Way!"

Throughout their exceptional career, Riders In The Sky have been honored regularly.  In addition to being inducted into the Grand Ole Opry, Riders In The Sky are in the Western Music Association's Hall of Fame, the Country Music Foundation's Walkway of Stars, and the Walk of Western Stars (in Newhall, CA near Melody Ranch Studios) along with Gene, Roy, John Wayne and other cowboy legends.  No less important than their two Grammies, Riders In The Sky have been the Western Music Association's "Entertainers Of the Year" six times.

Join Riders In The Sky for "30 Years The Cowboy Way" at The Peace Center June 4th! There will be only one performance, so get your tickets early by visiting www.peacecenter.org or calling 864-467-3000 or 1-800-888-7768.

“For The Love of Dolly”

Dolly Parton is the most successful female country artist in history. Her Hall of Fame career includes a record 42 top country albums, 7 Grammy awards, 10 Country Music Awards and many more! Dolly Parton is more than a country singer… she is a way of life!

Throughout her hallowed career, Dolly has shown a rare ability to connect with people.

FOR THE LOVE OF DOLLY, a new DVD release from Wolfe Video, takes you into the hearts and homes of Dolly’s most avid followers. Exploring fandom and obsession, the film takes a poignant and heartfelt look at people who devote themselves to this superstar. Although very different, the people in this film share a common purpose - their love of Dolly and a need to be close to her.

The DVD features include the trailer and a featurette entitled “Dolly Fans from Around the World.” Variety calls the DVD “An intimate glimpse at adoring fans of country-pop songstress Dolly Parton.” Outfest calls it “Clever, accomplished documentary… Takes viewers on an intimate ride not only through Dollywood but also into the psyches of her most fiercely loyal fans.”

Hilarious, Home Grown Sketch Comedy Moves Uptown 

Robot Johnson, Charlotte’s premiere underground sketch comedy troupe, is moving on up -- to Uptown Charlotte, in fact – thanks to a new partnership with the Blumenthal Performing Arts Center. The group will perform The Robot Johnson Show Friday and Saturday nights at 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. from May 16 – 31 in the Duke Energy Theatre (at Spirit Square). Each weekend will feature a different show, giving sketch comedy fans good reason to come back for more.  

Featuring a battle-tested combination of former Perch Sketch Comedy Group cast members, theater artists and stand-up veterans, the group is led by Sean Keenan (who created MTV’s Talking Baby) and Blaine Miller (formerly of The Perch Sketch Comedy Group). Robot Johnson, which has performed at the Charlotte Comedy Theatre since December, promises to provide “good humor by bad people”. With characters that range from an urban pirate to a foul-mouthed talking baby, Robot Johnson hopes to bring humor center stage in the Queen City.
 
Director of Theatrical Programming Douglas Young sees the group’s move as a natural fit for the Blumenthal Performing Arts Center. “Much like the Center has done with Charlotte Squawks and SlamCharlotte, our partnership with Robot Johnson allows us to offer more diverse programming to our growing audience while also nurturing local talent,” he says.  

The popularity of recent comedy events at the Blumenthal Performing Arts Center also suggests that Charlotte is ready for more big laughs. "Based on our success presenting The Second City, I think that The Robot Johnson Show will particularly appeal to people in their 20s and 30s, who are looking for uptown entertainment options on Friday and Saturday nights," says Young. 

The cast of 13 includes talented comedians, writers, and actors but Robot Johnson’s most notorious character is the Talking Baby. Originally conceived as part of a comedy sketch entitled “The Critics,” the Talking Baby quickly became a cult sensation that caught the eye of a local advertising agency, and in 2003, the Talking Baby became a pitchman for MTV2.  

The Talking Baby will be making his triumphant return at the very first performance in the Duke Energy Theatre, a fact that should make Charlotte comedy fans ecstatic. Robot Johnson founder and producer – and Mr. Baby’s creator – Sean Keenan couldn’t be happier. “I’ve missed that foul-mouthed puppet,” says Keenan. “And I know he’ll be glad to get out of that drawer he’s been occupying for the last couple of years.”  After a short sabbatical, Sean Keenan’s infant alter-ego will surely be ripping into Hugh Jackman, Lindsay Lohan, and anyone else who’s made a movie since he’s been gone.   

General Admission tickets cost $15 and are available for purchase online at BlumenthalCenter.org, by phone at (704) 372-1000 or in person at the Performing Arts Center box office in Founders Hall.  

Atlanta ‘Normal Heart’ reading features Gay and Lesbian Celebrities

An all-star cast of openly gay and lesbian celebrities will be featured in a reading of Larry Kramer’s path-breaking The Normal Heart, among the first plays to deal with the then-still-emerging AIDS pandemic.  This one-night-only reading of the play will benefit Emory University’s Vaccine Center (www.vaccines.emory.edu) on Monday, May 12, at 8 p.m. at the home of the AIDS Memorial Quilt.

This benefit reading of the seminal 1985 play stars Mitchell Anderson (Party of Five), Dan Butler (Frasier), Peter Paige (Queer as Folk), and Amanda Bearse (Married with Children).  Bearse, who along with Anderson and Butler were among the first celebrities who starred in prime time network shows at the time they came out, is also directing the show.

The Emory Vaccine Center and Action Cycling Atlanta (www.actioncycling.org), in conjunction with The Names Project (www.AIDSQuilt.org), which is the custodian of the AIDS Quilt, is presenting the event at the Names Project’s AIDS Memorial Quilt Building in Atlanta (637 Hoke Street NW, Atlanta, GA 30318-4315).  Portions of the AIDS Quilt will be on display, surrounding the actors, during the reading.

