Jeffrey Kare - Page 6

Originating from the 2013 collaborative album by Steve Martin and Edie Brickell titled Love Has Come for You, Bright Star tells a sweeping tale of love and redemption set against the rich backdrop in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina in the 1920s and '40s. The musical was inspired by the true story of a five-day-old baby who fell approximately 50 feet from a train into Big River in Irondale, Missouri on August 14th, 1902.

Tim Rice & Andrew Lloyd Webber's Jesus Christ Superstar is a rock opera that tells the story of the final week in the life of Jesus Christ. It begins with the preparation for the arrival of Jesus and his disciples in Jerusalem and ends with the crucifixion. It also highlights the political and interpersonal struggles between Jesus and one of his 12 apostles, Judas Iscariot that are not present in the Bible narratives.

Coming to the Durham Performing Arts Center from May 1st-6th is the national touring production of Waitress. I recently had the great pleasure of interviewing actress Desi Oakley, who stars as Jenna Hunterson.

Based on Victor Fleming's 1939 film musical of the same name as well as L. Frank Baum's 1900 novel, The Wizard of Oz (of course) follows Dorothy Gale, a young girl who lives on a farm in Kansas with her dog, Toto, until a cyclone arrives, picks up her house, and blows them away to the land of Oz. Things in Oz are strange and beautiful, but Dorothy just wants to go home. She's helped by the Good Witch of the North, but she's also in trouble with the Wicked Witch of the West, who seeks revenge for the death of her sister; the Wicked Witch of the East, for which she blames Dorothy.

Based on Gaston Leroux's 1910 horror novel of the same name, The Phantom of the Opera follows a deformed composer who haunts the grand Paris Opera House. Sheltered from the outside world in an underground cavern, the lonely, romantic man tutors and composes operas for Christine Daae, a gorgeous young soprano star-to-be. As Christine's star rises, and a handsome suitor from her past enters the picture, the Phantom grows mad, terrorizing the opera house owners and company with his murderous ways. Still, Christine finds herself drawn to the mystery man.

Coming back to the Durham Performing Arts Center from February 28th-March 11th is the new national touring production of The Phantom of the Opera! I recently had the great pleasure of interviewing actress Eva Tavares, who stars in the iconic role of Christine Daae.

Based on Roger Corman's 1960 black comedy of the same name, Little Shop of Horrors follows Seymour Krelborn, a meek floral assistant who stumbles across a new breed of plant that he names 'Audrey II' after a coworker he has a crush on. This foul-mouthed, R&B-singing carnivore promises unending fame and fortune to the down-and-out Krelborn, as long as he keeps feeding it blood. Over time, though, Seymour discovers Audrey II's out-of-this-world origins and intent toward global domination!

During my recent conversation with artistic director Patrick Torres, I got to be one of the first to hear about Raleigh Little Theatre's upcoming 2018-19 season.

Based on Victor Hugo's 1862 novel of the same name, Les Miserables tells the story of an ex-convict who after serving nineteen years in prison for stealing a loaf of bread, goes on a quest for redemption. When a kind bishop inspires him by a tremendous act of mercy, the ex-convict known as Jean Valjean breaks his parole as he decides to start his life anew. As time goes on, Valjean has relentlessly been pursued by a ruthless police inspector, hoping to bring him to justice. Though along the way, a group of young idealists make their last stand at a street barricade during a revolutionary period in France.

Coming to the Durham Performing Arts Center for the very first time from January 30th-February 4th is the national touring production of the world's longest-running musical, LES MISERABLES. I recently had the great pleasure of interviewing actor Joshua Grosso, who stars in the iconic role of Marius.

Love Letters centers on two characters, Melissa Gardner & Andrew Makepeace Ladd III, as they sit at tables side by side to read the notes, letters and cards they've wrote to each other over the course of 50 years. Within the letters, the two characters discuss their hopes and ambitions, dreams and disappointments, victories and defeats that have passed between them throughout their separated lives.

From January 12th-21st, North Carolina Theatre will be presenting A.R. Gurney's LOVE LETTERS at the A.J. Fletcher Opera Theater. I recently had the great pleasure of stopping by rehearsal to interview the stars of this production, two-time Emmy nominee Sandy Duncan and Ira David Wood III.

On Your Feet! tells the true story of how a record-making and groundbreaking couple who, in the face of adversity, found a way to make it happen. From their humble beginnings in Cuba, Emilio and Gloria Estefan came to America and broke through all barriers to become a crossover sensation at the very top of the pop music world.

Lauren Kennedy started her career at the North Carolina Theatre, having performed in many of their productions since she was 7 years old. She went on to appear on Broadway in Sunset Boulevard (original cast), Side Show (original cast), Les Miserables (Fantine), and Monty Python's Spamalot (The Lady of the Lake). Her other performing credits include Betty Schaefer in Sunset Boulevard (first national tour), Judy Haines in Irving Berlin's White Christmas (World Premiere), Cathy Hiatt in The Last Five Years (World Premiere), Nellie Forbush in South Pacific (London), Holly Golightly in Breakfast at Tiffany's (St. Louis MUNY), Nefertari in The Ten Commandments (Los Angeles), Agnes Ford in Lone Star Love (World Premiere), Mary in Vanities (Pasadena Playhouse/Second Stage Theater), Martha Jefferson in 1776 (Paper Mill Playhouse), and The Witch in Into the Woods (Westport Country Playhouse).

Based on Richard Linklater's 2003 film of the same name, School of Rock follows Dewey Finn, a down-on-his-luck wannabe rock star who poses as a substitute teacher at a prestigious prep school. When he discovers his students' musical talents, he enlists his fifth-graders to form a rock group and conquer the Battle of the Bands.

Loosely based on the 1957 memoir by renowned stripetease artist Gypsy Rose Lee, Gypsy follows the dreams and efforts of her mother, Rose, who raises two daughters to perform onstage and casts an affectionate eye on the hardships of show business life. The idea to musicalize this story came about when producer David Merrick read a chapter of Lee's memoirs in Harper's Magazine. From there, he quickly got in touch with her in order to obtain the rights.

From November 14th-19th, North Carolina Theatre will be presenting one of great works of the American musical theatre, Gypsy at the Raleigh Memorial Auditorium. I recently had the great pleasure of stopping by rehearsal to interview actor, Sidney DuPont, who will be appearing in the production as Tulsa.

When I last met with these characters 'Under the Sea', I was only starting to cover theatrical events in the Triangle area. Now over three years later, I have more experience, so let's take another dive, shall we? Based on the 1989 Disney animated classic of the same name as well as the classic Hans Christian Andersen fairy tale, The Little Mermaid tells the story about a young mermaid who dreams of the world above the sea and gives up her beautiful voice to find her true love.