Oh, you better believe it, baby! Back by overwhelming demand the demand to be overwhelming, Whole Theatre is hosting 24/7 the January.
Wanna be involved; wanna see the show(s), well, Stay Tuned, as they say, (or email Ray at WholeTheatre.org) for more info.
Stepping out of the Whole Theatre and into the friendly Live Arts Theatre, Ray Nedzel, has directed a wonderful, Virginia Premiere of the Broadway Sensation, The Drowsy Chaperone.
The Musical, The Drowsy Chaperone, has already one 5 Tony Awards.
This play has it roots in comedy improv, just like Ray. So it’s a perfect match. And while, currently, Whole Theatre is not be looking to aquire the rights to a big out of town musical, it’s a perfect show for Live Arts and Ray is happily overwhelmed by all the talent working on this show.
Get tickets here: www.LiveArts.org or 434-977-4177
From the Director:
OK. People usually don’t just burst into song. People usually don’t spontaneously dance. But should they?
Marianne Williamson wrote, “Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.” But more on that later.
The Drowsy Chaperone is “a musical within a comedy.” And, really, aren’t we all? I mean, aren’t we all both a divine comedy and a spectacular sensation waiting to take over. I mean, life’s a funny thing; but it’s better with music.
And it’s better with dance. And it’s better with friends.
The Drowsy Chaperone started in Toronto in 1997 as a spoof of 1928 musicals. It was first performed, in a much shorter skit-like format, as a gift at the bachelor party of Bob Martin. It was just a bunch of friends, performers and goofballs poking fun at each other and the world of theatre. Nearly nine years (and countless rewrites) later, those friends turned that skit into a show, took that show to Broadway, and won five Tony Awards in 2006.
Along the way the show became a gem. And, I think it did because it’s funny, because it’s very musical, because it doesn’t take itself too seriously, and because it is full of friends – real and imagined.
The Drowsy Chaperone, as you’ll see it tonight, is still a spoof of musicals (1928, by the way, holds the record for the most Broadway openings). But it’s also a funny little story of hope. A little pick me up, for when you’re feeling blue.
What if, what if we had the power to bring our dreams to life? What if we had the confidence to dance full tilt? What if we had the strength to look our loved ones in the eyes, and sing?
That, to me, is the American Musical. And that is powerful beyond measure.
So, as you stumble along, as you walk down the street and see someone burst into song, don’t think to yourself, “that dude must be crazy”; rather, sing out loud. “Climb Every Mountain!” “Dream the Impossible Dream!”
Then, dance!
Cry of the Mountain in the Blue Ridge Summer Theatre Festival 2011.
June 1-5
Babcock Theatre, Sweet Briar College
Written for young audiences by Endstation’s resident playwright, Josh Mikel, this original play debuted at the New York International Fringe Festival in 2010 and is coming into a school near you. A bad, bad Idol challenges good, good Rosa with a series of impossible tasks — but what happens when she starts doing the impossible?! This wildly inventive adventure finds that sometimes family and good goodness can be found in the most unlikely of places.
June 9-12
Babcock Gallery, Sweet Briar College
Endstation is proud to host Charlottesville’s Whole Theatre and their original production of Cry of the Mountain. This one-woman show, which was conceived and is performed by the talented Adelind Horan, tackles the complex issue of mountaintop coal removal in the Appalachian Mountains. Accompanied by live music, Adelind potrays 13 individuals impacted by mountaintop coal removal that she personally interviewed in Appalachian coal country.
June 22 – July 3
Babcock Theatre, Sweet Briar College
This most American of musicals lays bare the lives of nine infamous historical figures, who forged their way into our history books for their assassinations (or attempted assassinations) of some of our American presidents. Assassins explores the American experience in profound and startling ways, with a musical score by one of the most accomplished musical theatre composers, Stephen Sondheim.
July 9 -24
Sweet Briar College Grounds
Commonly regarded as Shakespeare’s best comedy, this hysterical play is filled with mistaken identities, romance, and a little cross-dressing. Endstation will stage this hilarious comedy at Sweet Briar’s old train station, utilizing a stunning mountain vista as its backdrop. Each night, audiences will enjoy a beautiful sunset while watching the tale unfold.
Do you hear it this morning. If you missed it, listen to Weekend Virginia this weekend. www.wvtf.org.
Addie and Ray were interviewed by Sandy Hausman ( Charlottesville Offices of Radio IQ/NPR) for a news segment during the week and a short feature peice for Weekend Virginia.
Nancy set this up. Thanks, Nancy.
We had some wonderful banjo back up by Bud Branch. more here: http://budbranch.com/
Oh, yes, when it airs it, when the interview is posted; we’ll link it here.
See you at the Hamner shows this weekend.
Yes, yes, and yes. 3 more shows at the Hamner Theatre in Nelson County.
Get you tickets now. The Hamner Theatre Box Office: 434-361-1999
The weekend before check out Performers Exchange Project in their wonderful show, Our American Anne Sisters. (more info here).
July was fun. A freakin’ total sell out. Each show in July sold out. Even the extra show added, sold out.
Well, we know we’re not Dave Matthews, but we also understand that more shows are required. So, look for in September, most likely at the Hamner Theatre and maybe elsewhere too.
What can you do now? go to iLoveMountains.org is a good start.
Go see, 13 at Live Arts; go see Alice in Wonderland at Four County Players; go see the cabarets and other things at The Hamner Theatre; and get ready for Yankee Tavern at Play On.
Thanks for coming to the show.
More info about show:
Here’s the deal. Go to Play On! now, and get tickets.
Because this is the last show of the summer and if you miss it, and all your cool friends are talking about it, all you will be able to say, is oh, yeah, I really wanted to go to see that show, but i didn’t get tickets and then every show was sold out and I’m so bummed.
Great time to get tix for other upcoming shows at Play On too:
Kindly reminding you to do it. playontheatre.org
Oh, wait, it IS the sleeper hit of the season. Why. Well…
“Here we have simple, engrossing theater in the form of a one-woman performance…”
“That which comes from the heart goes to the heart.”
quoting Cris Edwards who is quoting David Mamet who may have been quoting Samuel Taylor Coleridge.
BTW, I like a review with the word “bullshit” in the first sentence.
Read it in C-ville Weekly
http://www.c-ville.com/index.php?cat=1990812060534937&ShowArticle_ID=11801907104322781
Cry of the Mountain! By popular demand, meaning all these shows are selling out, and folks want to see it, and so another show has been added:
Call or order online now: 434-977-4177
All shows listed here: www.wholetheatre.org/mountain
Well, we can’t say for sure, yet; but since the first two shows have sold out, even after squeezin’ in more chairs…. we’d recommend gettin’ your Hamner tickets now. Click the image to the right.
And today, July 10th, is Earl Hamner’s birthday.
Rock on Nelson County! Save the Mountains.