The Normal Heart is a searing drama about the beginnings of the AIDS epidemic and the formation of the nation’s first AIDS service organization.  The play was originally staged at New York’s Public Theatre on April 21, 1985.  It is a tale of the fear, denial, anger, love, and, ultimately, heroism of those whose lives were forever changed during those first terrifying years of the AIDS crisis.  It is especially poignant now, when twenty three years later 40,000 Americans a year become infected with HIV disease.

“More than 20 years later, those who still live with HIV and AIDS and those who are diagnosed every day find hope in research facilities like the Emory Vaccine Center, whose groundbreaking work will soon enter the second phase human trials,” says Mitchell Anderson, who is now Atlanta-based and who is the proprietor of MetroFresh Café.  He continues to act periodically.

A limited number of tickets are available for the reading.  $60 tickets enable attendees to attend the show and enjoy beer and wine.  $80 tickets include reserved preferred seating for the show, as well as beer and wine.  For an additional $20, attendees can enjoy a picnic dinner from MetroFresh Café.  The picnic dinner and drinks begin at 6:30 p.m.; those coming for pre-show beer and wine only should arrive by 7:30; the curtain goes up at 8 p.m.

For tickets and further information, please visit www.actioncycling.org or www.xorbia.com/tickets/heart. 

"For the Bible Tells Me So"

Can the love between two people ever be an abomination? Is the chasm separating gays and lesbians and Christianity too wide to cross? Is the Bible an excuse to hate?

These are just a few of the questions filmmaker Daniel Karslake addresses with his award-winning documentary film "For the Bible Tells Me So." Through the experiences of five very normal, very Christian, very American families -- including those of former House Majority Leader Richard Gephardt and Episcopal Bishop Gene Robinson -- we discover how insightful people of faith handle the realization of having a gay child.

This is the second showing of this film in western North Carolina, and we've had a high demand to bring it to Asheville! Seating is limited, and tickets will be given at the door on a first-come, first-serve basis. Doors open at 6 p.m., so feel free to arrive early, and enjoy some refreshments and good company before the film. Show starts at 7 p.m. Keep you ticket for our door prize drawings after the film!

This is also a benefit for PFLAG-Asheville, so bring your checkbooks! (Or spare couch change.) PFLAG operates on a limited budget, and a lot of people in our community depend on us to provide resources for their family members, friends, students and patients. Your donation can also help us bring more events like this to Asheville!

PFLAG-Asheville offers monthly support groups, social events, and educational community speakers to raise awareness about gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender issues. For more information about "The Bible Tells Me So," please visit the film's website: www.forthebibletellsmeso.org.

Antipasto! A Sicilian Celebration

The play -- written by Steve Scionti (a former Middletown, Connecticut resident) and James Shanta, directed by Shanta, and performed by Scionti -- brings to life all the passion, comedy and drama inherent in a Sicilian-American family.

ANTIPASTO! (translation: "before the meal") A Sicilian Celebration is set against the backdrop of a post-funeral gathering to celebrate the life of Scionti's grandfather, Angelo Morello (who owned Angleo's Shoe Repair on Main Street in Middletown).

Taking us through the funeral day's events, Scionti paints a theatrical family portrait in a series of humorous and poignant vignettes. Scionti transforms himself into various family members and friends, jumping back and forth through time to milestone moments on his journey into adulthood. Eight characters are portrayed in all, including his grandfather; his father Sebastiano; his mother Rosetta; brother Antonio; uncles Amadeo and Manny; Jerry, the local neighborhood pizza-maker; and Brother Connelly, a teacher from Xavier High School in Middletown.

"Family goes across all racial and ethnic lines. You don't have to be Italian to enjoy this show," states Scionti, and Alvin Klein of The New York Times agrees, adding, "...though Mr. Scionti makes you think you are. By the time the tale of Angelo Morello has been told, you know that flights of angles truly sang him to his rest."

Beginning at the Zephyr Theater in Los Angles, CA, Antipasto! A Sicilian Celebration (formerly titled "Life's A Pizza" and "The Gathering - U Cunzulu") has played to sold-out performances in Los Angeles, Westchester, and New York City. While in LA the show garnered two Drama-Logue Critics Awards (for Best Performance and Best Writing) and was chosen for presentation at the prestigious HBO Workshop.

Actor and co-playwright, Steve Scionti, most recently completed the lead role of Freddy opposite "Ralph Macchio" in the critically acclaimed off Broadway play "Magic Hands Freddy" at the Soho Playhouse. Mr. Scionti also completed the role of Salvatore in the Film "Late Watch" where it premiered at the "Tribecia-Film Festival". Other film credits include "The Borough of Kings" staring "Olympia Dukakis", "The Glass Jar" staring "C. Thomas Howell", "The Sleepless" staring "Shawn Andrews" (star of the hit film "Dazed and Confused") and The Walt Disney production, "Invisible Dad", opposite "Karen Black". Other theater credits include productions of "A Chorus Line", "West Side Story", and "Fiddler on the Roof".

Mr. Scionti is a graduate of the Boston Conservatory of music, dance and theatre. He made his Broadway debut as the Announcer in "Legs Diamond" starring the late "Peter Allen". He dedicates Antipasto! A Sicilian Celebration, the reason for which this play came to be, in loving memory to his grandfather, Angelo Morello.

Antipasto! A Sicilian Celebration will run from May 30 until June 8 at The Warehouse Theatre. For more information, or tickets, visit www.warehousetheatre.org.